Fighting Cancer

Loved Ones,

Another day fighting cancer. Ray felt a little better and was able to do a little more today. He went with Nora to her first soccer practice of the Mill Street "FireSharks" and we all walked to the pool this afternoon. However, Ray is still pretty tired, with more nausea than usual. We know this is the chemo hard at work! And we are thankful for that.

Special friends are here and we are doing lots of work and getting organized. This will be great for fall.

Our prayers, our thoughts and our hopes are focused on Ray's healing.

"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him." Acts 3:16

not along and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Round 6 Concludes

Loved Ones,

Today was a harder day for Ray. He was pretty queasy and very tired as his sixth round of chemo concluded. But he was doing a little better this evening after a long nap this afternoon.

The support from our family and friends continues -- caring for our kids, arranging for our lawn to be cut, organizing, doing laundry, etc. We are so grateful for this. It makes it possible to do what we have to do to keep it going.

We are as grateful for the support we receive through emails telling of the prayers and promises from the Bible for our family. We know this is a physical manifestation of God's love for us -- manna in the desert -- enough for the needs of the day.

Today a friend sent a card mentioning the way God led him to send us a spiritual gift. He said, "I hope this is a sign that the Lord is paying close, personal attention to you, your family and your recovery." It is! And thank you. That is a clear way of stating what we feel. And the examples of this are too numerous to count. Our hopes are refreshed at the moment we thirst for refreshment.

We end this sixth round praying for dramatic and miraculous healing from this round of chemo and the next two rounds before Ray's next scan. Our hopes are firmly placed in the miraculous power of our Lord -- today and always.

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:18

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

A Busy Day

Loved Ones,

Today was a good day. Ray is feeling pretty good. His appetite is dropping off but the real chemo fatigue has not yet hit.

We had lots of helpers today! Which was wonderful. Ray's sister, my mom and a special DC friend were extra hands to help out with all our tasks.

And we were glad to have them as Maggie and I spent time in the ER after a fall on her head followed by vomiting. All is well and we are thankful.

Tonight we pray for vigor beyond our own means! Our God is equal to this fight. Thankfully our own weakness is not a problem for him!

And, we pray that through each moment of our day we will be confident of our God's power to do the impossible.

"Everything is possible for him who believes." Mark 9:23

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Round 6 in Progress

Loved Ones,

Thank you for your prayers today. We can't tell you how much we appreciate them, especially on chemo days.

Ray's platelets and blood levels are holding steady. Thank you Lord! He was able to undergo the chemo as scheduled.

Ray's liver numbers are also holding steady. One is still going down, the others are stable. Our doctor says this is ok. So we are glad to hear that!

As always, with the chemo ongoing, we focus our prayers on our hope for Ray's healing. That as I type and as he speaks (right now beside me! I love those steroids! He just talks so much!) his body is being healed and restored.

And, we pray for continued trust, hope and freedom from fear. Our God is able! This we know. We know that God has a plan for us, and that it is a good plan.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea...

'Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

Psalm 46:1,2, 10, 11

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Chemo Round 6

Loved Ones,

We're home! We were so glad to be able to be together as a family for a few days, especially before school starts next week. Sand castles were built by all.

My apologies to those of you who didn't get our email update over the weekend. Whenever I am not at my home computer, the list seems to get truncated.

We are ready for Round Six of chemo tomorrow. We are looking forward to getting Ray's lab results. He has been pretty tired which we are attributing to low platelets and blood levels. We are praying that Ray's body has had a chance to heal and restore so that it will be ready for the chemo. We are praying for wisdom too, in terms of when he will need additional blood or platelet transfusions if necessary.

We are also awaiting Ray's liver levels. They fluctuated a bit last round so we are praying that this week they will be a clear indicator of the healing going on in Ray's body!

After tomorrow, we have two more rounds of chemo before Ray's next scan. We are praying for a clean scan of Ray's liver! So we are praying that God's hand would be on Ray tomorrow, healing his entire body of cancer!

And, as always, we pray for wisdom and guidance in all things. For us, for Ray's doctors and nurses, for every decision we make.

We also pray for continued energy! For us and this fight and to continue to give to our girls.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:1-4

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray