The Near Horizon

Highlights of our trip to Cedars last Tuesday:

The meeting with our Doctors went well. We did'nt overwhelm them but delivered a clear message that we expect them to lead us into a chemotherapy regimen that doesn't have much history. Char made a comment that seemed to go mostly unnoticed, she turned to the three doctors and said, "someday when you're old and grey, you will tell your grandchildren about this amazing patient named Valerie McCrea who beat the odds of an orphan cancer called cholangiocarcinoma". "Dear Lord, we are praying that is true. "We were informed that Val could not receive the scheduled infusion of Avastin unless we paid cash in advance. A large sum was paid and Val received her 1st infusion of Avastin along with her present regimen of Gemzar and Oxaliplatin. She struggled with nausea during the infusion and has had pain but, we are thankful for the pain patch that lasts three days. It has helped. January 3rd looms large on the horizon. Val has a PET/CT scan scheduled that will assess the efficacy of 8 weeks of chemotherapy. But do not let this truth escape you dear ones, this test will also bear witness to God's mighty power to heal and answer the prayer of all of our hearts. As we begin 2006, many legitimate medical voices speak to us and say, "follow this course of treatment, no follow another, or another". What are we to do? The answer is easy and it is hard. God will give direction through the results of the Pet/Ct. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."
Dear Saints of God Most High, To all of our friends and family who stand with Val:

Thank You Lord
for Your Sovereign control over our circumstances
for Your holy character in spite of our sinfulness
for Your commitment to us even when we wander astray
for Your Word that gives us direction
for Your love that holds us close
for Your gentle compassion in our sorrows
for Your consistent faithfulness through our highs and lows
for Your understanding when we are confused
for Your Spirit that enlightens our eyes
for Your Grace that removes our guilt

for Your son the Lord Jesus who came to earth in the form of a baby to pay the penalty of our sins.

Merry Christmas to All

Richard and Nancy Sloan