We are T-minus 10 hours until lift off…
Of course, there is no actual lift off but we are counting down the hours until Chris gets chemo. We have no dread, just hope and trust in God’s plan.
I love all the space movies with shuttle launches. All the anticipation, careful preparation, and teamwork coming together to reach a magnificent goal, it is so inspiring to me.
It has not even been one month since Chris said, “I think I need to see a doctor” but we have had significant anticipation for chemo day once we knew his diagnosis on May 16th.
I am not even ready to think about all it took to get to today, but just remembering the sheer amount of work and careful preparation to get our family back to the US is exhausting to me.
We are so encouraged by the team of people the Lord has blessed us with on this journey. There were many many people on the Thailand side that helped us get to that finish line, and now the Lord has brought another team of people, on the completely opposite side of the globe, to be His hands and feet. We are so humbled by the love so many have shared with us.
So, the current goal is 6 rounds of chemo, spaced 21 days apart. Monday, June 5 is Day 1 and the chemo will last most of the day as he will need several drugs (one at a time). I anticipate a 7:30-4:00 or longer timeframe for the chemo days.
Please continue to pray for Chris and the pain he is enduring (the lymph nodes in his groin are pressing on his nerves). On Saturday morning, the pain was very strong and lasted longer than the previous episodes, so I called the on call medical staff and they provided a stronger prescription. This helped significantly but again this evening he had another very uncomfortable 15 minutes. At times, he struggles to walk back and forth from the bedroom, couch and bathroom. If you know Chris this is a shocking decline. Just 33 days ago he conquered a grueling bicycle route that only a few are willing to try.
Please pray for our kids as they arrived on Saturday and it was the first time they saw Chris in such pain. It is very difficult for them to see him in this condition.
We hope in the Lord and his unfailing love, and we are asking him to make this first round of chemo very effective, both at destroying the cancer, and additionally for the lymph nodes to shrink in order to take pressure off the nerves.
The Lord is good, and HIS love endures forever
The Lord is good, and his LOVE endures forever
The Lord is good, and his love ENDURES forever
The Lord is good, and his love endures FOREVER
Praying continually for the entire family and especially for Chris as he enters chemo tomorrow. God loves Chris and is right there with him.
Becca and Chris, thank you so much for writing and sending updates! It is really helpful for knowing how to pray. Chris, my heart goes out to you in the pain, and I remember you both, walking through the shock of it, the ambiguous moments, and the not always knowing what is coming next. I’m so very glad you are not alone.
What to say?
We love each of you and keep on praying for each you, Chris, Becca, Luis, Lucas, Emalene!
Since you love space movies, here’s a memorable quote from Apollo 13’s flight director, Gene Kranz, played by Ed Harris.
“NASA Director : This could be the worst disaster NASA’s ever experienced.
Gene Kranz : With all due respect, sir, I believe this is gonna be our finest hour. We’ve never lost an American in space, we’re sure as hell not gonna lose one on my watch!”
When you look back at these days one year from now, Chris, I pray that you, too, will say that this is the Lord’s finest hour!
Upholding you all in prayer 🙏🏼
Dear Chris and Becca,
Thanks for sharing so that we know how to pray for you and your children.
In His love, Hella
Love and miss you terribly. We pray for you every night. Please keep the updates coming.
We love you, Chris, Becca, Luis, Lucas and Emalene! We’re praying for you.
You are all climbing a mountain. It may seem so daunting but you are not on this journey alone. So many prayers and healing thoughts are helping you along your way so you may focus on every step before you. 🙏💚🙏
Praying for all of you this morning. Grateful to know you are held so carefully and lovingly in our Father’s hands.
I’ve been silently following from the beginning, holding you in prayer. May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him!
As I praise God that I get to celebrate another birthday today, I am praying for Chris, as he starts this chemo journey, and for your family as you watch him deal with all the pain and side effects. I understand the trauma of wondering how to make it back to the U.S.,, getting in to the doctors needed right away, and the family wondering if they will see you again. I also know the amazing blessing of watching God work in and through it all! It’s okay to not look back right now. Take small baby steps each day. I couldn’t look back for about 6 months after our trip out of Thailand. I did praise God as I saw Him work, but to look back on the whole picture was just overwhelming until then. May you experience His peace each day.
Praying for Chris and for all of you.
I hope everything goes well and the chemo is effective, and the side effects minimal. God bless you in this day if your journey.
Hey Chris, I thought about you and prayed for you during our church message yesterday. An unexpected storm came as the disciples were rowing across the Sea of Galilee, just as unexpected storms come into our lives. Jesus calmed the storm just as he will calm yours. Looking forward to cycling with you again some day.
Hi Chris and family, just got to know you a little bit following you on Strava and that’s because you are a friend of Dawson Tennant. It looks like you were quite the athlete and it is so sad to see that cancer has attacked you. I do not part with tears easily, but your situation certainly brings a tear to my eye! My wife and I wish you and your family the best on your recovery journey! 🫶🏻🙏🏻
We were struck by the info that less than a month ago Chris said he should see a doctor and to think he is getting chemo in a hospital today on the other side of the world so to speak. All the things that came into place to make that happen had to be the hand of God moving the hands, minds, and hearts of each person involved, undergirded by prayer. To God be the glory . The God that started this journey with will be with you the whole way. ❤️🙏
Thank you for taking time to post updates. I continue to pray, believing that God is listening and will answer. This morning, I prayed the words of Katy Nichole’s song, “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” over your family. The lyrics are…
I speak the name of Jesus over you
In your hurting, in your sorrow
I will ask my God to move
I speak the name ’cause it’s all that I can do
In desperation, I’ll seek Heaven
And pray this for you
I pray for your healing
That circumstances would change
I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus name
I pray that a breakthrough would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name, in Jesus name
I speak the name of all authority
Declaring blessings, every promise
He is faithful to keep
I speak the name no grave could ever hold
He is greater, He is stronger
He’s the God of possible
I pray for your healing
That circumstances would change
I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus name
I pray that a breakthrough would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name
In Jesus name
Come believe it
Come receive it
Oh, the power of His Spirit is now forever yours
Come believe it
Come receive it
In the mighty name of Jesus, all things are possible
I pray for your healing
That circumstances will change
I pray that the fear inside will flee in Jesus name
I pray that a breakthrough
Would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name
I pray for revival
For restoration of faith
I pray that the dead will come alive in Jesus name
In Jesus name
Source: Musixmatch