Big Plans
There are big plans on the horizon for next Tuesday. This will be a key day for Valerie as the most vital people will all come together on her behalf. Monday Aunt Charlene and her husband Michael will be meeting Chris and Val at Carlsbad Airport where they will fly to Santa Monica. Tuesday morning Richard and Nancy will drive to Los Angeles to meet up with Char, Michael, Chris, and Val.
At 8:00 am a very important meeting will take place at Cedar-Sinai Hospital. All three of Valerie's doctors (Dr. Drazin, Dr. Nissan, and Dr. Klein) have agreed to all meet together with Valerie, Chris, Char, Michael, Richard, and Nancy for one hour. This will be a crucial discussion to make a clear plan for Val's 2006 treatments. There is a specific goal to be reached: Valerie's chemotherapy treatment will shrink her tumors to the point of making surgery possible (resection or transplant) and on to remission and even a cure. Tough goal we know, but we have confidence in these world-class doctors and even more we have hope in our All Mighty God Most High who has His very hand on Valerie.
Tuesday is also the first chemotherapy treatment for Val that will include Avastin along with Gemzar and Oxiplatin. We are eager to add this powerful drug to Val's regimen as there have been positive results of its impact on cholangiocarcinoma. The downside is that there is no clear answer yet if insurance will cover this drug. It is very expensive outside of insurance so this is an urgent prayer request this week. Other requests for prayer include:
- Val's blood test Tuesday morning will be positive and not jeopardize her treatment that day
- Val weathers the chemo well
- She will tolerate appropriate anti-nausea and pain medicines
- Two weeks from Tuesday Val will get another CT scan to determine the effectiveness of her treatment. SHRINK!
Thank you for your continued prayer for my sister Valerie
At 8:00 am a very important meeting will take place at Cedar-Sinai Hospital. All three of Valerie's doctors (Dr. Drazin, Dr. Nissan, and Dr. Klein) have agreed to all meet together with Valerie, Chris, Char, Michael, Richard, and Nancy for one hour. This will be a crucial discussion to make a clear plan for Val's 2006 treatments. There is a specific goal to be reached: Valerie's chemotherapy treatment will shrink her tumors to the point of making surgery possible (resection or transplant) and on to remission and even a cure. Tough goal we know, but we have confidence in these world-class doctors and even more we have hope in our All Mighty God Most High who has His very hand on Valerie.
Tuesday is also the first chemotherapy treatment for Val that will include Avastin along with Gemzar and Oxiplatin. We are eager to add this powerful drug to Val's regimen as there have been positive results of its impact on cholangiocarcinoma. The downside is that there is no clear answer yet if insurance will cover this drug. It is very expensive outside of insurance so this is an urgent prayer request this week. Other requests for prayer include:
- Val's blood test Tuesday morning will be positive and not jeopardize her treatment that day
- Val weathers the chemo well
- She will tolerate appropriate anti-nausea and pain medicines
- Two weeks from Tuesday Val will get another CT scan to determine the effectiveness of her treatment. SHRINK!
Thank you for your continued prayer for my sister Valerie
posted by McCrea Family at 9:06 PM
12 Comments:
Val, you have displayed amazing physical and mental strength over the last several weeks as you endure this battle. You along with your 'team'continue to fight this cancer with all that we have, and then some. We will approach our meeting next Tuesday morning with the same resolve - to come away with a 'clear' plan on the best treatment options in our quest to 'eradicate' this cancer from your body.
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." (Anonymous)
Aunt Charlene
Dear Val, Chris and family,
Always thinking of you and knowing that positive news lies ahead. I will say a special prayer Tuesday that your day is filled with peace, confidence and knowledge.
God Bless,
Frank and Jenny Gaetani
Val,
I continue to pray for your full recovery everyday.
I am a very good friend of Char and Michael and have been very anxious to read your progress through this incredible challenge. Please be aware of the prayers and thoughts of people that don't even directly know you! It is very inspiring to see how a family pulls together in crisis! All my prayers and positive thoughts are with you all!
Laura Hooker
Dear Val;
It was so nice to hang out with you yesterday, you are such an inspiration. Your strength, your joy, your hope, your endurance is amazing!! I am so proud to know you! I just love your determination to beat this, and beat it you will! I just know it! Like you said: If anybody can beat this, I can! I know as you do that God will also be in the meeting on Monday, and my prayer is that nothing will stand in the way of getting your goals accomplished, I pray that He would make it so clear to you what needs to be done, and where you should go next, that there would be no doubt. I pray that His will be done in all this, because we know that His plans are only for good to give you a future and hope. What an awesome God we have. So I pray that He would make His presence known to you and your "team" on Monday, that He would calm your hearts and your fears, and that He would guide your every word and decision on that day. We will be praying steadfastly on Monday, our hearts will be with you. Wanted to greet you with another song that reminds me so much of you, your faith and your Spirit.
Abba
I'm feeling like the eagle that rises
Flies above the earth and it's troubles
Oh yes he knows that there are valleys below
But under his wings there's a stronger power
Oh Father - You are my strength
On You I'll wait upon
You make the road rise up to meet me
You make the sun shine warm upon my face
The wind is at my back and the rain falls soft
God, I lift You high
You are my Abba
Running in this race to the finish line
The only road for me is the narrow
Not gonna stop or even look to the side
When I fix my eyes on You Jesus
Oh Father (Abba) - You are my strength
Now more than ever
When you've run too far - and the road is long
Can't walk another mile - He is waiting
Hope in Him again - He'll renew you
Then you will rise, gather up your wings and fly...
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
He gives strength to the weary
To those who hope in Him
They will soar like eagles
Rebecca St. James
Love, Osil :)
Val,
It was so wonderful to see you again this weekend. I crept out of your house dark early so as not to wake you. It made me sad not to say goodbye. As I drove north in the dark I felt a warmth come over me and a certainty that you will beat this beast. You are blessed to have such an incredible circle of faith and support around you. Your friend Osil reminded me of an Angel with light eminating around her, her kindness towards you comes from such a pure place. Kerry putting the foundation together and being such a gentle soul made me so happy. It warmed my heart to see you surrounded with such love. You are a very strong woman with unfaltering faith. God will take your hand and guide you through this journey towards your cure. Thank you for making the effort to be a part of my wedding shower. Everyone was so excited to see you!
I have someone in Minneapolis willing to hand deliver your information to Dr. Gores next week. Please call me so that I can make this happen for you.
I will see you next month
Love to you
Marianne
Sorry, I meant the meeting on Tuesday! Duh!
Val,
Your strength and endurance are tremendous--but you know this is nothing new for you. I have great admiration for how you carry youself with God's Grace. You inspire me in your unshaken faith. I know you are well taken care of in God's hands. You are a fine warrior--You GO girl--Dirt tea and all!
Val,
Thank you SO MUCH for having all of us over to your house yesterday! I had a great time and so did the kids! It is such a joy to see how they have all become such great friends...and watching them play together just warms my heart!
And you...as always...smiling and shining! You are really something special.
We are praying Val! Endlesssly! Tonight I prayed with my Aunt Margot in Connecticut...and we asked for the moon and the stars...we asked for it all. For incredible insight from your team of doctors on Monday and Tuesday...that they come together with you and your family and provide you with a plan that heals you completely. That the Avastin is covered by your insurance company 100%. That you continue to handle the chemotherapy the way that you have been...like a trooper!!! That as we are all speaking and praying, the cancer is being erased from you entirely. In His name, we pray all of this.
From Eph. 3:14-16..."For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in Heaven and Earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man."
For I am your greatest encourager 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ...
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you Psalm 34:18...
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart, Isaiah 40:11...
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes, Revelation 21:3-4...I often read those words...I pray that you feel everything our Father has said in those words...for they are the Truth...rest peacefully in them!
We will be with you in spirit Val on Monday and Tuesday! Please let me know how I can help! We will need to set up playdates for this holiday vacation also! Take care now and God Bless you!
P.S. We have an attorney! He can't meet this Friday due to a trial he is in the middle of. We will plan a day next week if you are up for it...if not, the following week. Just know...we are there girl...this is the last step and then we are up and running!!!
Love,
Kerry Randall
Val and Chris, Bill and I are praying for you and hope this treatment goes as planned for you on Tuesday! God Bless and Love you both. Val, Bill and Liam
Beverly and I will be especially remembering you on Tuesday and trusting God to give divine direction to your medical team.
Love,
Dale and Bev
Val,
My prayers are with you and your "team" tomorrow. I wish for you answers to your questions and that they find that the chemo is shrinking your tumors.
Enjoy your time with your family members coming to visit for Christmas.
Marianne
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