Tuesday, July 22, 2008

This is a day we will remember! Sharon had her third PET scan today. She expected to wait until tomorrow to get the results from the doctor, but the doctor called as soon as she got the report on her desk. You can probably guess where this is going. Everyone is excited to share this kind of news. She told Sharon, "Your scan was completely clear." From stage four breast cancer to completely clear in six months, what an amazing journey. We credit this complete healing to the intense prayers of all of our friends and family. You have been such a tremendous support for us. We thank our God who is still in the business of healing.

We are now focusing our energies on Melissa and David's wedding in three short weeks from now. It has been a great help in keeping us moving forward. So we are going to celebrate it with wonderful joy! God is great and greatly to be praised.

Don't forget to check on our friend Matt Fay www.mattfay.blogspot.com. He is in deep need of our prayers.

Now on to the next chapter in our lives. More to come...

Thursday, July 17, 2008

We want to encourage you to click on the link to mattfay.blogspot.com. This is a young friend of ours in Tennessee. He is in desparate need of all of our prayers. All of the chemo they have given him over the past two years has not "conquered" his cancer. Let's add our prayer power to his cause. Call Matt's name to God as often as you can. There is a really neat prayer card that his brother has done. You can print it out and put it on you refrigerator. Thank you for taking time to do this.

Monday, July 14, 2008

We are already into our fifth month in the treatment plan for Sharon. In the midst of the darkest times it seemed that every day passed so slowly. Now, as we look back, it has gone by so quickly and Sharon has been through so much. She has just gotten home from work a few minutes ago. She happened to see her oncologist at the hospital today. Her cancer count is down to 20! 0 - 20 is in the normal range. So she has pretty much beaten this cancer! We will be anxious to see what report comes from the PET scan next week. Pray with us that the cancer is completely gone.

The effects of the drugs that Sharon continues to take are mostly that they cause extreme leg pain. Of course, her being on her feet for 12 hours at work aggravates the situation. The doctor has changed her medication from Arimidex to Tamoxofin. We are very hopeful that the leg pain will decrease soon. She is glad to be back to work.

Melissa and David's wedding plans are coming along nicely. It is hard to believe that it is one month away. We are excited for them and looking forward to seeing family and friends from near and far. Please keep us all in your prayers. There is still much to do and many decisions to make. God bless you all.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

We are at the point in the treatment that information is a bit slower in coming and visits to doctors' offices are a little less frequent. We are glad for that but it means that we have greater periods of time between updates for you. Thanks for checking on us and for your prayerful concern.

Sharon saw her doctors last Monday and blood was drawn for the cancer markers. Yesterday Sharon got the report from the markers. The one that was 840 is now 26. The other one that was 19 is now 0.5. We are so pleased with how her body is responding to the treatment. We thank God for the healing that is taking place. Sharon will have the next infusion of Herceptin on the 7th of July and then she will be scheduled for the next PET scan. She is praying that the cancer markers that are drawn at that time will show no cancer. Pray with us to that end.

Melissa and David's wedding plans area coming along nicely. We still have a few things to solidify but we are blessed with all the things that have come together this month. Melissa is getting so excited. So are we. God, give us strength to do all that needs to be done in the next 7 weeks. And give us healing.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Sharon is back to work today! This is her first 12 hour day since February. If you are reading this before 7 pm today, pray for her that she will have strength for what she needs to do today. We know that everywhere she goes, she is a testimony for how God has been at work in her life through this cancer. Pray that she will radiate God's love in all she does today.

She saw her doctors yesterday and they were very pleased with her progress. The surgeon doesn't need to see her for two months. The oncologist will see her again in three weeks when she has her next infusion of Herceptin. She will be scheduled for another PET scan after that meeting and then we will make our plans to go to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa for them to review everything that has been done. Sharon has participated in their database study on breast cancer so this is a logical step for us to take in making sure we are doing everything that needs to be done.

As Sharon was finding out about her illness, I was needing to make a decision about traveling with The CenturyMen (www.thecenturymen.com) to the UK on their international mission tour. I deceided not to go but the men are leaving on July 3. Pleased pray that God will use them to rekindle the flame that has gone dark in that part of the world. Music is so powerful and, when combined with God's Word, it can make a tremendous difference in the lives of the hearers. God did not permit me to go at this time but my heart is going with my brothers. Please pray for them.

Thank you for all your prayers on our behalf.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

We are enjoying family reunions with both of our families. We spent last weekend with the Magill family (Sharon's mom's) and this week we are with the Jewett siblings. Lots of stories have been told and the heritage of the loving Father has prevailed throughout both reunions. We are blessed to have the traditions of Christian faith in both of our families. It has been wonderful to reconnect. Especially in light of what we have been through these last four months, we are thankful for the foundation of Jesus Christ to sustain us and uplift us. Our families are a blessing to us.

Keep us in your prayers. We are traveling Friday and Saturday back to Jensen Beach. Sharon will see the Oncologist on Monday when we get back and we will find out what the next step is for her. We still claim complete healing for her. Pray that God is glorified in her healing. Thanks for checking on us.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Well, it's back to work for Sharon! The doctor gave her the clearance to go back to work full time when we get back from Tennessee. Two more weeks to heal should make a big difference in how she feels. The doctor took out the stitches and removed the bandages today. She saw the family doctor yesterday, the surgeon today and spoke with the oncologist today. The oncologist wants to continue the current treatment plan for now. The last cancer markers were down to 50. That was three weeks ago. We expect them to be much lower now. I still want us to go to Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa so they can review everything that has been done and evaluate where we are. We should do that when we get back after the 15th. This is good news but we still have a few hurdles to jump to be completely well. Pray that this will take place before the next visit with the oncologist in two weeks. The proof of the healing will be seen in the repeat PET scan that will probably be scheduled for the week after she goes back to work. Thank you for your faithful prayers on our behalf. Pray for safety as we travel these next 10 days. God bless you all.