Loved Ones,
Another good day. We went to soccer practice for the Kindergarten "FireSharks" and to Maggie's preschool orientation.
Ray is a little less tired and his appetite seems better. We're so glad.
Ray is so invigorated by family and friends. Tonight on the way to visit his sister and her new twin babies, Ray said right away, "I'll drive." I'm so glad we live close to so many people who always lift Ray's heart. And mine.
We are truly grateful for the blessings of family and friends during this time.
"Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence." Psalm 21:6
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Friday
Loved Ones,
Today was another good day. Ray had some rests but wasn't as tired as the past few days. We walked Nora to and from the bus stop and later we welcomed visitors from DC. It was great to connect with friends.
We continue to pray without ceasing for Ray's healing. It is always on our mind and hearts. We know this coming trip to MD Anderson will be a key visit. They will either confirm or add to our current and future treatment options. In addition, Ray's progress till now will be measured again. So we are eagerly anticipating this trip.
Tonight as we ate a picnic lunch at a park we watched the girls play. We are so grateful for God's healing from the very first minute of Ray's diagnosis. Each minute we are together we appreciate with joy.
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and Iam helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him insong." Psalm 28:7
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Today was another good day. Ray had some rests but wasn't as tired as the past few days. We walked Nora to and from the bus stop and later we welcomed visitors from DC. It was great to connect with friends.
We continue to pray without ceasing for Ray's healing. It is always on our mind and hearts. We know this coming trip to MD Anderson will be a key visit. They will either confirm or add to our current and future treatment options. In addition, Ray's progress till now will be measured again. So we are eagerly anticipating this trip.
Tonight as we ate a picnic lunch at a park we watched the girls play. We are so grateful for God's healing from the very first minute of Ray's diagnosis. Each minute we are together we appreciate with joy.
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and Iam helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him insong." Psalm 28:7
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Thursday, August 21, 2008
A Better Day
Loved Ones,
Today was a better day. Ray is still tired, but he is doing better and his appetite is increasing.
Let me tell you about our day. It was Nora's first full day of school. Ten, count them ten, of her beloved relatives walked her to the bus stop today!!! Can you imagine? Luckily it was not junior high! She would never forgive us! Both grandmas, her grandad, one aunt, two cousins, mom, dad and both sisters. She's a lucky kid.
I volunteered at school (not in her class) but was able to ride the bus home with her on her first day. All but one of the relatives met us at the bus! Fitzgeralds doing it right!!!
We had some answers to prayer today. First, we sent the pathology slides to Northwestern and talked to Ray's doctor and they are going to expedite tests to see what we are dealing with in terms of the hereditary cancer question. Second, we talked to Ray's doctor about going to MD Anderson for a second opinion on Ray's current and future treatment options. She was supportive and very helpful. An answer to prayer.
SO! We will be off to Houston in September to hear their recommendations. As you may remember, we consulted with MD Anderson at the beginning, but they have never seen Ray in person. Because they require new scans at MD Anderson, we will forego his scan here and have it there. It will be the same timing (after the 8th round), and his doctor here will use it instead of their scan so we have all the benefits and less radiation. Excellent news.
We are glad to get this all in the works and are looking forward to our visit there. Ray is at the midpoint of his chemo cycle so things should be going up the rest of this week and we are really happy about that. This is his low point though for germ sensitivity so Lucy's cold is not great news! More things to pray about.
We love you all and are very thankful that you are sharing in this journey with us.
"To you O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame... Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:1-5
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Today was a better day. Ray is still tired, but he is doing better and his appetite is increasing.
Let me tell you about our day. It was Nora's first full day of school. Ten, count them ten, of her beloved relatives walked her to the bus stop today!!! Can you imagine? Luckily it was not junior high! She would never forgive us! Both grandmas, her grandad, one aunt, two cousins, mom, dad and both sisters. She's a lucky kid.
I volunteered at school (not in her class) but was able to ride the bus home with her on her first day. All but one of the relatives met us at the bus! Fitzgeralds doing it right!!!
We had some answers to prayer today. First, we sent the pathology slides to Northwestern and talked to Ray's doctor and they are going to expedite tests to see what we are dealing with in terms of the hereditary cancer question. Second, we talked to Ray's doctor about going to MD Anderson for a second opinion on Ray's current and future treatment options. She was supportive and very helpful. An answer to prayer.
SO! We will be off to Houston in September to hear their recommendations. As you may remember, we consulted with MD Anderson at the beginning, but they have never seen Ray in person. Because they require new scans at MD Anderson, we will forego his scan here and have it there. It will be the same timing (after the 8th round), and his doctor here will use it instead of their scan so we have all the benefits and less radiation. Excellent news.
We are glad to get this all in the works and are looking forward to our visit there. Ray is at the midpoint of his chemo cycle so things should be going up the rest of this week and we are really happy about that. This is his low point though for germ sensitivity so Lucy's cold is not great news! More things to pray about.
We love you all and are very thankful that you are sharing in this journey with us.
"To you O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame... Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:1-5
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
And More Peace
Loved Ones,
Thank you for your prayers today. We especially needed them and I do think that we felt God's peace.
I liked these words from an email this morning, "You, Ray and your girls are beloved and chosen by an infinite, holy, mighty, covenant keeping, all sufficient, loving God." Amen.
Ray was fatigued and nauseas so he didn't get out except to the backyard. Yeah swingset! We are working on getting to the bottom of the hereditary questions so that it will not hang over our heads! Thank you for your prayers on this also.The girls got their hair cut for school and Ray and I watched "Felicity, An American Girl" with them before they went to bed. It was very nice to be together. We covet these times of family togetherness and we thank the Lord for his peace that makes the enjoyment of these times possible!
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Thank you for your prayers today. We especially needed them and I do think that we felt God's peace.
I liked these words from an email this morning, "You, Ray and your girls are beloved and chosen by an infinite, holy, mighty, covenant keeping, all sufficient, loving God." Amen.
Ray was fatigued and nauseas so he didn't get out except to the backyard. Yeah swingset! We are working on getting to the bottom of the hereditary questions so that it will not hang over our heads! Thank you for your prayers on this also.The girls got their hair cut for school and Ray and I watched "Felicity, An American Girl" with them before they went to bed. It was very nice to be together. We covet these times of family togetherness and we thank the Lord for his peace that makes the enjoyment of these times possible!
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Monday, August 18, 2008
Holding Us Up
Loved Ones,
This round has been a bit more difficult for Ray. More nausea than usual which is no fun! His doctor also thinks he has a mouth infection which may be impacting his taste even more than usual. It is easily treatable however, so we are getting to work on that.
Though tired, Ray walked to the pool with us today and watched the girls swim. We are making the most of the pool until Labor Day!
Ray's sister helped with the girls while we again worked on the many tasks of battling this disease. We are so grateful for our families. They gently bear our burdens with us, holding up our arms when they are tired.
This story from Exodus encouraged us today.
"The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites. Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army.
Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD." Exodus 17:8-16
Thank you to all of you who hold up our hands every day.
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
This round has been a bit more difficult for Ray. More nausea than usual which is no fun! His doctor also thinks he has a mouth infection which may be impacting his taste even more than usual. It is easily treatable however, so we are getting to work on that.
Though tired, Ray walked to the pool with us today and watched the girls swim. We are making the most of the pool until Labor Day!
Ray's sister helped with the girls while we again worked on the many tasks of battling this disease. We are so grateful for our families. They gently bear our burdens with us, holding up our arms when they are tired.
This story from Exodus encouraged us today.
"The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites. Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army.
Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD." Exodus 17:8-16
Thank you to all of you who hold up our hands every day.
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Faith
Loved Ones,
Ray had a pretty good day! He is still pretty tired, but we were able to go to church together and out for bagels.
After recharging with a nap, we were refreshed by visitors and their prayers for us.
My college friends have been here for the whole weekend. Our house is clean, our garage is organized... We are so grateful for these gifts.
Ray and I sat on the couch together today and read scriptures about healing. There are so many wonderful stories of healing in the Bible. It was encouraging. Our hearts are full of hope.
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Mark 11:22-24
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Ray had a pretty good day! He is still pretty tired, but we were able to go to church together and out for bagels.
After recharging with a nap, we were refreshed by visitors and their prayers for us.
My college friends have been here for the whole weekend. Our house is clean, our garage is organized... We are so grateful for these gifts.
Ray and I sat on the couch together today and read scriptures about healing. There are so many wonderful stories of healing in the Bible. It was encouraging. Our hearts are full of hope.
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Mark 11:22-24
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
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