Another successful and blessed run to Houston. The labs and chest x-ray were very good. The kidney and liver functions were great...go figure for a liver totally involved with tumors! The CT Scan was also unremarkable, except for the one little spot on the kidney, which has been there all along. They say it is probably just a cyst. It is one tenth of a centimeter larger than it was last time. So, they will continue to monitor it...no big deal.
We are truly overwhelmed by your concern, calls and prayers. We are so unworthy of the blessings we receive each day, but believe me, we will take them.
We will go back to MDA in May or June for the same regimen. If everything stays put, we will look to not go back for six months. Judy and I send our love to all our friends and prayer partners.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
MD Anderson
Well, it's time to follow up at MD Anderson. we will be leaving Monday afternoon to go to Tennessee Colony and spend the night with Judy's brother John. Then, we will proceed to Houston Tuesday morning, doing labs at 2PM and a CT Scan afterwards. We will see the doctor Wednesday at 1:30 to get the results of the tests.
We have heard from many of you who are praying for good results. We are so comforted by your encouragement. We know that God's plan has not changed, so we are prepared for whatever comes. Judy has continued to feel well and hasn't slowed down at all, continuing to work at the doctor's office and her other part-time jobs. When we think of others who suffer from chemotherapy and radiation, we know we are so blessed to not have to contend with these severe side effects.
So, stay tuned and we will report again after our visit on Wednesday. We love you all,
Ronnie and Judy
We have heard from many of you who are praying for good results. We are so comforted by your encouragement. We know that God's plan has not changed, so we are prepared for whatever comes. Judy has continued to feel well and hasn't slowed down at all, continuing to work at the doctor's office and her other part-time jobs. When we think of others who suffer from chemotherapy and radiation, we know we are so blessed to not have to contend with these severe side effects.
So, stay tuned and we will report again after our visit on Wednesday. We love you all,
Ronnie and Judy
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving
It's 7:45 AM Thanksgiving morning and I just rolled out of bed. We are at Bob and Stacey's for the holiday. I have just finished reading Judy's post and I can't agree with her more. Staring death in the face has given Judy a fearlessness she hasn't known before...not to do crazy or stupid things with abandon, but to face and challenge every day as if it were her last. On second thought, there may be one exception to that last statement:
While we were in Costa Rica a couple of weeks ago, Judy rode a cable car to the top of a mountain and navigated eight zip lines through the rain forest for almost two miles to the bottom. Now that may be a little crazy and out of character for her. Aside from that, her bravery comes from an urgency to not let a day go by without making the best of her situation. Her eyes and heart are always looking for someone in need or some way she can do something good in the name of Christ. You may say that Judy has always been that way, and you are right. However now, she has a new resolve with the challenges that she faces each day.
Every day people are asking me, "But Ronnie, how are you doing?". You may have heard someone say, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". Well for me, I can testify that in my case, Judy's confidence and positive spirit and her "no fear" attitude make things so much easier for me. How can I be down and sad when she is so up and happy? How can I complain when she is so positive? How can I ask God why when Judy is asking God, what do You have next for me?
Our prayer on this Thanksgiving day would be to challenge each and everyone who reads this blog to look for opportunities to do something good for someone else...if maybe just a word of encouragment. If you haven't seen the movie, "The Blind Side", go out today and rent it and watch it with your family. You can make a difference in someone else's life by looking around and behind and then acting on the opportunity that God presents to you.
God called home last Sunday someone who was everything I was just talking about. So many or you can relate an incident or story where Debbie Puett was there when you needed her. Or, you may have gotten a note of encouragment from her at just the right time when you needed it most. That's what I'm talking about! Some of us need to take the baton that Debbie has handed off and run the race.
Judy and I are so blessed to have such a great host of friends who give us support and love and encouragment. I hope you know how much we love everyone of you and thank God for you. Now, dare to do something wild and crazy for someone else and see how God will bless you even more than you can imagine.
While we were in Costa Rica a couple of weeks ago, Judy rode a cable car to the top of a mountain and navigated eight zip lines through the rain forest for almost two miles to the bottom. Now that may be a little crazy and out of character for her. Aside from that, her bravery comes from an urgency to not let a day go by without making the best of her situation. Her eyes and heart are always looking for someone in need or some way she can do something good in the name of Christ. You may say that Judy has always been that way, and you are right. However now, she has a new resolve with the challenges that she faces each day.
Every day people are asking me, "But Ronnie, how are you doing?". You may have heard someone say, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". Well for me, I can testify that in my case, Judy's confidence and positive spirit and her "no fear" attitude make things so much easier for me. How can I be down and sad when she is so up and happy? How can I complain when she is so positive? How can I ask God why when Judy is asking God, what do You have next for me?
Our prayer on this Thanksgiving day would be to challenge each and everyone who reads this blog to look for opportunities to do something good for someone else...if maybe just a word of encouragment. If you haven't seen the movie, "The Blind Side", go out today and rent it and watch it with your family. You can make a difference in someone else's life by looking around and behind and then acting on the opportunity that God presents to you.
God called home last Sunday someone who was everything I was just talking about. So many or you can relate an incident or story where Debbie Puett was there when you needed her. Or, you may have gotten a note of encouragment from her at just the right time when you needed it most. That's what I'm talking about! Some of us need to take the baton that Debbie has handed off and run the race.
Judy and I are so blessed to have such a great host of friends who give us support and love and encouragment. I hope you know how much we love everyone of you and thank God for you. Now, dare to do something wild and crazy for someone else and see how God will bless you even more than you can imagine.
From Judy:
It's Thanksgiving morning. There is so much to be thankful for.
It has been 8 months since we began this journey and it has been quite a ride. When I tell you,I have learned something new everyday, I'm not kidding. Mostly, I have learned alot more about the Bible. I can't believe all the love notes God has written to us, that have been new to me. Where have I been!
I have become very brave. This is not something I went after. It just happened.It has been a gift from God. I think about my cancer everyday. I think about the past,the now,and the future. We are very aware of what I have. We know there is no cure. This is a very rare type of cancer. It always ends in death.
However.......they are learning more about it everyday. Before many years they will find a cure.
In the mean time, I do not intend to just sit around and wait. I am moving on. There are many things I need to do and things I need to try to take care of. Besides.I am not afraid. We have such a great support team behind our family and that is one of the things I am very grateful for this morning. Truly,I can not think about how horrible this would be without YOU!
People always say,'God will give you what you need, when you need it.' Boy,they are not kidding. There is such a sweet peace with Christ. When you have no other place to go and the battle is too big for you, He is there. When the future looks bad and it's too hard to look at it, He is there..... Amazing. Believe me,I did not choose this road and honestly, even today, I wouldn't choose it. However.....it is still quite a ride. And as long as He is driving, am in.
I pray for you, that you will have a peaceful Thankgiving. And no matter what is happening to you, remember,there will always be a morning and there will always be someone that loves you a whole lot more than I do...and I love you alot.
Judy
.
It has been 8 months since we began this journey and it has been quite a ride. When I tell you,I have learned something new everyday, I'm not kidding. Mostly, I have learned alot more about the Bible. I can't believe all the love notes God has written to us, that have been new to me. Where have I been!
I have become very brave. This is not something I went after. It just happened.It has been a gift from God. I think about my cancer everyday. I think about the past,the now,and the future. We are very aware of what I have. We know there is no cure. This is a very rare type of cancer. It always ends in death.
However.......they are learning more about it everyday. Before many years they will find a cure.
In the mean time, I do not intend to just sit around and wait. I am moving on. There are many things I need to do and things I need to try to take care of. Besides.I am not afraid. We have such a great support team behind our family and that is one of the things I am very grateful for this morning. Truly,I can not think about how horrible this would be without YOU!
People always say,'God will give you what you need, when you need it.' Boy,they are not kidding. There is such a sweet peace with Christ. When you have no other place to go and the battle is too big for you, He is there. When the future looks bad and it's too hard to look at it, He is there..... Amazing. Believe me,I did not choose this road and honestly, even today, I wouldn't choose it. However.....it is still quite a ride. And as long as He is driving, am in.
I pray for you, that you will have a peaceful Thankgiving. And no matter what is happening to you, remember,there will always be a morning and there will always be someone that loves you a whole lot more than I do...and I love you alot.
Judy
.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
God Must Really Love Judy
Four months of feeling really good...means the Sandostaten shot is doing it's appointed job. The report from Dr. Phan says the cancer is stabilized and under control. As a result, we continue the current regimen of one shot a month for the next 4 months. Then, we return to MDA for another check-up and scan.
Since God didn't choose to remove the cancer completely, He must have something really good to show us...we are ready. Or, possibly He just thinks we need more time to become totally dependent on Him. He will receive the glory and praise, no matter what faces us in the future.
As an aside, Judy woke up this morning telling me that she had visualized a host of Angels welcoming her to the hospital. A total peace and calmness followed and carried her the whole day. Isn't God neat???
Since God didn't choose to remove the cancer completely, He must have something really good to show us...we are ready. Or, possibly He just thinks we need more time to become totally dependent on Him. He will receive the glory and praise, no matter what faces us in the future.
As an aside, Judy woke up this morning telling me that she had visualized a host of Angels welcoming her to the hospital. A total peace and calmness followed and carried her the whole day. Isn't God neat???
Monday, September 13, 2010
Hello Houston
Well, we are back in Houston for our check-up. Carson, Casey, Judy and I just got back from Trueluck's restaurant. We had a lovely dinner with old friends, Peter and Deb Shipman. They're trying to get me to play spades and I want to get this blog done.
So...here's our schedule: Starting at 11 AM tomorrow, Judy starts her tests. We should be done about three or so. Then, we meet with Dr. Pham at 10:30 Wednesday to get the results of the tests. We will drive back to Mesquite that afternoon. You can look for a blog sometime Wednesday afternoon.
We covet your prayers for us to be totally and completely receptive to what God has planned for us. We will praise Him for healing, or we will praise Him for not healing, knowing that His purpose is holy and perfect. We cannot possibly understand His will, but we are totally committed to His Plan. When Judy awoke this morning, she had such peace and felt no fear. Isn't God so sweet?
See you again Wednesday,
Ronnie
So...here's our schedule: Starting at 11 AM tomorrow, Judy starts her tests. We should be done about three or so. Then, we meet with Dr. Pham at 10:30 Wednesday to get the results of the tests. We will drive back to Mesquite that afternoon. You can look for a blog sometime Wednesday afternoon.
We covet your prayers for us to be totally and completely receptive to what God has planned for us. We will praise Him for healing, or we will praise Him for not healing, knowing that His purpose is holy and perfect. We cannot possibly understand His will, but we are totally committed to His Plan. When Judy awoke this morning, she had such peace and felt no fear. Isn't God so sweet?
See you again Wednesday,
Ronnie
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Gearing Up
Well, we go to MD Anderson for tests and scan next Tuesday. Although we know that many of you have been praying regularly for Judy, we want to ask you to pray specifically for complete healing, evidenced by a clear CT Scan. We know God is quite capable of removing the cancer from Judy's body, if He so chooses, in order to accomplish His purpose to give witness to His mighty power and grace.
Judy and I are trying our best to have faith for complete healing, but our humanness keeps creeping in with doubts. I guess we just fear failing in our faith...what will others think if healing doesn't happen? Pray that we can walk so closely with God that we will know comfort and purpose no matter what comes our way. God has already used Judy's cancer to touch many people for His glory. If He has more He wants us to do with the cancer, then, to God be the glory! If He wants to use miraculous healing to accomplish His plan, then, to God be the glory!
We want to thank everyone of you for your friendship, encouragement, your support, and most of all, your prayers. We will be on the blog next Wednesday with news from the doctors. God bless every one of you in a very special way.
Ronnie and Judy
Judy and I are trying our best to have faith for complete healing, but our humanness keeps creeping in with doubts. I guess we just fear failing in our faith...what will others think if healing doesn't happen? Pray that we can walk so closely with God that we will know comfort and purpose no matter what comes our way. God has already used Judy's cancer to touch many people for His glory. If He has more He wants us to do with the cancer, then, to God be the glory! If He wants to use miraculous healing to accomplish His plan, then, to God be the glory!
We want to thank everyone of you for your friendship, encouragement, your support, and most of all, your prayers. We will be on the blog next Wednesday with news from the doctors. God bless every one of you in a very special way.
Ronnie and Judy
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