Hi! Well, in 3 more days we'll be done with week 3 of Radiation and Chemo. We don't know what else to say...except, PRAISE GOD! Cyrus is doing well...no side effects. We are amazed at the grace that God is pouring out upon Cyrus as he goes through his treatment. Thank you all for your faithfulness to remember us and lift us up in prayer.
We had a nice Labor Day weekend. We got to spend time with friends, enjoy the cooling weather, and watch the Boise Balloon Classic. We are enjoying life more these days...doing the things we might normally put off, enjoying time with friends and family, and cherishing every day together.
This morning we got to go with Jackson to his first day at pre-school. Cyrus and Jack got to sit together for the story and singing. Jackson had a great time...and made lots of new friends. It was such a blessing to see him enjoying himself and learning new things. We're getting ready to celebrate his 4th Birthday on Sept. 22.
Prayer Requests:
•Please pray for our friends the Lasaters. Stephanie, wife and mother of 3, a good friend of ours, has breast cancer and is in the midst of chemo treatments. Please pray for the Lord to surround them with the support they need and to fill their hearts with hope, joy and peace.
•Please pray for another young mother named Brenda who is struggling with Lymphoma. She was in remission, and now it is back, and she is starting another aggressive round of treatments. Please pray for her and her three little ones, and her husband as they walk through this.
•Please pray for my brother, Adam. He passed out after a hike in the Sawtooths, and shattered his jaw. He is not able to eat solid foods for 2 months, and there is no Dr. in the Sun Valley area who can do the surgery he needs to have his jaw repaired. Please pray for financial provision and a Dr. who can perform the surgery.
•Please pray for continued grace during Cy's treatments.
•Please pray for Vanessa and her family as they pack up and move to Boise in the next couple of weeks. Also, please pray for Lindsey as she moves back next weekend.
•PRAISE THE LORD AND THANK HIM WITH US! HE IS A LOVING GOD, WHO GIVES GOOD GIFTS TO HIS CHILDREN!
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." ~ Hebrews 12:1-2
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Week 2
Well, so far the radiation and chemo is going well. Cyrus is still able to do his normal routine each day...he is currently trying to finish up a job that was started before he had the first seizure. With the help of his friend Chris, they should have the job finished this week! So far, there has been no nausea or anything else we can see. The "aura's" have picked up in frequency, however, and this is a prayer request: Please pray for the aura's to slow down, and even stop!
For those of you who don't know, an aura is a precursor to a seizure. Because Cyrus is on anti-seizure medications though, the aura's usually just fizzle out quickly. But last week after one of his radiation treatments, he had quite a strong aura...the strongest since the second surgery. The oncologist said that radiation could cause seizures, as the treatment usually causes swelling, increasing inter-cranial pressure...which can cause seizures. So, please pray. :)
We have people who are picking Cyrus up each day and taking him to his appointments...this is such a huge blessing! Jackson will be starting preschool next week, so this frees me up to be able to take him and pick him up each day.
Also, we have some good news! Two very close friends/family members are moving back to Boise in Sept. We are so blessed to know that they both wish to come alongside of us to help in any and all ways the Lord leads. Please pray for their moving details to be smooth and for quick settling in to Boise.
Prayer Requests for this week:
That the Lord would continue to hold each of us close to Him.
That Cyrus would be able to finish up the job he's working on this week.
That the Lord would continue to hold back the side-effects from the treatment.
That I would be able to make all needed preparations for Jackson to start preschool next week.
That our friends and family who are moving here would be blessed by the Lord's hand.
That the Lord would pour out His Spirit and blessings upon all of you who are serving us!
That God would heal Cyrus.
For those of you who don't know, an aura is a precursor to a seizure. Because Cyrus is on anti-seizure medications though, the aura's usually just fizzle out quickly. But last week after one of his radiation treatments, he had quite a strong aura...the strongest since the second surgery. The oncologist said that radiation could cause seizures, as the treatment usually causes swelling, increasing inter-cranial pressure...which can cause seizures. So, please pray. :)
We have people who are picking Cyrus up each day and taking him to his appointments...this is such a huge blessing! Jackson will be starting preschool next week, so this frees me up to be able to take him and pick him up each day.
Also, we have some good news! Two very close friends/family members are moving back to Boise in Sept. We are so blessed to know that they both wish to come alongside of us to help in any and all ways the Lord leads. Please pray for their moving details to be smooth and for quick settling in to Boise.
Prayer Requests for this week:
That the Lord would continue to hold each of us close to Him.
That Cyrus would be able to finish up the job he's working on this week.
That the Lord would continue to hold back the side-effects from the treatment.
That I would be able to make all needed preparations for Jackson to start preschool next week.
That our friends and family who are moving here would be blessed by the Lord's hand.
That the Lord would pour out His Spirit and blessings upon all of you who are serving us!
That God would heal Cyrus.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Blessings in the Storm - Part 1
I posted this on facebook a week ago, but I wanted to make sure that all of you who do not use facebook were also able to see all that the Lord has done:
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I pray God is more marvelous and glorious in your heart and mind as you read of the wonderful works of His hands in our lives. In this storm we see him clearer, we love him deeper, and we want even more for him to receive honor and glory for all he has done for us as we walk through this valley. In the very beginning of this trial, God impressed this verse upon my heart:
" I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them." ~ Isaiah 42:16
We know that our God did not create or send this trial upon us....but He did know it was coming, and being fully capable to stop it, He, in His mercy allowed it to come upon us, with every intention to redeem each and every tear, and to walk us out of this darkness, only to emerge more lovely....to resemble Him more. He has led us along every step of this road. He has made himself our light in this dark season. He has made the crooked paths straight before our very eyes! He has lived up to all His promises and He will continue to do so....we are confident of this...more confident than in the most tangible things of this life. Hallelujah!
1. God's perfect hand upon the 1st surgery. The Dr. was not able to map Cy's speech because he had a major seizure during surgery, which caused the Dr.'s to have to put Cyrus under completely. So, in order to get a portion of the tumor out, the Dr. made an incision in Cy's brain, and blindly removed 20% of the tumor, not knowing if he was damaging the speech center of his brain. After surgery, the Dr. was unsure whether Cyrus would be able to speak or not. Cyrus has had normal speech..God guided the Dr's hands perfectly.
2. We have been blessed as we've received warm dinners every night for the last 3 months, from the amazing body of Christ.
3. Lunches and dinners were prepared and delivered to the hospital for all of the friends and family who faithfully filled the hospital waiting room.
4. Countless friends and even people we've never met have supported us by coming to clean our house, do our laundry, mow our lawn, clean our cars, bring groceries weekly, care for our children and essentially take care of our every need.
5. Dr. Manning, the Neuro-Surgeon, and all of his assistants and colleagues wrote off more than $20,000 in surgery and office visit charges.
6. An unknown brother in Christ offered to pay for Cyrus's sister, Meredith, to fly to Boise from North Carolina, to help out during the second surgery.
7. After the 2nd surgery, we go to pray with/for Cyrus's nurse in the ICU.
8. After the 1st surgery, Cyrus was released to go home straight from the ICU...apparently this rarely happens!
9. After the 2nd surgery, Cyrus was released after only 2 nights in the hospital!
10. A friend payed for our mortgage.
11. The body at Calvary Middleton gave of their personal finances to help us out...the total amount that they gave matched the cost our our mortgage...exactly! No one knew the amount of our mortgage!
12. A man we've never met came to our door, and gave me an envelope with $900 cash in it.
13. Countless friends and family have gifted us financially...it is exceedingly abundantly more than all we would have ever asked for or imagined. (Thank you all!)
14. A friend spoiled us by buying all new, luxurious bedding, pillows, and accents for our bedroom. Little did she know I had asked the Lord in my prayers for these very things!
15. A stranger came to our door looking for a yard sale...and ended up asking if he could come in and pray over Cyrus!
16. An anonymous friend gave $100 to for a much needed date night!
17. An anonymous friend is paying for us to have texting on our phone plan...a feature that has helped us greatly during this season.
18. All of our monthly living expenses are being covered by the donations made to the Calvary Chapel medical fund. (Thank you!!!)
19. An anonymous friend has provided for Jackson to attend Calvary Chapel Preschool--all expenses and supplies paid for!
20. A nurse Practioner volunteered her time/expertise to help me out during a very rough time with anxiety and depression.
21. A Family Practioner volunteered his time/expertise to help me with medications and getting some sleep.
22. A Counselor has volunteered her time/expertise to help us during this time.
23.We were selected to receive the proceeds from a local fundraiser put on by Fabulessly Frugal. Many of you made this possible by nominating our family and donating items to be sold. We received a check for $2500 from that sale, as well as gift cards and many gifts and lots of food! (Thank you all!)
24. A friend has volunteered her time/expertise as a massage therapist. She has come to give massages to both Cyrus and me!
25. Many friends and family have spent countless hours helping us in our home, spending the night, caring for our children, etc. (Thank you all!)
26. The receptionist at the Neurologists office took it upon herself to get us signed up for free medication for Cyrus each month! His anti-seizure med's cost around $500 per month! This came after I prayed that the Lord would give us some good news at the Neurologists office.
27. A women's bible study raised money for us by putting on a yard sale. (Thank you all!)
28. An anonymous friend made jewelry and donated the proceeds to us.
29. A Family Practioner volunteered her time to attend Dr.'s visits with us..and help us seek alternative treatment.
30. Many friends have volunteered to give rides to Cyrus.
31. We have made many new friends..as people have we've never met have contacted us via facebook, or volunteered their time to do yard work, or bring us dinner, and pray for us.
32. Our lives have changed in ways we could never have come to unless we had walked this road...Learning to live in today...not worrying about tomorrow, loving one another more rightly, desiring to serve others in similar places, knowing and loving our Savior more, Trusting God more, etc.
I am sure there are things I've forgotten as I write out this list...this is only a partial list of all the amazing ways God has provided for us. I'm confident that these things will continue..so I will plan to update you on a Part II in the future.
Thanks for walking alongside us in this storm that is springing up many beautiful things!
----------------------------------------------------------
I pray God is more marvelous and glorious in your heart and mind as you read of the wonderful works of His hands in our lives. In this storm we see him clearer, we love him deeper, and we want even more for him to receive honor and glory for all he has done for us as we walk through this valley. In the very beginning of this trial, God impressed this verse upon my heart:
" I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them." ~ Isaiah 42:16
We know that our God did not create or send this trial upon us....but He did know it was coming, and being fully capable to stop it, He, in His mercy allowed it to come upon us, with every intention to redeem each and every tear, and to walk us out of this darkness, only to emerge more lovely....to resemble Him more. He has led us along every step of this road. He has made himself our light in this dark season. He has made the crooked paths straight before our very eyes! He has lived up to all His promises and He will continue to do so....we are confident of this...more confident than in the most tangible things of this life. Hallelujah!
1. God's perfect hand upon the 1st surgery. The Dr. was not able to map Cy's speech because he had a major seizure during surgery, which caused the Dr.'s to have to put Cyrus under completely. So, in order to get a portion of the tumor out, the Dr. made an incision in Cy's brain, and blindly removed 20% of the tumor, not knowing if he was damaging the speech center of his brain. After surgery, the Dr. was unsure whether Cyrus would be able to speak or not. Cyrus has had normal speech..God guided the Dr's hands perfectly.
2. We have been blessed as we've received warm dinners every night for the last 3 months, from the amazing body of Christ.
3. Lunches and dinners were prepared and delivered to the hospital for all of the friends and family who faithfully filled the hospital waiting room.
4. Countless friends and even people we've never met have supported us by coming to clean our house, do our laundry, mow our lawn, clean our cars, bring groceries weekly, care for our children and essentially take care of our every need.
5. Dr. Manning, the Neuro-Surgeon, and all of his assistants and colleagues wrote off more than $20,000 in surgery and office visit charges.
6. An unknown brother in Christ offered to pay for Cyrus's sister, Meredith, to fly to Boise from North Carolina, to help out during the second surgery.
7. After the 2nd surgery, we go to pray with/for Cyrus's nurse in the ICU.
8. After the 1st surgery, Cyrus was released to go home straight from the ICU...apparently this rarely happens!
9. After the 2nd surgery, Cyrus was released after only 2 nights in the hospital!
10. A friend payed for our mortgage.
11. The body at Calvary Middleton gave of their personal finances to help us out...the total amount that they gave matched the cost our our mortgage...exactly! No one knew the amount of our mortgage!
12. A man we've never met came to our door, and gave me an envelope with $900 cash in it.
13. Countless friends and family have gifted us financially...it is exceedingly abundantly more than all we would have ever asked for or imagined. (Thank you all!)
14. A friend spoiled us by buying all new, luxurious bedding, pillows, and accents for our bedroom. Little did she know I had asked the Lord in my prayers for these very things!
15. A stranger came to our door looking for a yard sale...and ended up asking if he could come in and pray over Cyrus!
16. An anonymous friend gave $100 to for a much needed date night!
17. An anonymous friend is paying for us to have texting on our phone plan...a feature that has helped us greatly during this season.
18. All of our monthly living expenses are being covered by the donations made to the Calvary Chapel medical fund. (Thank you!!!)
19. An anonymous friend has provided for Jackson to attend Calvary Chapel Preschool--all expenses and supplies paid for!
20. A nurse Practioner volunteered her time/expertise to help me out during a very rough time with anxiety and depression.
21. A Family Practioner volunteered his time/expertise to help me with medications and getting some sleep.
22. A Counselor has volunteered her time/expertise to help us during this time.
23.We were selected to receive the proceeds from a local fundraiser put on by Fabulessly Frugal. Many of you made this possible by nominating our family and donating items to be sold. We received a check for $2500 from that sale, as well as gift cards and many gifts and lots of food! (Thank you all!)
24. A friend has volunteered her time/expertise as a massage therapist. She has come to give massages to both Cyrus and me!
25. Many friends and family have spent countless hours helping us in our home, spending the night, caring for our children, etc. (Thank you all!)
26. The receptionist at the Neurologists office took it upon herself to get us signed up for free medication for Cyrus each month! His anti-seizure med's cost around $500 per month! This came after I prayed that the Lord would give us some good news at the Neurologists office.
27. A women's bible study raised money for us by putting on a yard sale. (Thank you all!)
28. An anonymous friend made jewelry and donated the proceeds to us.
29. A Family Practioner volunteered her time to attend Dr.'s visits with us..and help us seek alternative treatment.
30. Many friends have volunteered to give rides to Cyrus.
31. We have made many new friends..as people have we've never met have contacted us via facebook, or volunteered their time to do yard work, or bring us dinner, and pray for us.
32. Our lives have changed in ways we could never have come to unless we had walked this road...Learning to live in today...not worrying about tomorrow, loving one another more rightly, desiring to serve others in similar places, knowing and loving our Savior more, Trusting God more, etc.
I am sure there are things I've forgotten as I write out this list...this is only a partial list of all the amazing ways God has provided for us. I'm confident that these things will continue..so I will plan to update you on a Part II in the future.
Thanks for walking alongside us in this storm that is springing up many beautiful things!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
6 Weeks of Radiation & Chemo
Radiation and Chemo started yesterday, Aug. 24th. It will last through Oct. 4th. Cyrus goes into MSTI 5 days a week for 6 weeks of Radiation. He takes a Chemo Pill every night before bed. So far, we have not noticed any side effects. We're praying that the Lord would hold back the side effects so that Cyrus could go through this with little discomfort...although we know that discomfort & sickness is a possibility. The results from last weeks MRI came back with good news....no regrowth of the tumor, and no cancer cells outside the original site! Praise God! Our spirits are high as we see the Mighty hand of God at work. We are truly resting in God's peace, joy and hope as we walk through this...I never would have imagined that I could enjoy even one day in a situation such as this...but with God, ALL things are possible!
THANK YOU!!! Many of you have signed up to help with rides to and from MSTI for the radiation treatment...not only is this a blessing...but it is such an encouragement for us to get to see each of you in our day! Also, the meals calender has been such a blessing to us! MANY, MANY thanks to all of you who have been bringing dinners to us! If you have given financially through the Calvary Medical Fund, we want to thank you all...we don't know who has donated, but we do want you to know that God knows who you are...and will bless you. Thank you for giving to help support us in this season...God is shown faithful through you! Also, thank you to all who have brought us groceries each week, mowed our lawn, cleaned our house, done our laundry, watched our children, spent nights, come for visits, sent us cards and gifts in the mail. Every time I think of all you have done for us, I want to cry. We have never been so lavished with love and support! We are so grateful for all of you! Thank you for EVERYTHING you are doing, and have done for us...we could never do or say enough to return the blessings...but we are confident that an eternal reward is being store up for you in Heaven!
Please pray with us...for healing, for comfort through the treatment, for good health (Cyrus has opted not to take the anit-viral and anti-biotic suggested by the oncologist), for opportunities to share God's love and hope with those we come in contact with at MSTI, continued provision for all the practical and financial needs related to this situation.
We look forward to sharing more news and updates with you in the weeks to come. Please leave your comments...we SO look forward to them...what a blessing to read your words of encouragement!
In His Grace,
Jonie
THANK YOU!!! Many of you have signed up to help with rides to and from MSTI for the radiation treatment...not only is this a blessing...but it is such an encouragement for us to get to see each of you in our day! Also, the meals calender has been such a blessing to us! MANY, MANY thanks to all of you who have been bringing dinners to us! If you have given financially through the Calvary Medical Fund, we want to thank you all...we don't know who has donated, but we do want you to know that God knows who you are...and will bless you. Thank you for giving to help support us in this season...God is shown faithful through you! Also, thank you to all who have brought us groceries each week, mowed our lawn, cleaned our house, done our laundry, watched our children, spent nights, come for visits, sent us cards and gifts in the mail. Every time I think of all you have done for us, I want to cry. We have never been so lavished with love and support! We are so grateful for all of you! Thank you for EVERYTHING you are doing, and have done for us...we could never do or say enough to return the blessings...but we are confident that an eternal reward is being store up for you in Heaven!
Please pray with us...for healing, for comfort through the treatment, for good health (Cyrus has opted not to take the anit-viral and anti-biotic suggested by the oncologist), for opportunities to share God's love and hope with those we come in contact with at MSTI, continued provision for all the practical and financial needs related to this situation.
We look forward to sharing more news and updates with you in the weeks to come. Please leave your comments...we SO look forward to them...what a blessing to read your words of encouragement!
In His Grace,
Jonie
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