Loved Ones,
We have some answers to prayer and some prayer requests. Ray's vomiting has been much better, praise the Lord! He had a comfortable day and night last night and it has been controlled by medicines, without the need for any further procedures.
However, Ray's MRI taken last night showed that he had a very small stroke. Ray did not have any symptoms so we probably would not have caught it, but this gives us an opportunity to see what may have caused it and prevent future such events. Ray will have a battery of tests to look at causes tomorrow. We pray that the cause can be found and anything else prevented.
We have not yet heard the results of the scans taken today to determine the chemotherapy effectiveness. Ray's liver numbers, which had risen in the past few days, came down a little last night so that was good news. We pray so strongly that these scans will show that the chemotherapy has made progress against the cancer.
We pray for God to sustain us here in the hospital and for his healing hand to rest on Ray.
We are so thankful for all of your prayers and we know that God hears.
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 3:16
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Back in the Hospital
Loved Ones,
We are back in the hospital tonight. Ray had a terrible night of vomiting last night and we came in right away this morning to try to get the vomiting under control.
They are trying new medicines and doing a variety of tests to check the new chemo's effectiveness and see if they can determine a cause for the vomiting. We are praying that the chemo has been effective and that they will be able to relieve the vomiting.
Ray is so sick and so we are relieved to be under the constant monitoring of doctors here in the hospital.
We pray for rest tonight, for relief from the vomiting, for wisdom for the doctors and for freedom from fear and anxiety. We always pray with hope for God to intervene and heal our Ray.
"In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me,for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and the cruel men. For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth my mother's womb; I will ever praise you. Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me." Psalm 71:1-6,12
not alone and not afraid
--kristin and ray
We are back in the hospital tonight. Ray had a terrible night of vomiting last night and we came in right away this morning to try to get the vomiting under control.
They are trying new medicines and doing a variety of tests to check the new chemo's effectiveness and see if they can determine a cause for the vomiting. We are praying that the chemo has been effective and that they will be able to relieve the vomiting.
Ray is so sick and so we are relieved to be under the constant monitoring of doctors here in the hospital.
We pray for rest tonight, for relief from the vomiting, for wisdom for the doctors and for freedom from fear and anxiety. We always pray with hope for God to intervene and heal our Ray.
"In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me,for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and the cruel men. For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth my mother's womb; I will ever praise you. Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me." Psalm 71:1-6,12
not alone and not afraid
--kristin and ray
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Thursday Prayers
Loved Ones,
Relief from the vomiting we pray! I can't tell you how often and how desperately we pray this prayer. Not only is it wrenching physically, it is so hard on Ray in every other way. We pray for encouragement, for hope, for healing and for relief.
The nurse came today and drained fluid, so that was good to be able to do from home. We are in touch with Ray's doctor as to what else we can do for the vomiting. We pray for wisdom as there may be potential things to be done but all have pros and more importantly cons.
Life continues with our girls and we are incredibly grateful for them -- they are a joy in our days.
"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends his love and his faithfulness." Psalm 57:1-3
not alone and not afraid
--kristin and ray
Relief from the vomiting we pray! I can't tell you how often and how desperately we pray this prayer. Not only is it wrenching physically, it is so hard on Ray in every other way. We pray for encouragement, for hope, for healing and for relief.
The nurse came today and drained fluid, so that was good to be able to do from home. We are in touch with Ray's doctor as to what else we can do for the vomiting. We pray for wisdom as there may be potential things to be done but all have pros and more importantly cons.
Life continues with our girls and we are incredibly grateful for them -- they are a joy in our days.
"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends his love and his faithfulness." Psalm 57:1-3
not alone and not afraid
--kristin and ray
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tuesday Prayers
Loved Ones,
Well with almost no snow despite a predicted blizzard, we were able to make it easily to the hospital for Ray's fluid procedure. They drained a lot of fluid and put in a catheter so that fluid can be drained at home. This will be so helpful as the days in the hospital are so exhausting for Ray.
His vomiting decreased a little bit -- but still continued yet this evening. We pray that the pressure from the fluid may have been a contributing factor -- and thus might allow for even greater improvement tomorrow.
We pray tonight that God will lift our spirits and sustain us in our exhaustion. We had a prayer time with family today that was a blessing. Our hearts hope so dearly for Ray's healing and restoration.
"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise." Jeremiah 17:14
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Well with almost no snow despite a predicted blizzard, we were able to make it easily to the hospital for Ray's fluid procedure. They drained a lot of fluid and put in a catheter so that fluid can be drained at home. This will be so helpful as the days in the hospital are so exhausting for Ray.
His vomiting decreased a little bit -- but still continued yet this evening. We pray that the pressure from the fluid may have been a contributing factor -- and thus might allow for even greater improvement tomorrow.
We pray tonight that God will lift our spirits and sustain us in our exhaustion. We had a prayer time with family today that was a blessing. Our hearts hope so dearly for Ray's healing and restoration.
"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise." Jeremiah 17:14
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday Prayers
Loved Ones,
Still no relief from vomiting for Ray. We are trying different things with medicines around the clock. We pray for this to pass; it is so hard to endure.
Ray's fluids continue to build up rapidly and he is scheduled for another fluid procedure tomorrow morning. We hope the snow isn't too great because we plan to get there no matter what! While we are there, Ray will have a fluid catheter inserted to keep the fluid from building up so quickly.
Ray's labs are showing some improvement in his liver, for which we are so grateful. His platelets are low however, so we are watching to make sure that all the vomiting does not create too much bleeding in Ray's stomach.
We pray tonight for strength, perseverance, hope and peace. That Ray would feel God's strong presence at his side always. That our little family would be kept safe in this great storm. And that God's healing hand would rest on Ray.
"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:31-39
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Still no relief from vomiting for Ray. We are trying different things with medicines around the clock. We pray for this to pass; it is so hard to endure.
Ray's fluids continue to build up rapidly and he is scheduled for another fluid procedure tomorrow morning. We hope the snow isn't too great because we plan to get there no matter what! While we are there, Ray will have a fluid catheter inserted to keep the fluid from building up so quickly.
Ray's labs are showing some improvement in his liver, for which we are so grateful. His platelets are low however, so we are watching to make sure that all the vomiting does not create too much bleeding in Ray's stomach.
We pray tonight for strength, perseverance, hope and peace. That Ray would feel God's strong presence at his side always. That our little family would be kept safe in this great storm. And that God's healing hand would rest on Ray.
"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:31-39
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday Prayers
Loved Ones,
It was another hard day. So far we just can't seem to get on top of the vomiting. That's really hard on Ray. We are praying for a restful night tonight with no vomiting! And we are praying that these symptoms pass quickly.
We are grateful for all of the help we received today from so many friends and family.
At the little church service we did for Ray this morning we studied the story where Jesus heals the blind men. We acted it out and the girls drew pictures of the story for Ray's wall. We pray this miraculous healing for Ray.
"As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight." Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him." Mathew 20:29-32
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
It was another hard day. So far we just can't seem to get on top of the vomiting. That's really hard on Ray. We are praying for a restful night tonight with no vomiting! And we are praying that these symptoms pass quickly.
We are grateful for all of the help we received today from so many friends and family.
At the little church service we did for Ray this morning we studied the story where Jesus heals the blind men. We acted it out and the girls drew pictures of the story for Ray's wall. We pray this miraculous healing for Ray.
"As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight." Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him." Mathew 20:29-32
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
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