The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“A Very Tender Day and a Very Big Week”

Update for June 15th, 2015

It’s a tender day for our family. Twenty-seven years ago today our little Jeffrey went home to be with the Lord. He loved people and loved to make people laugh. We miss him every single day. One day we will be with the Lord and our precious loved ones who are with Him right now. Have you read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 lately? It’s awesome!

We are facing a very big week. Tomorrow Karen will have another CT scan to measure the size of the mass. The last CT scan showed the mass decreased by 15%. We are asking the Lord to work in wonderful ways once again. We won’t get the results until later in the week (at the earliest.) On Thursday Karen has lab work and we meet with her oncologist. Then on Friday she begins her maintenance chemotherapy. Either on Thursday night or early Friday morning she will be “randomized” into one of three groups. Group A uses a proven maintenance chemotherapy. Group B also uses a proven chemotherapy. Group C will use the combination chemotherapy of group A and B.

Here are the things for which we need you to be praying.

That the CT scan will be very clear and that the mass either will be decreasing or miraculously gone all together.
For her blood work on Thursday. We are praying that her blood counts will be good and that she will be able to take the chemotherapy on Friday.
That the Lord will superintend which group the Lord wants Karen to be for her chemotherapy. We are so privileged to be part of a national research study with these three group medications. Throughout the entire country, 1,500 people with the exact kind of cancer Karen is battling have been invited to be part of the study. Karen was number 1,499! We will update you when we know about the size of the mass and the group of medications to which she is assigned. It is important to remember that all three groups are proven and used. He oncologist can pull her out at any time if something better becomes available. We are so blessed.
In the midst of such difficult days, the Lord has given Karen and me something to smile about. We have been teasing about the sweet roll monster in Aisle 9. Well let me tell you, it has been incredible how this has caught on throughout the United States. I am learning about sweet roll monsters in every corner of our country.

Today the dear office manager of First Baptist Church of Marilla, New York sent a box to us in the mail. The return address was “Aisle 9 Bake Shop.” The subtitle was “Our stuff is monstrously good!” Inside was a crocheted donut! Karen and I had a great laugh together. It should have arrived on Saturday. However the Lord knew we really needed it today. How wonderful to know that the Lord is concerned about every detail of our lives.

You Won’t Believe What Karen Told Me!
Update for Tuesday June 9th, 2015

I know that you are busy. You have many things to do this evening. Thank you for taking time to check out Karen’s update.

Today Karen is finally feeling much better. We talked about it and decided that it was time for Karen to have a little alone time. She drove to the pharmacy and then stopped at our grocery store (Yep! It’s the store with the monster in aisle 9). When she came home just a little time later, I noticed right away that there were far fewer blue plastic bags than when I went to the store.

While having lunch together she finished talking about what she saying and then without warning she said, “And no Michael, there are no donuts today. The day old ones were not what we would have liked.” To which I replied, “I understand. But let me ask, wasn’t there a whole case full of donuts right next to the day old.”

“Of course there were but you don’t think I would buy you fresh donuts, do you? she asked with a note of conviction and declaration.

So my friend, what else can I say? Karen’s sickness from the chemotherapy is finally getting better. She still has symptoms, but these seem to lessening. Thank you so very much for praying. It’s cute to read your emails and messages to me. Dozens and dozens write to me that they are praying for Karen and teasing me about the Monsters in Aisle 9. Several have told me about the pastry monster, donut monster, and sweet roll monsters that jump out and into their grocery baskets.

I am so happy that Karen had a little alone time. I need to find ways to convince her that there is more to life than just day old donuts! Any suggestions?

Friday Evening June 5th, 2015

Some Good News to Share

When I first asked Karen to invite hundreds and hundreds to go along with us on the journey she smiled and said, “No one will be interested in what’s happening with me.” I strongly assured her that wouldn’t be the case. I also shared with her that she has served the Lord since she was a very young teenager. I shared with her that the things happening to her and the help that the Lord would give her would be a blessing and help to others. Reluctantly she agreed with the stipulation that while she was willing to transparent, she was unwilling for me to share only the bad, only the hard, only the discouraging. She wanted me to write about the humorous things that still happen to us Do you realize that hundreds commented about the hysterics they had as the read of me trying to bathe the dog. Come to think of it you wouldn’t believe how many have commented about laughing at the monster in aisle 9. She wanted me to write about the good things as well.

So tonight I am writing to let you know that she is starting to feel better from the last round of chemotherapy. It is wonderful to see her starting to get a little stronger, a little less in pain, able to eat a little more, and to feel less nauseated. You dear friends have been praying and we certainly do appreciate this so very much. I told my sister last evening on the phone that when Karen is doing better I am doing even better. How can we ever begin to thank you for going on the journey with us? We know there are many hurting people and even many that are dealing with cancer. But you have chosen to accompany us. When we get overwhelmed you put your arms around us and uphold us.

As she continues to improve you won’t hear from us for a few days. But please keep praying for her. She has another scan in a couple of weeks. But I will tell you more about this later.

Oh Friends! Guess Where I Went Today!

Wednesday June 3rd, 2015 Update

Good Evening!

On a serious note, let me share with you. Karen and I are often overwhelmed by the love and encouragement of God’s people. I was pretty transparent last night. Sometimes I fear that people think we are super folks who never experience the emotions that others would feel in similar situations. Many think that Mike and Karen have served the Lord for nearly forty-five years, so they would never get discouraged, or fearful, or angry, or sad. But that of course is not true. We have all the emotions that others also possess. We always want to be honest with our friends. We are dreadfully human and with that come all the emotions and complications of being on the journey with cancer.

But our God is great and awesome in every way. The Lord Jesus says, “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1a). He then explains how He can calm our troubled hearts, bring perspective into our lives, and teaches us how to view everything from through the grid of eternity (John 14:1b-3). He explains that He alone is source of salvation and the way to Heaven (John 14:6). Karen and I both have entrusted our lives to this Blessed One, our Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. He indeed holds us in His hands (John 10:28-29). Cancer does not control us. Cancer does not consume us. Karen has cancer. But cancer doesn’t have Karen.

Speaking of my Karen, it is still a very difficult time for her. She is in much pain and discomfort. The injection I gave her on Saturday is really, really working. This injection jump starts her bone marrow which produces white blood cells to keep her from infections and harmful viruses. She will be better in a few days. But until then, thanks for praying.

On a lighter note. Karen has so much pain that she cannot walk in a grocery store! SO GUESS WEHRE I WENT TODAY? Here’s how it went.

Slowly I approached that automatic door.

I knew that dangers lie ahead in that store.

You know that waiting monster in aisle nine,

Would reach out and call the name that’s mine.

So armed with reminders I charged ahead.

I got through aisle nine and felt no great dread.

But suddenly there came a ferocious critter

Just inside the case was that apple fritter.

I fought it hard with logical mental persuasion.

The battle was lost. It was quite an invasion.

Dreadful the battle, the struggle was serious.

I ate the fitter and now I think I am rather delirious.

PS- WE have to keep our sense humor as we trust the Lord. I want to take good care of my Karen and part of that is making her smile along the journey.

To Be Honest it has been Difficult Day

Tuesday June 2, 2015 Update

We were well prepared by our medical team that this round of chemotherapy might be more difficult than the other rounds. Karen’s mass has been blasted with incredible medicines, not once but four times now. The Nuelasta injection has jump started her bone marrow, not once, but three times now.

Tonight she is fatigued, in pain, nauseated, and very thankful that the fourth round of chemotherapy is now completed. It is in times like this that we rest in our Father’s hands and trust His care. It is a blessing to know that we can “Cast our cares upon Him because he cares for us” (1 Peter 5:7). This verse is not mere theory to us. It is right where we are living. Let me be honest. Are we discouraged? Sometimes. Are we frightened? Sometimes. But these moments do last long. We really are experiencing the Lord’s encouragement and comfort. We need the Lord in very special ways. Thank you for praying. It is amazing to have so many who love us and care about us. So we cast our cares upon Him rejoicing in the fact that He cares for us.