Chemo Update

Loved Ones,

We have a good day to report.

Today was Ray's second round of chemo but our first outpatient trip. It went without a hitch. Ray went first for lab work, then "pre-meds," then the first chemo which runs two hours. After this, they hooked him up to a "European Travel Bag" aka fanny pak that holds his second dose of chemo which runs on a battery pump from home for 46 hours. We'll be done by 2:30 on Friday.

Ray is doing very well. For the first time, I am typing this email up in his room on my laptop because I just can't bear to go downstairs. He is talking so much and even telling stories. He ate dinner, even a cookie.

To understand why this is such a big deal: two days before the first chemo Ray was hardly talking at all. He was just so quiet -- and when he did speak he was very hoarse. He told me that he thought he would be talking a whole lot less.

Ray's color is normal. To understand why this is such a big deal: last Monday he was yellow.

We are continuing to praise the Lord for the evidence of healing we see, knowing that there is much more to be done, and trusting the Lord for continuing miracles.

The chemo is a long road and we are told that the side effects will multiply -- sometimes even impacting how often Ray can have treatment. We are praying that the side effects will be manageable.

While we were at the chemo our blackberries kept buzzing. Plans for the prayer service in DC tomorrow, a person fasting in Kenya, a person fasting in California, a person praying without ceasing in Texas, powerful verses from a friend's mom in Indiana.

Can you imagine what it feels like to be us? Here's one way of describing it: the center of God's will, being fed by his very hand.

Here are our verses for today. We are applying them specifically to the cancer cells in Ray's body:

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tonngue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." Phillipians 2:10-11

We will be thinking of all of you in Washington at the prayer service at 3 pm tomorrow. There is no gift we value more than your prayers.

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray