Blood Transfusion...

Valerie had chemotherapy in Encinitas today. Before every chemo session Valerie has to get her white and red blood cells as well as her blood platelets checked. Today her blood count was low, almost too low to proceed with chemotherapy, but it was decided to go ahead with the treatment. The Gemzar in her chemotherapy "cocktail" further reduces her blood count so the doctor scheduled Val for a blood transfusion tomorrow morning.

My mom, Nancy, was in contact with the American Red Cross about blood donation. If you are interested in donating blood in Valerie's name contact 1-800-GIVE-LIFE and you can get information about this. It is not until someone you love needs blood that one typically thinks about donating, but the Red Cross told my mom that their supply is incredibly low.

Val seemed to be doing well tonight. Pretty tired from her treatment and all of those chemicals flowing through her body. Thanks to those who prayed for Val today. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Blessings, Julie

CT results, Vacation

Hello All-
Just an update on the most recent PET/CT. As you know the PET looked good. The CT results showed shrinkage as well. All the liver tumors and the 2 lympth nodes had shrunk. This is great news considering all the previous results showed "stable" but no shrinkage. Val and I are encouraged! She will stay on the Gemsar, Avastin and Oxi. Until her next scan in 4 weeks. The Surgeon and Oncologist are looking into the Theraspheres and will refer if appropriate. We will talk with them this week. Chemo tomorrow (Thursday) which she is starting to dread every 2 weeks but she reminds herself it's medicine.
We had a Hawaii trip planned for kauai in Princeville this last week but we had to cancel it because of the rain and flooding there. Instead we took the boys (all three) to Big Bear to snow ski. Both Gavin 5 and Ryan 6 were both skiing for the first time. Val really enjoyed this time with the boys. We were all on skis which was truly a blessing. The fresh air and break from reality was awesome. Val and I miss skiing so much. We all skied 2 days and Val felt great. We have missed skiing and it has been a long time since we have skied together. After we got back from skiing Val and I went to Cabo for 4 days with no kids. It was incredible. A much needed break for Val and she enjoyed the time away from the kids. I thought she would miss them to much to enjoy the time. We stayed at Pueblo Bontito Pacifica Holistic Spa & Retreat. We lounged around at the pool. Val did a massage and I went to a Off Road racing park. Our room was over looking the water and we listened to the waves every night.

Please Pray for her continued strength to manage Chemo. Her nausea stays under control and CT results continue to improve.

Thanks to all for the support and prayers!!!

-Chris

Perfect Peace

In the 14th chapter of Exodus, when God's people, the Israelites, were fleeing from their bondage under the Egyptians, The LORD said to Moses,"Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert', And he will pursue them.

When the Pharaoh was told that the people had fled, he changed his mind and said, "We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!" So he had his
chariot made ready and took his army with him. He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. So he pursued the Israelites.

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and were terrified. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

In Exodus 14:14, Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

The end of this matter can be found in verses 15 to 29, but the message I leave with you today, beloved, is that the God we serve is the same one who spoke to the Israelites through Moses. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

At another time, a storm overtook the disciples on the Sea of Galilee. Like the Israelites, they too were terrified and cried out to the Lord. Jesus was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

For those of you who travel by air, the next time you board a flight in the gloom of dark clouds, sit back and recall the Israelites and the Disciples. A few minutes after takeoff, you will find yourself breaking out of the clouds into the bright blue skies above. And remember that the God who parted the Red Sea, who calmed the Sea of Galilee, is the one who is with you through the storms of your life.

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

"Just Give Me Jesus"

Boston Light. The first lighthouse in America. Built in 1716, damaged in the Revolutionary War, and re-built in 1783. The light can be seen 27 miles at sea.

Jesus is our lighthouse to guide us through the storms.

After hearing this description of Jesus narrated by Ann Graham Lotz with music by Fernando Ortega, we knew we wanted to share it with you. Be prepared for 11 minutes that will fill your heart and soul.

Click the buttons sequentially to hear the entire message.

Thank You!!!

Thank you to:

*To my husband whom I love dearly (we just celebrated 10 years of marriage). He is holding our family together.
*My Mom and Dad who have been living this cancer with me since OCT. They have been my life line.
* Thank you to my dear sister Julie, whom I miss dearly because she lives in San Francisco. She and Chad have been responsible for this whole blog and many other sources of help and information.
*Thank you to Paul my brother who comes over and helps with my boys. He also lets them spend the night at his house. Total Terror!!!! ha ha.
*Thanks to my brother Jeff for his prayers and support. He has his whole church praying for me! I miss him. He lives in AL.
*Aunt Char who with time, energy and love has moved mountains for me in the area of research, insurance, appointments with doctors across the country. I love you Char!
*Thank you to Dawn (my nanny). She has a gentle calming spirit and my kids love her!
I do not know how I would have gotten through this last 4 months w/o her.
*All my Mom's in Touch gals for prayers gifts, unconditional love and friendship.
*For all my friends that help me with the kids when I am out of town.
*Thank you for ALL the meals that have been delivered. They have saved me. As you can imagine 4 boys in my house eat a lot.
*Brian Stiver my boss who has visited me every time I have had Chemo in L.A. and helped us with Avastin problems.
*All my friends at work who donated their own vacation time to extend my pay.
*My work for sending a nurse and hydration on a Friday at 5:30pm for free.
*My Healthnet friends for your gifts and generosity!
*Thank you for all the of prayers that have gone up for me from Emmanuel Faith Community Church.
*Thank you for the prayer team at Valley Bible Church that has committed to pray for me.
*Thank you for my extended family in CO, MI, AL for your prayers. Our family has turned into a solid network of believers.
*Thank you for all my friends who have contacted me out of love ranging from 1st grade all the way to present. The support, gifts and love is overwhelming.
*Dr. Tasher for helping me with local RX and love from his family.
*All my neighbors for love and prayers.
*There are silent prayer warriors out there whom I do not know. Thank you! Blessings to you and your family!

*Most of all I thank my God. His promises to me are true. His Power is real. His strength is revealed to me every day. Thank you Jesus!

Colossians 3:1-5
"Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your God appears, then you also will appear with him in Glory. "

What a Promise!!!

Great News!!

Val got some fantastic news this morning about the test results from the PET scan that she had done yesterday!!

"Mild to moderate interval DECREASE in size and intensity of previously seen multiple focal areas. No new lesions or tumors."

This PET scan was a comparrison to the PET scan done on Jan. 3rd. These results are very encouraging! PET scans show the "metabolic activity" or the life and intensity of the cancer. The CT scan shows actual images of the tumors. The CT test results will be available probably Monday, but we would expect to see results from that correspond with the PET results.

Praise God for constant love and tender mercy for Valerie. As I write this she is in the middle of chemotherapy at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in L.A. Pray that the while the chemo drugs are annihilating the cancer that her body will tolerate the assault. Pray for minimal side-effects and restful weekend.

We are forever grateful to those who keep Val constantly in their prayers.

Julie

PET/CT, Chemo 10 and TheraSpheres

The light at Pemaquid Point, Maine was built in 1827 for $2,800 during the presidency of John Quincy Adams. The tower is 38 feet tall and can be seen 14 miles at sea.

I am very excited about our treatment plans on the near horizon! Val and Chris are going to Cedars next Wednesday for a PET/CT and consult with Dr. Drazin. Nancy and I are leaving Escondido at 5 am Thursday morning to be with Val for Chemo 10. Char has been talking to Dr. Nissen about the use of TheraSpheres. This is a scaled down version of a nuclear airstrike using Cruise Missles to target and attack specific tumors in the liver.

Our reserve forces are very formidable. I talked to Dr. Lenz from USC Norris this week. He is standing ready if changes to our therapy are needed. Also, Char is working with M.D. Anderson to track down all our slides and get a formal report comparing the CT Scans from 2/6 to previous scans.

Please pray that all these pieces come together, for positive results from the PE/CT, for a good plan to execute Theraspheres, and that Val weathers the Chemo 10 infusion well.

In Every High and Stormy Gale

When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.

The hymn writer, Edward Mote (1797-1874), was a cabinet maker from England. Like you and I, beloved, I doubt that Mr. Mote ever saw the Lord Jesus face to face. But I am sure that, like us, his spirit soared whenever he read these words.

The Apostle Thomas, was one of only twelve men in the history of the world privileged to spend several years with the God of Creation as He traveled the dusty roads of Israel. Day by day, he watched Jesus raise the dead, heal the sick, cast out demons, teach the truth, feed the masses, rebuke the religious leaders. And yet, Thomas doubted that Jesus had been raised from the dead.

In the 20th chapter of John's Gospel, Thomas is in a house with some disciples. The doors are locked in fear of the authorities. Jesus appears. "Thomas, put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

The Lord's words to Thomas are really a message for you and I beloved. "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Dear saints of God most High, thank you for your continuing prayers and hard work on Valerie's behalf. I can say with certainty that the Lord accepts them all as acts of worship. Your tears are not forgotten beloved. May He continue to strengthen and encourage you. May the knowledge of Him be yours in abundance.

And now unto Him who is able to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, to Him be glory now and forever more.

Tough Time

Valerie had a chemotherapy treatment yesterday for the first time in San Diego, which is great, but since the treatment she has been unbelievably sick. Please pray that she can eat and rest today and feel better. We have a love/ hate relationship with the chemotherapy it seems. It is reducing the cancer, but at the same time so hard on her whole body.

God's Word tell us that He will never ask us to do something that He won't also give us the strength to do. We pray specifically for strength this day.

Julie