God gave us snow for our kids this past week, a beautiful gift in contrast to how hard this past week has been. It’s been hard to know how to write when I’ve been grieving the disappointment of not-so-great scans.
The meeting this past Tuesday to review the results of my scans was not what we hoped for. One cancer site shrunk while the main spot in/on my lumbar spine, which causes my leg pain, sort of changed or grew slightly. The consensus is that the methotrexate chemo regimen will not be continued. Stem cell therapy is off the table. The results of the CSF analysis still show lymphoma cells floating around in my spinal fluid. Weighing these things together, the doctors have decided on a different chemo regimen called TEDDI-R which is planned to start on Monday, Dec 9. I started on Brukinsa, an immunotherapy/chemo pill that targets my type of cancer, and it sounds like I’ll be on that for a while. TEDDI-R is a Monday-Friday outpatient infusion clinic regimen that includes 2 lumbar punctures with chemo injected into the spine. I expect to do 3 cycles (21 days per cycle) before getting more scans to measure progress.
A matter of prayer: Tomorrow, Monday Dec 2 at 9:45am I have a meeting with Dr. Sochacki to solidify the plan for the TEDDI-R regimen and learn more about potential radiation therapy.
The end goal is now CAR-T therapy (more about that in another update) probably in February if TEDDI-R goes better and I qualify.
My doctors still communicated their hope that my disease is curable. I went into the Tuesday meetings (we were there 5 and a half hours) discouraged by what I had seen myself in the scans. I left feeling hopeful and optimistic that, while I don’t understand what God is doing, there are still good treatment options that we are moving swiftly towards, and my Northwestern doctors weren’t phased by the lackluster scan results. They emphasized that it was a very good thing that there is no evidence of further cancer spread, and we thank God for that.
Speaking of Hope, this Sunday I was asked to record a video about Hope during the advent season for Thornapple Covenant Church where we attend regularly. The following video is the first in a four-part series during advent, and the other three will be featured the next 3 Sundays.
The service today on Hope really spoke to me. In the face of hard news, I find myself waiting while Jesus is holding me on the journey.
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in YouO Lord of life, our only hope
Your radiance shines
On all who look to You in the dark
Emmanuel come, come light our heartsFor You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in YouOh Joy above, all other loves
In You we find, more than enough
We come as we are, O heal and restore
Come light our heartsFor You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in YouCome Light our Hearts by Rain for Roots
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Chris and Becca, these are hard things to face. We are so sorry that this news came with a harsh and foreboding quality that you didn’t expect, certainly weren’t hoping for. We know that, despite this news, God will never leave you and will never forsake you, nor your precious children. We pray faithfully for your healing, and for wisdom coming from the doctors who determine your next path going forward. It’s good to remember that they are humans like we are; it is our God who is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. ❌⭕️💟✝️
Thanks for this update, Chris. Such a timely word of HOPE in the midst of our storms. Believing with you and praying as you dwell in the secret place and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. We, along with you, trust the HE is your refuge and fortress…your God in whom you (and we) trust. (Psalms 91:1-2). We love you, friend. Keep shining that light in the midst of trial—you’ve got lots of people watching and seeing that HOPE is a PERSON who can be trusted no matter what happens or what He walks us through.
Ministering to the rest of us about hope while you have much to feel hopeless about . Thanks for raising my spirits today Chris! God is using your courage to encourage others —it’s important work. It’s work only possible with God indwelling in you. What grace! And what hope! What a blessing you are!
Peace to you, your family and all your caretakers.
Thanks for this !
I understand that is disappointing. We can rejoice that the scans showed that a change in plan was needed. We pray for healing through the new plan.
We are praying with you all in hope in Jesus, our Lord and Savior. May you sense his sustaining and faithful presence upholding you and holding you tenderly close.
Reflecting on the First Sunday of Advent, the Candle of Hope was lit
We can have Hope because we serve a God who is faithful in all things
Our God is Huge, His Love is Eternal our minds will never fully understand
But Simply Trust
Thanking God today for the wonderful team of doctors, nurses, family, friends
and caregivers that surround you
Jesus Truly Our Hope Is In You
Our family continues to pray for your family. We love you, guys. As I read this update, I find myself thankful for the optimism of your doctors and matter-of-fact way they’re approaching treatment. I also think of the precious example of Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego about to go into the firey furnace: “The God we serve is able to save us… and He will rescue us… But even if He does not, we want you to know…that we will not [~turn away from Him and toward what is false].” Our God is trustworthy and good. May you all continue to lean into Him and find encouragement and light whenever the darkness tries to creep in.
Oh Chris and Becca. We hold the disappointment as well as the hope with you. May God hold you tenderly as you wait on Him, our great and grand physician. We send our love and continuing prayers.
We continue to remember you all, especially as we fight a similar battle in my life, where pain has become a pretty persistent companion.
Here is another great song, unfortunately all in Hebrew, but with English subtitles of the beautiful words. Let us fix our eye on Jesus, whatever, whenever, however. Nothing else makes sense or is useful. His goodness, power and love remain unchanged regardless of what we are going through.
And here is the link…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgHX5XYtLmU
Chris, mate, do continue firm in your faith and hope in Him in the face of the disappointments and trials. Know that your faith and perseverance is a real encouragement to me — all my love, Marc
I have to honestly say that with your title to the email, I didn’t really want to open it and read what I figured would be told.
But praise God, our hope truly is in Jesus and eternity with Father God, free of all the worldly cares, hurts and pain, amidst the hope and joys we have in Him.
I believe God is allowing this story in your lives because He knows you will journey through it faithfully in order to encourage and reach others for Him.
May the Lord continue to be the true hope and joy for your family and bless you richly over this CHRISTmas season.
Praying for His daily, tangible nearness and strength, healing and hope. You and your family are choosing to be such a beautiful, powerful testimony, pointing us all to God in your pain. Praying for His wisdom for the doctors and for positive change. Prayers for His deep encouragement for you, Becca and the kids.
Hi Chris and Rebecca,
Sorry to hear this news. But God is faithful, He is good, and He knows what you can take. May you experience comfort, peace, and joy in this phase of your journey.
With love and prayers,
Ken
Grieving this news with you and at the same time filled with hope that overflowed from you (!)that God is faithful, his word is true and he can be trusted. Praying he would fill each of you with that hope as you walk this painful road.
May you know, feel & experience Jesus’ presence with you, holding your hand at times, carrying you at other times. His presence is ALWAYS, ALWAYS there–for you AND your children.
Praying on – for the Mighty One who holds you by the hand to continue His faithfulness even when it is hard to understand & just plain hard! But He who has started a good work in you will be faithful to complete it!
Praying on – for the Mighty One who holds you by the hand to continue His faithfulness even when it is hard to understand & just plain hard! But He who has started a good work in you will be faithful to complete it!
Praying on – for the Mighty One who holds you by the hand to continue His faithfulness even when it is hard to understand & just plain hard! But He who has started a good work in you will be faithful to complete it!
Thank you for sharing this hard news in print and video. We continue to pray for the entire family.
My prayers continue for you and your family.
Dear Chris and Becca,
I read your newest post early this morning. Your video on Hope was inspiring. As I heard you speak about your assignment from God to be a missionary, it struck me that He may have given you a new assignment, not in action, but in location. Twice He has brought you and your family back to Michigan. Could it be that God has an audience of maybe one, maybe dozens or more, who are watching to see how your Hope in Jesus carries you through one of the toughest times of your life? I imagine that in your circle of doctors, caregivers or fellow patients there is at least one who is totally without hope, who has never felt the love or encouragement given by the Holy Spirit to those who belong to Jesus. Your assignment in the past has been translating God’s Word to people who are without hope. Could it be that your new assignment in translating God’s Word is one of actions and attitudes speaking as clearly as words to someone who is lost? I’ve come to believe that God is so purposeful that He doesn’t waste even casual interactions with other people. In the midst of our own dealings with cancer in ourselves and in our family, the sudden death of our daughter, and several other very hard times for our family, God has given us opportunities disguised as ‘impossible’ situations. Did we use them the way He wanted us to? I pray that in His strength, we were able to. I can tell you that it’s much easier to look back on those situations now than it was to go through them!
As I continue to pray for God’s very best for you and your family, I’m also praying that in His wisdom and strength He’ll help you keep your eyes focused on Him and on His ultimate goal for your life. Your clinging to His faithfulness and power and GOODNESS is a powerful witness to everyone who comes in contact with you.
Dear Chris and Becca (and family),
We are praying alongside you for God to work in a mighty way. In the midst of your storm, God is faithful and He will be with you. We are praying for His hand of healing and peace on you and your family and that His holy name will be glorified through your story. You are already a testimony to us. Sending you a long distance hug and prayers.
Blessings to you my dear friends,
Alvaro, Jennifer, Kaleb, Naomi and Joshy
Thank you, again, for your honest invitation allowing us to walk alongside of you. I love that hope is coming through your medical team as you feel the weight and weariness. Your family humbles me as you take, each day, this burden that you are bearing. To do it including us, being honest and looking for the blessings like snow are gentle reminders to me of how much we are “in this” together as a community. Thank you.
Love you, Chris! Paula and I continue to pray for you and the family.
Praying with you, Chris and Becca, in our shared hope in Jesus.
Chris & Becca,
The Christian Healthcare Centers’ team continue to pray for your healing in whatever way God chooses that to take place. We know it must be hard to endure the daily rigors of ongoing treatment, not to mention the effect this has on family life. Thanks for the video message about hope.
I didn’t realize this would be so dynamic. I’m grateful there are other options, but wow…
Little Nephew…YOU sir, are the teacher at this moment! My feeble human mind cannot understand why God chose you for this particular journey, but I am grateful that you allow all of us to share the ride with you. All of the postings exemplify the love and prayers that so many are sending to you and your family.
You are on a path without any earthly GPS, so you will be navigating with that other GPS…God’s Plan for Saving! Just made that up, but thought it might be a human method of acknowledging that challenges like this are dependent on our God.
The bottom line, sir, is that all of us are blessed to be with you on your very personal encounter with our God. You are sharing moments of receiving His grace that most of us could never notice without your counsel. So, please keep teching us. Keep showing us how a true man fo God faces human obstacles by knowing God is greater than anything any of us can imagine.
I am proud of you! I am proud to be your Uncle! I promise to learn everything you are teaching me!
I love you Chris!
Uncle Tom
Your in my daily prayers.
Sending my love!
Chris and Rebecca and family,
We are with you on this journey. Your faith and hope through this and the way you are pointing to Jesus and depending on Him is a real inspiration to us. We feel your disappointment and questions after this week’s news and continue to lift you up to our caring and loving heavenly Father. May He continue to fill you with hope every moment and each test result that comes. May His love be personalized for each of your family members in ways that truly speak His love to each of you. Hugs from our family in Oaxaca. – Jen
Thank you for your good and honest communications–hoping with you all as we continue to pray for your family! Sending our love!!
Hi Chris and Becca,
I’m sorry the news was not what you were hoping for. We are praying this new treatment will do the job and that while you wait you will feel God’s power and love sustaining you and giving you hope for each day. You are loved!
Man, we’re sorry that wasn’t what you wanted to hear. Thank you for sharing this with us and keeping us informed. We’re so encouraged to hear of your tough and resolute faith in the midst these trials. God is good, all the time, and He doesn’t give bad gifts (James 1:17)! We are praying for you in this holiday season, and we miss you and the whole family.
With love,
Joseph and Hoipo
As I read this update, my heart is so heavy for you, Becca, Luis, Lucas and Emalene. I heard and felt the sadness in Pastor Lynne’s voice yesterday as she prayed for you, Becca, Luis, Lucas and Emalene following your video (thank you for sharing) in the service yesterday. Through the sadness and heaviness, we carry on in praying, trusting and believing that God is listening and will answer. God in your mercy, please provide hope and healing to the Hirt family.
Hi Chris, your video was a dynamic, powerful presentation. Praise God for His gift to you of communicating well. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Such a privilege for us. I loved the poem. I reread it several times. Roger and I send so much love to you as you walk through hard news. May His presence bring light to your path and lighten your load. Remembering you all.
Thank you, Chris, for sharing your courageous, beautiful, and difficult story. Without a doubt, our hope in Jesus, is both the blessing and grace we enjoy and cling to each day. Praying for you, my brother, and continue to ask of the Lord for your healing, as well as for daily mercies and strength.
Thank you for this inspiring message of hope. It’s a great reminder to me and all who hear it of the hope we have in Jesus. My prayers continue to be with you and your family. I see God’s grace all over you and I praise Him for it. His grace is sufficient and y’all are a testimony to that. May He continue to hold you up and sustain you all.
What an amazing testimony of the God that is our hope and who gives it freely to us! May the Lord continue to provide miraculously for you and your family. Our Care Team prayed for you again today. We meet each Tuesday for a prayer and sharing time. Your cancer challenges are lifted to the Father at this time, and we acknowledge with you the Hope and Strength that only He can give.