Kinetic Shift...

Is. 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.

We are approaching the seventh month since Jody first had any idea something was wrong with her health. The journey has taken some interesting turns - but none as interesting as those of this last week.

After Jody's radiosurgery, our neurosurgeon provided us with a referral to an oncologist (this would be the fourth) that he said we must see. He warned us that we might have to wait six weeks. By God's grace we were in his office within two weeks (with blessed help from our dear Logan who continues to befriend the P.A.'s and office staff to our advantage.)

He was the right man for us. Skillful, compassionate, and with the ability to articulate clear answers to our questions. He won our trust. After reviewing our case and examining Jody, he made this amazing statement:

"You have been able to change the kinetics of this disease or you wouldn't be sitting here."

I can't describe to you the encouragement that statement is to us, because it underlines the fact that God is working mightily! It also commends Jody personally for her diligence following her difficult regimen. All of it is praise to God as far as I am concerned! We are so thankful.

The good news is - we've found an oncologist to trust, that understands us. The bad news is that he's in Newport Beach. It just did not make good sense to him or us to treat Jody from such a long distance from home. So he referred us to someone much closer to us, but we were concerned that we would never have this "trust connection" with yet another doctor. (Fifth oncologist?!?)

I'm writing now after seeing "No. 5." In my prayers to the Lord today, I begged Him to make it clear how to proceed - because frankly - we were at the end of the line as far as being able to endure these appointments. It was one of those - "If you're gonna do it Lord, I need you to do it now!" prayers. And just like it says...

Psa. 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

It turns out that our appointment with Doctor No. 5 was a great success and an even further confirmation, encouragement, and help to us! He too was unable to reconcile Jody's overall wellness with the level of disease she is fighting. He wants all of the pathology done again, and more time to go over Jody's case until next week. Then he told us to "keep doing whatever you're doing".

We know we are not "out of the woods" by any means, but God will be praised this day because of these encouraging developments. We attribute it all to His mercy and graciousness - and to your prayers for us! Please keep praying that we continue to trust God's perfect will for our lives - and that His will concerning us is that my sweet Jody would be cancer free someday!

3 John 2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

Eighteen Years Ago Today... (6-21-88)

...I was fortunate enough to marry this fascinating, exquisite woman.

We picked this spot to be wed because of one simple truth we learned here.

Sometime prior to this day, we had sat on a bench, enjoying each others company for what must have been an hour or two - right in front of a tree like just like this (if not the very tree).

Suddenly we realized that we were not alone at all, but were in the presence of a humming bird, darting in and about the tree directly in front of us. As our minds slowly zoomed in on the scene - and we started paying attention - it became evident that in fact there were two hummingbirds, a nest, and baby hummingbirds micro-chirping in the nest.

It was terribly romantic - but even more memorable all these years later is how we can be so unaware of the transcendent details surrounding us - even when they're right there in front of us in plain view. We're so busy most of the time, we miss out.

Dear Lord Jesus, I humbly thank you for blessing me with Jody all of these eighteen years. Even as we live expectantly for Your return, we bless Your name for allowing us to enjoy a wondrous, purposeful life on earth, and that in the company of angels. I am certain I married one.

[Inscribed in our wedding bands is this scripture...]

Rev. 21:6 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.

Update and Prayer Requests 6/16...

Dear Praying Friends,

Psa. 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.

Jody continues to feel well - and has told me that she is feeling better than she has in a while. I am so grateful for every hint that my angel feels better in any way. She has her strength back to the level it was at before the Gamma Knife procedure. Jesus is our loving Savior and is merciful, holy God.

So much has been happening behind the scenes as we seek wisdom for our "next move". Last Monday we met with a hard to reach specialist on our list. He is a doctor who invented many cancer drugs. This meeting straightened out several key pieces of misinformation we received from other doctors. Not to be boring but here is an example:

Two other very well respected oncologists told us that a particular drug would not be a good choice for Jody because it really only works well with "young non-smoking Asian women" with Jody's type of cancer. Well - that was not the story at all. In fact, the molecularly targeted drug apparently works well with female non-smoking lung cancer patients - the majority of which were Asian in the trial typically cited. Subtle language but big difference in meaning!

Anyway, I thank God for every tidbit I can get - and was grateful to meet this doctor. The net result of the appointment is that we have an option back on the table that we had previously ruled out.

On another front, we have made progress towards the ablation procedure we are seeking. It looks like we might have this done in July, Lord willing.

Please pray with us:

• Lord, thank you for allowing Jody to feel so well! Help us to exhibit unwavering trust as You draw us deeper into Your will during this trial - whatever it is we will praise You!
• We ask for wisdom as we plan our next step towards ablation in July.
• We ask for guidance as we consider treatment options previously ruled out. These options are best for someone who has more symptoms - yet Lord - Jody is not in pain. (Thank You!) We will wait on You, Father, to make it clear regarding how, if, and when to proceed.
• We praise You, Father, for all of those who pray for and minister to us. Bless and encourage each one!
• May it be your will to heal my precious wife! You are the Great Physician! Amen!
  

Post Gamma Note From My Beloved...

Hello Dear Friends!

I just wanted to let you know that I'm really doing well!

I was pretty tired for a couple of days but I just rested in bed and listened to John MacArthur tapes as he taught through parts of Matthew. It was an enjoyable time!

Some of you are wondering if I lost any hair during this procedure - and the wonderful answer is NO! :-) Because the radiation was so perfectly and precisely directed at each lesion, hair loss is not an issue at all (the Lord was so gracious to this vain daughter)! I do have some soreness where they actually attached (with screws) a mask to my head. This mask was then attached to the "gamma machine" so that my head could not move at all! The whole experience was truly remarkable.

The Lord was with me every second of the procedure as I listened to hymns and thought about Him! When the doctors came in to re-position me, one of them and I conversed about hymns vs praise choruses. I told him I liked a mix but he was prone to hymns. I was just blown away that I was talking to a believer! Praise God! And all the while my beloved husband, dear Logan, and sweet sister Annie were in the hallway praying and waiting, and resting in Him!

I love Spurgeon's words: "Believe that the deepest afflictions are always the highest joys. The greatest possible privileges lie close to the darkest trials. The more bitter your sorrow, the louder your song at the end. There is a reason, and that reason faith may discover and experience may live on. Our afflictions are the highway that leads us closer to God ... " My trial is leading me closer to our Most High, most loving and gracious Lord, and as challenging as it is, there is no place I would rather be.

I thank you again for your heartfelt prayers on my behalf!

Love in the Savior,

Jody

The Gamma Praise Report...

C.H. Spurgeon said:

"No net of trouble can so hold us that the Lord cannot free us. Our afflictions may be numerous and complicated, but prayer can set us free from them all, for the Lord will show Himself strong on our behalf."

This is what we have experienced today, and all the praise goes to Jesus Christ our Lord...

Jody is doing extremely well. Here are just a few of the ways God's strength and tenderness manifested itself in our lives today...

1. God gave us amazing grace every minute. We had "smooth sailing" from the time we awoke (about 4:00 am), throughout our entire hospital stay, and until the time we arrived back at the hotel (3:30 pm). Every detail was expertly handled by the medical team. The Lord was our banner, our healer, our strength and joy!
2. Our Neurosurgeon told us exactly what to expect in advance, and by God's grace, everything the doctor predicted came to pass - slightly ahead of schedule!
   
3. Each of the "mets" targeted by today's procedure were successfully treated! Jody will have a follow-up scan in six to eight weeks. They also follow up with scans throughout the year. The Lord has protected my sweet angel in a powerful way today.
   
4. We had several opportunities to share that we were lovers of Jesus Christ with hospital staff - we gave out copies of Jody's music - and lo and behold - the Gamma Team (two other specialists) turned out to be Christians! They recognized the hymns (Jody had instrumental hymns from Offertories playing during the procedure) and said "they had a sing along" in the control room! Praise the Lord!
5. We have a "green light" from our Neurosurgeon to pursue the treatments we were seeking for Jody's body (RFA, etc..) We will trust the Lord for our next move after she has had sufficient rest.

Jody is resting, enjoying some icepacks on her head, and is not showing any signs of swelling or problems that sometimes occur post-op. We are so grateful. She is allowed to return to "normal activity" tomorrow (but we are taking it really easy, and simply traveling home.) What an amazing experience. All the glory goes to our Lord who has been guiding us every moment. Hallelujah to our Holy Lord!

Jody says "God poured out His grace upon me today; your prayers were felt, honored, and I trust rewarded by the Lord of Hosts. I am surprised at how well I feel. Thank you for your faithful prayers!"