Thursday was Chemo Education day…afterwards I was looking for my cap and gown to wear when we walked out of the office, but alas there was none. Oh well, that’s ok. We left the appointment armed with information and a little better understanding of what is ahead. We met with his main nurse for the medical information, a social worker, and the financial liasion. Chemo education day was yet another good reminder of why we returned to the US for Chris’ treatment because this kind of support is not the specialty of the Thai system.
- Lord, thank you for the people you have brought to work alongside us. Thank you for your good gifts both in people and through information.
We are thankful that the Lord brought us through to Port Day. The picture below gives a little example of what Chris got today. It lies beneath his skin and will be a direct line for his chemo and protect his veins, though his veins are in good shape. This is yet another gift from the Lord in our return to the US. I don’t think a chemo port would have been part of his treatment if we had stayed in Thailand, but I may be wrong.
- Jesus, thank you for getting us this far without illness or further challenge! You have given creativity and skill to many to make things like chemo ports available. We are blessed by these gifts.
Chris continues to have what we have started to call “pain attacks”. Like I have written earlier, it seems like the lymph nodes are pressing on a nerve and it creates sudden very intense spikes in pain. We had hoped the steroids he started on Wednesday would have made this pain vanish, sadly this has not been the case. He needs to stay off his feet and remember to lie down at various intervals. I also have to remember to set my alarm for his pain pills…this is new territory for me, all the pill management. Thanks to our Lord, Chris has had more energy overall with the steroids.
- Lord, please continue to provide healing, pain relief, and good decision making to help Chris and his pain levels. You Jesus, are Lord over Chris’ body.
The kids return to Grand Rapids on Saturday and we have chemo on Monday!
The adventure continues!
Psalm 119 (parts of 73,76)
Lord, your hands made Chris and formed him, may your unfailing love be our comfort
I had a bone infection while I was in college, which required a pic line (a port that went from my inner upper arm to my heart) to get daily antibiotics. When they removed the pic line they gave it to me to keep, so I suppose that’s something to look forward to đ
Praying for more respite from the pain. And for the reunion with the kids.
My son had a port during 44 months of leukemia treatment. It worked flawlessly & his veins were not easy to access, so he had it longer than most people. He hit puberty during that time (age 11 to 15) and grew 10″ taller. the doctors had a hard time getting the port out. They didn’t let us keep it, but I took a photo of it. He also had a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line and nasojejunal tube (from nose to intestine) for nutrition during a scary stint in ICU. You learn all kinds of things in the hospital!
Thank you Lord for guiding the hands and hearts of the medical team that inserted the port, provided chemo education, social workers, financial liaison, nurses, pharmacists, house keeping, etc.
Thank you Lord the kids will return and the whole family can be united under one roof.
Lord help Chris to experience good pain control. Help him to sleep through the night and rest during the day. Lord fill Becca with your strength and help her to care for her body as she cares for Chris.
I feel the Spanish language expresses better how I feel when I see this photo of Chris. Pobrecito. El es tan flaco. Crying with you.
Becca, Thank you for sharing your journey.
We continue to lift Chris and your whole family as we pray for healing and strength for the journey. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He knows you, He cares for you, He loves you. With much love, Estrella & Terry Gibbs.
Thank you for all the updates. It truly helps to know how to pray specifically for the challenges you are facing day by day.
It was disappointing to read the steroids havenât eliminated the pain. One of my prayer partners in AZ has walked this path – having finished her chemo & radiation about a year ago. She thought theyâd probably do the placement of the port when they did the biopsy because that was her experience.
Please know, even when we donât âmake a commentâ very often that we are regularly lifting you up in prayer.
Treasure (WSBC)
Chris and family,
We are praying for you and your family.
May God comfort you with his love and peace
God Bless
Jack & Margie Love
Matthew 7:25
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
We trust Him for your healing, moment by moment.
Thank you for the update and keeping this at the forefront to lift up in prayer. May God give you everything you need for this difficult journey. He knows best what your heart longs for and desperately needs today. May He continue to surprise you with a sustaining kindness.
So good to read this update. Your are resting in His everlasting arms. Love you guys.
I am praying for you and your family regularly and the team is as well in many different contexts. Praying for wisdom for the Drs. reduction in your pain, sleep, that your family and friends would know how to support you, that you would know how to support Becca and the kids, for good schooling options, friends to come alongside you, and that you would all know God’s love and care for you in personal and deep ways during these hard days even when he seems silent. Keep the updates coming! We love and miss you Chris as well as Becca, Luis, Lucas, and Emalene!
Erica and I are praying for you both. God is good!
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” I know you two will use this in the future for His glory. Prayers continue.
Praying for you. Thank you Lord for the port and each Dr, Nurse and care giver. Your grace is astounding. May we all know how close and glorious you are as we come alongside and lift up Chris, Becca and their family.
Thankyou Lord for this promise in your word in Ps 34.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;
Psalms 34:17â-âŹ19 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.34.17-19.NIV
Obrigado querido pai pelo teu amor e cuidado ajuda nĂłs confiar totalmente no senhor Jesus guia nĂłs pelo difĂcil caminho mas confiamos na tua providĂȘncia e proteção!! Abraços de sua irmĂŁ Cristo Rosane!!
GOD IS YOUR FORTRESS surrounding you with HIS care~
GOD IS YOUR DELIVERER giving you victory over all lifeâs troubles~
GOD IS YOUR SHIELD always loving and protecting you~
GOD IS A STRONGHOLD THAT WILL NEVER FAIL!
âDo not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.â Isaiah 43:1-3
Praying for the Lord who loves you most will surround you with His tender mercies.
Jim & Carlyn Roth (Rebecca â we volunteered with your dad in Gifts For All Godâs Children- There are many praying for Chris and your family here on the east side of Michigan.)
Thank you for the reminder that chemo starts Monday. We continue to pray your through this journey. Much love!
You come to our thoughts often, so we pray. â€ïž
Is this an okay place to ask questions? Did the doctors tell you what to expect for the chemo regimen, such as how long in between treatments?
Yes, I can respond to questions as I have time and energy. I did update about the treatments in the post a day ago or so.
He will have Chemo on day 1 every 21 days, a 3 week cycle
This cycle will repeat 6 times.
Thanks for asking!