Week four of chemo brings praises!  Sandi has been able to sleep in a somewhat reclining position on and off this week.  This is a big deal for someone who has been sleeping upright for the last two months!  We are so thankful for her being able to get a little more comfortable rest.  As we advance on into our fourth week of chemo, please remember that someone who is going through chemotherapy has a weakened immune system.  Their bodies do not have the same ability to fight off viruses as others do.  A simple cold for us could be much more serious for her. Do not feel bad if you have to cancel a commitment with them due to illness.  They will completely understand as our number one priority is to keep Sandi healthy.  As always, we appreciate all your prayers and all the help being contributed.  We are blessed by our friends and family.

~Dawn

I wanted to share a comment that was posted by someone who has helped Ron and Sandi in so many ways.

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

What a wonderful promise! God delights in you. In the Hebrew it means that God is spinning around and singing over you with great joy. This picture of God just makes me laugh with wonder.

May your hearts be lifted up today as He quiets you with His love. 

Thanks Cindy!  What a beautiful picture for us as we enter our third week of chemo.

Sandi is tired and the pain is still there.  Yesterday, the pain was pretty intense but today seems to be a bit better.  We tried a new treatment yesterday that is supposed to attack the tumor directly.  We are praying that it will shrink the tumor to provide much needed relief. We also have a final diagnosis.  At first glance, it looked as though we were not dealing with a kidney cancer but now with the molecular testing (a much more accurate test that takes more time) it seems as though it is kidney cancer.  The kidney cancer has metastasized into the lymph nodes and that is why surgery to remove the kidney is not being looked at as an option. Please keep praying and thank you to all those who are and all of those who are helping out.

~Dawn

Thanks to all who have been leaving comments.  It is so encouraging to us all to see those who are thinking about us and praying for us. The increase in pain has been difficult.  It kept Sandi up most of the night on Thursday and prevented her from being able to receive the port on Friday morning.  She was able to pull enough strength together for chemo.  It was a long appointment but she got through it and we brought her home to rest.  We will try again for a port next week.  Eating is becoming a challenge.  The doctor wants her to increase water and protein...not exactly what you crave when you don't feel well but we are exploring new appetizing options. :)  Ron has been doing an amazing job taking care of Sandi.  He is able to make spreadsheets for all her meds and has been helping rub her back during the pain episodes.  He has a much bigger job though...he is her husband, in good times and in bad.  He may not realize it, but his grandchildren are so blessed to have grandparents who chose to love the Lord and each other everyday.  Please join us in praying this week.  Pray for pain relief, for courage to fight this battle, for a response to the chemo, strength for Ron,  wisdom for the doctors, a healthy appetite, and a new routine for this stage.  Also, please pray for all of Ron's family who suffered the loss of Ron's brother, Wayne.

It has been somewhat of a rough day for Sandi today.  The doctor warned us that the chemo could actually increase the pain for the first couple of weeks.  Unfortunately, he was right.  Please pray for pain relief.  Pray for comfort and strength for both Ron and Sandi.  This has not been an easy journey for either of them.  I am so thankful for their solid faith in the God who will carry them through this.

Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak

~Dawn

First Day of Chemo

Today was our first day of chemo.  Sandi did great.   They administered the first dose very slowly to ensure no adverse reactions.  Thankfully, Sandi didn't experience any side effects during the appointment.  The doctor did however warn her that some of the side effects (nausea, fatigue)  may start around the second or third day. The staff did such an amazing job encouraging Ron and Sandi.  They really are an amazing team.  Next Friday we will return to have a permanent port put in so that Sandi will not need to be injected each treatment.  The doctors are hoping the tumor will respond quickly to the treatments so that she can get some pain relief...we are too!  Keep praying.

~Dawn