Friday

I have an appointment set up for Friday to begin treatment.  Please pray that all goes well.  It is a long appt., 6 hours because they like to  go slow.  Pray for peace and strength. "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24  I am reminded of the simple children's song, Jesus Loves Me, one phrase says I am weak but he is strong.

Update on Sandi....The doctor called today and the initial reports from the biopsy have still not identified a source for the cancer.  The doctor would like to start chemotherapy for cancer of an unknown source.  They would also like to compliment the chemotherapy with DCA.  Ron and Sandi are requesting prayer that the doctors will prescribe the right treatment and that Sandi will respond quickly.  They would also like some wisdom in exploring the DCA treatments.  Please continue to pray for pain management and of course a MIRACLE HEALING!  In Ron's words...pray, pray, pray.

~Dawn

Update 8/28/2020 Saturday

It has been another challenging week as we are trying to find the right balance of pain meds.  I have had some adverse reactions to some and also need to take the right amounts. The team that I am working with have a better understanding of what to do.  This is hard for me in that I have not taken anything much stronger than Tylenol throughout the years.  The clinic said that I needed to give myself permission to take what is needed to get the pain under better management and realize that is is only for short period of time. I did get a decent sleep on Thurs.  8 hours with just small interruptions of taking med. from my nurse, Ron.
I have also had to slow up considerably since dealing with this pain.  The pain centers from that fact that the pressure builds up in the kidney because it it has constricted passage of fluids out and so it throbs like a tooth ache and I can not put any pressure on it when sitting or laying down.
The 3 marker tests that they ran on Monday did not yield any information.  They ran one on breast, colon, and one other.  None of them showed anything in those areas.  Then the doctor ordered a test on one of the lymph nodes on Thursday at the base of my neck that he hopes can give some info. 

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Jeremiah 29:11

Yes, He is in control.  He already knows what He has planned for us.  Tonight we rest in that.  Today Sandi met with the new oncologist.  The staff is very friendly and seems to have the personalized care that Sandi is looking for.  He is already researching to see if the additional testing of her biopsy is available.  If need be, he will order a new biopsy of one of her lymph nodes to see if we can figure out where the cancer is coming from.  In the mean time, we had a blood test performed to check certain genetic markers.  The doctor has promised to call tomorrow morning with any additional details.  It was a lot of info to take in for one day.  Please give continued prayer for relief of pain, strength for Ron and Sandi, wisdom and guidance for the doctors AND the family, and trust in our Healer.

~Dawn

Pray, pray, pray

Please be praying for some pain relief!  Sandi really needs some rest and is not able to get any due to the intensity of pain.  Sandi and Ron are both exhausted and would greatly appreciate all prayers.  Phone communication is a bit tricky right now because of her trying to rest but please email her or leave her a comment.  Hearing from you is so encouraging :)

Dawn

9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12 9-10

I read this scripture this morning and found comfort…but it also reminded me how weak we all are when left on our own. It is so easy to slip in a moment of panic or anxiety. It is so easy to run in times of trials. God tells us there is no need to panic or to run. His power has made us perfect…complete. He does not promise our lives to be without trials, but He does promise compassion and strength. I am going to cling to this scripture as we go through this journey with our mom. I am sure there will be days that we are forced to remind ourselves of this a hundred times and if we need to, we do it again the next day. We have started this blog so that we can keep all of our family and friends updated on the healing of Sandi. It is also a great tool to let her know you are supporting her. Please feel free to leave messages here so Sandi knows you stopped by!

Early in July, Sandi was experiencing some abdominal pain. All indications pointed towards kidney stones…until the doctors reviewed the CT scan. Sandi has a mass on her kidney that has now been diagnosed as cancer. Although there is cancer in her kidney, it did not originate there. We are currently waiting on further test results to come back from the lab to see if we can determine where the cancer started. Sandi has definitely had an increase in pain and we are hoping to be able to have a starting point to a resolution soon. In the mean time, we will be heading up to Renton on Monday to visit the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness center for a second opinion.

At this point, we would LOVE your prayers for healing, comfort, strength for Ron and Sandi, a reduction of pain, rest, wisdom, guidance, and that His grace will be revealed to all those touched by this situation.

-Dawn