Chris and I have taken countless journeys together. The picture above is from a journey in Brazil in 2003.
Our very first journey together was with some friends, we went hiking on North Manitou Island, in northern Michigan. It was quite the adventure with rain, which made it super challenging to cook, but as poor college kids we didn’t mind crunchy (raw?) ramen and cold hotdogs. Even with the rain it was beautiful.
I am sad to not be with Chris during the start of this cancer treatment journey, but he is with people who love him very much and I am thankful for the support, both in the US and in Thailand with me.
Latest update from Chris in the hospital
- The day started off thinking Chris would start chemo today, Wednesday…however the doctors are still working hard with pathology to determine the exact type of lymphoma found in the spinal fluid.
- The results from yesterday’s PET scan show two masses, one in the cervical spine and one in the lumbar spine. These two masses explain the pain and numbness Chris has been experiencing the past four months.
- The doctors have ordered another lumbar puncture which may happen tonight or tomorrow – it could be cancelled if pathology says they have enough fluid to do all the desired testing, or they will draw more fluid in the next lumbar puncture.
- Chris’s oncologist in Grand Rapids is referring Chris to a lymphoma specialist at Northwestern University in Chicago.
That hopeful appointment is not yet set.God has already gone before me and arranged this appointment for next Wednesday. - Chemo will likely start tomorrow using a PICC line, however since it was bumped today everything feels a bit tentative
- Chris has had a good day pain-wise. He has been able to get outside the hospital on two separate walks and get into the sunshine!
How you can pray
Pray that Chris will get the referral to Northwestern quickly and get a date for that appointment. Within minutes of this prayer request, we got the appointment we needed, scheduled for next Wednesday. Thanks be to God!- Please pray his body will tolerate the Methotrexate and Rituxan chemo he will likely undergo tomorrow (although plans keep changing so we will see).
- Please pray his body responds well and it is effective against the small growths found on his spine through the PET scan.
- Please pray his kidneys will remain strong in spite of the chemo.
- Please pray that the pain he has had will diminish.
- Please pray for God’s healing on Chris and his mercy for our family.
Update from Becca and the kids in Thailand
The kids and I have tickets; believe it or not but it was a significant effort by a team of people for many reasons that I won’t go into on the blog. We leave Thailand on Friday, October 11th at night and arrive in Chicago the morning of Sat the 12th.
How we can praise God and pray together
- Praise God for his provision of good housing for our family, may the Lord bless this family through their kindness. This housing is for a number of months, yet to be determined.
- Praise God for his provision of schooling for the kids (Oct 21 first day probably). Lord, bless all those who have helped us make this educational transition.
- Praise God for the loving hands of support through ear friends he has gifted me in Thailand.
- Please pray for me as I manage many details before we leave.
- Please pray for the kids as they continue to wrestle with the change and losses.
Please pray for Luis and Lucas as they have their one and only swim meet for the season.(Sadly, due to flooding the swim meet was canceled. They have worked hard, and we are so proud of them. Luis chose to give up his opportunity to travel with the varsity team so he could leave with me. He has his own journey to start navigating, pray for him.
How you can help
Things are moving so quickly in this process it’s hard to articulate the best ways to help. Most importantly, we thank you for getting on your knees before God and asking for healing and for His will to be done.
Several people have asked about helping financially. I don’t have any idea about specific needs. We have insurance, and our OOP Max is about $10,000. I do not know what the insurance status is of what treatments I might need. I’m sure I’ll find out about that in the coming weeks.
Here are some methods for helping financially, if that is something you’d like to do:
Zelle or Google Pay: megahirt@gmail.com
Paypal or Venmo: chris@hirtfamily.net
Paper check
Christopher Hirt
3856 Pemberton Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
On Christ the Solid Rock we stand!
Love, hugs and prayers
Mom and Dad Barton
Amen ! We stand with Christ and HE is our Rock
Praying for you all
The Oasis Community at Calvary is praying for you, Chris and Becca. We know this will be a long journey but were in it with you all the way.
Praying!
Hi all, I am Robin’s neighbor and I pray for all of you. You are in God’s hands and he will provide for you all your needs. God bless!
Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God’s Word is a mighty tower that we run to, and He keeps us safe. We are praying for you; we are so grateful for the people who are helping you near and far. Grace xo
Praying for God’s mighty touch for all of you.
Hanging with you guys. Just spent some tears working through your prayer requests, and some of my own for you and your kids during this hard–again–transition! I remember holding Luis as a baby when you were doing CDOC in Dallas in…2008,2009? Hard to believe! You are all resilient and and faithful, God WILL be with you! Love you much!
Y’all are in our prayers
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life.
John 3:36
There are no words to express how sorry I am to hear that Chris’s cancer is back. Many times throughout the day, I think of all of you and pray that God will, again, bring healing to his body.
With heartfelt thoughts and prayers,
Thankful with you that God is answering prayer and providing. We will continue to pray.
Chris and Rebecca- Christ alone is our hope. May God fill your hearts up with His hope during this time of difficulty and uncertainty. I’m praying for you and for each of your precious children.
Praying for you all!
Much much love we send with you as you travel.
I am a friend of Bob Evearitt.
We live in Chicago.
Have been to Chiang Mai and do some work with Steve Doty who use to be there with Wycliffe.
Do some work with Project Video there as well.
Headed back there for a visit in two weeks.
Praying for Chris and the family.
Will try to send some support as well.
Chip Heady
Our faith is found in nothing less than Jesus Christ and His faithfulness
Praying each day for each of you
Praying for you all daily. Thank you for the update so I have more specific ways to pray for each of you. God is with each of you and also goes before you. Huge hugs. Lauren & Seth
Deeply appreciate these updates so I can pray specifically.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers daily.
We have been following Chris and your family through your updates, which we greatly appreciate. We keep you guys in our prayers daily. May God bless you and shower you with his peace and comfort.
Thank you for the update! We will pray that everything works out well for you and the family.
I just want to let you know that I am praying for each of you
I have been/am praying that you will have a strong sense of the Lord’s peace and His presence with you as you travel down this difficult path. I am praying for the various prayer points you have listed. We are in this together.
Becca and Chris and your dear children,
I have been praying for you all since you shared about Chris’s initial pain and ongoing tests. I was saddened to hear of the diagnosis and continue to bring you before God’s throne of grace, asking for mercy. Mercy, Lord, show mercy!!!
May you SEE Jesus walking with each of you, with your individual journeys and also with your family journey and your spousal journey. Love love love!