Friday Night at Home

Loved Ones,

We were relieved to hear at Ray's clinic visit today that Ray's liver numbers were still holding from New Years Eve. His doctor is attributing the vomiting and increase in his liver counts from Wednesday to dehydration. As we were already there, she went ahead and did Ray's chemo that had been scheduled for next week. So that is one thing off our list. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get every drug today so we do have to return next week for the new drug to block blood flow to tumors. Bummer. The trips take a lot out of Ray so we try to limit them as much as we can.

Tomorrow we'll get Ray's chemo pump for home and they'll start that, which will run over the next few weeks. And, we'll be doing more fluids and even IV medicines from home to try to prevent dehydration from occuring again.

We pray tonight for strength and endurance for Ray. This is a lot to have the chemo just as he's recovered so we pray this next round will have minimal side effects and that the tiredness will pass quickly. We pray that all this fluid will not collect too quickly as we have plans to get that drained soon but hopefully not this weekend! We pray especially tonight for restoration -- that the chemo will be able to beat back the cancer so that Ray can get stronger and feel better. Of course we pray always for healing.

Many times in December, a Friday clinic visit turned into a hospitalization. This thought weighed heavy on our girls and we are so glad to return to them tonight. We pray for a good weekend together and continued wisdom in how to parent them best through this time.

We pray for strength that equals the many tasks in our days and we are so thankful for the aid of our families who help us to juggle all those things.

"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:18-22

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray