Friday morning of February 1st, I am scheduled to have a CT of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis. My hope is that this scan would show me in remission. I don't know why I'm always a bit anxious when I go in for these tests, but I am. Please, remember me in prayer for that day, especially. That I would have the peace of the Holy Spirit which surpasses all understanding. God Most High remains Sovereign, and my desire is to accept what He deems is best for my life. Thank you.

18th Treatment at the Block Center

During yesterday's trip to the Block Center, Dr. Keith Block met with and examined Cathy. All of her vital signs and blood work continue to be within acceptable ranges. (Such a simple sentence to type - yet we are profoundly grateful to God!)

It was a fascinating study into how his mind works, because, Dr Block thinks out loud! Not only did he cover all the current side effects with Cathy but he also sought to look at the entire picture of her treatment moving forward. Philosophically, Dr Block believes this is why they do so well with patients. Yes, he has a remission protocol in place, however, he also needs to consider the "safety nets." What should happen if her liver stops improving? What should happen if the bone tests reveal something? He shared some of the latest research and blood work available to establish a good baseline as they diligently monitor and treat Cathy's cancer.  

I'm sure Cathy felt like her head was spinning from the amount of information that Dr Block was sharing. Please continue to pray that God would direct her treatment plan. Pray for grace to endure the side effects, maintain a proper diet, be diligent in exercise, get beneficial sleep, serve her husband and children and swallow all of those daily supplements.

Also be in prayer for the future of the Block Center as they negotiate the current economy, changes in health care, risings costs of pharmaceuticals and lower reimbursement rates. Pray that God will give them wisdom and that this wonderful medical center will be able to keep it's doors open.

We are also looking ahead at the out of pocket medical expenses for Cathy during 2013. If you would like to help or have any questions, please call me.

One year ago - was our first trip to the Block Center. All praise and glory to God!!

Gratefully, Lori
260-459-0254

A New Semester

Dear Friends,

       Since a new semester has started during this school year, I would like to share an excerpt from a devotion written by Elisabeth Elliot titled "God's Curriculum";

There is a philosophy of secular education which holds that the student ought to be allowed to assemble his own curriculum according to his preferences. Few students have a strong basis for making these choices, not knowing how little they know. Ideas of what they need to learn are not only greatly limited but greatly distorted. What they need is help from those who know more than they do.

Mercifully, God does not leave us to choose our own curriculum. His wisdom is perfect, His knowledge embraces not only all worlds but the individual hearts and minds of each of His loved children. With intimate understanding of our deepest needs and individual capacities, He chooses our curriculum. We need only ask, "Give us this day our daily bread, our daily lessons, our homework."

 An angry retort from someone may be just the occasion we need in which we learn not only long-suffering and forgiveness, but meekness and gentleness; fruits not born in us but borne only by the Spirit. As Amy Carmichael wrote, "A cup brimful of sweetness cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, no matter how suddenly jarred."

God's curriculum for all who sincerely want to know Him and do His will, will always include lessons we wish we could skip. But the more we apply ourselves, the more honestly we can say what the psalmist said:
"I, thy servant, will study thy statutes./ Thy instruction is my continual delight;/ I turn to it for counsel./ I will run the course set out in thy commandments,/ for they gladden my heart" (Psalm 119: 23, 24, 32 NEB).

Thank you for visiting Cathy's blog site.
Gratefully, Lori

17th Treatment at the Block Center

Once again, we drove to Chicago on January 2, 2013. It was a beautiful, crisp morning and the sunrise over the wintry farmland was a sight to behold.

All of Cathy's vital signs continue to be within normal ranges. She may dispute this matter since she has added a couple of pounds in weight gain, but this is one side effect from her ongoing hormone therapy.

The "biggest side effect" that Cathy experiences is overall achiness and stiffness. Jen, at the Block Center attributes this to the drug, Arimidex. Please pray that Cathy will be relieved of these symptoms or given the strength to endure them according to God's good wisdom.

Unless scans show otherwise, Cathy will continue with her Arimidex/Lupron/Herceptin treatment plan.

The traffic was so good and the treatments were so quick that we arrived back in Fort Wayne by 4 pm. That is an all time record for us!  

Gratefully, Lori

The day is yours, and yours also the night;
you established the sun and moon.
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter.      Psalm 74: 16-17 

Wow! 2013 already. Why is it when we are in the thick of things, the passage of time seems slow? And, yet, when the new year dawns, that same passage of time seems to have happened all too quickly. Not that I'd want to relive the chemo again, mind you.

Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for all the prayers and support offered on my and my
family's behalf in 2012. I head to the Block Center again, tomorrow, for treatment #17.These treatments should continue through May of this year. I continue to feel well. Side effects are simply obnoxious, not debilitating. I'll try to be diligent in keeping the blog current.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13

                                          **********************************

Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth!
 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!

 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts!
 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth!

 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
    he will judge the peoples with equity.”

 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
     let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
         for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
    and the peoples in his faithfulness.               PSALM 96         

   

Happy New Year 2013

Another Year

1. Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
   In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;
   Another year of progress, another year of praise,
   Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.
2. Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
   Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
   Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
   Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.
3. Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
   Another year of training for holier work above;
   Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
   On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.
4. Francis R Havergal