Our family loves Christmas lights. Maybe it is because it is a special treat for us to see them since it is not a thing they do in Thailand.
I have always loved them, as a child looking out our car window I would admire them as my parents drove around town. It gave me something to enjoy during Michigan’s dark and sometimes dreary winters.
Nearby where we live there is a big beautiful tree all dressed up in lights.
I have different Christmas lights as I type this, they are the flashing lights of Chris’ infusion pump in a dark hospital room. He gets knocked out by benadryl prior to starting a particular chemo. We turn off the lights and he just sleeps through it all. He wanted to have some fun today so he wore his Christmas Santa hat to stay warm.
Chris starts a new chemo regimen today, TEDDI-R. We got a call on Friday evening saying that our insurance denied coverage of two of the chemo drugs needed for this week, this would total $17,000. This unexpected phone call was difficult and discouraging for us both, our hope and trust in the Lord is firm, but this journey is complicated…reminding me of times when I have put the Christmas lights on the tree before plugging them in…to realize they are toast and I must take them off, and go out and shop for new ones (not easy to do 10 years ago in Thailand).
As we understand it, Chris is the first patient to receive TEDDI-R treatment at Lemmen-Holton Cancer Center in Grand Rapids, therefore it is a bit of uncharted territory. Chris has always been one to try new innovative things to solve complex problems. Our nurse said she would be working on a “work around” for this new challenge over the weekend. We asked several people to pray.
Praise God for the work around: While it wasn’t a simple process it appears that our insurance would approve these drugs if they are administered inpatient. Join us in trusting the Lord for this to be true and no surprise bills. While we thought this week would be outpatient, it will now be inpatient for the rest of the week. We will miss Chris at home each evening, but know that his treatment is the most important thing right now.
Thank you God for the tireless efforts of our medical team, bless them so much they cannot deny your power and love for them.
We continue to thank so many of you who have written, given, prayed, and supported us.
In our darkness, Christ is our Light. His light provides Hope in the darkness.
In our waiting, Christ is our Light. His light provides Peace in the waiting.
Prayer points
Each round of this new chemo plan Chris will have two lumbar punctures to both test the cerebral spinal fluid and inject chemo directly into his spine. Lord, protect and provide healing.
This week and the next 10 days are so full for the kids with concerts, exams, parties, projects…pray for their health and stamina and for us as parents as we support them. Lord, support and sustain us.
We have been told Chris’ counts will drop more with this chemo plan, we ask for prayers for protection from further illnesses. Again, Lord we ask for protection and healing.
Additionally, prayers for Emalene are appreciated as she wrestles with this sudden change, she is sad that Chris cannot be at her first violin concert on Wednesday. Lord, be her comfort, help us support her in this change.
Much to pray for. Too much? The Lord will hear all of it, and we will be grateful.
Thankful for the work around w treatment on Inpt. May the Lord strengthen, sustain, guide,and heal Chris and you all through this season. Blessings
Cary
praying for you all in this tough time. May you sense God’s presence with you.
Praying for protection physically, spiritually and emotionally. May the Light of Christ shine brightly through these difficult days. Praying for Emalene too, for her young heart as she misses her dad tomorrow. I am grateful for a team of medical provided who care deeply and do what is necessary.
Becca prayers for you all daily for Gods healing and grace for Chris and the family as you navigate this new treatment. We will lift Emalene up in prayer as she wrestles with all these changes. Love you all 🙏🏻❤️ Hugs Tammy
I struggle every time I read a new post from Chris and Rebecca. We have known them for many years, have visited them in Thailand, and since they are Wycliffe colleagues, they are very near and dear to our hearts. Inwardly I cry and ask God to protect Chris, to heal Chris, and to raise him up to new life, both physically and spiritually. And for the family to have courage, patience, and renewed hope. You are in our hearts and prayers.
You all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. May He continue to sustain you in your daily battles and challenges. 🙏🏻
PRAYING THIS SONG FOR ALL OF YOU. . .
O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer; Greatest treasure of my longing soul.
My God like You there is no other, True delight is found in You alone.
Your grace a well too deep to fathom; Your love exceeds the heavens’ reach.
Your truth a fount of perfect wisdom; My highest good and my unending need.
O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer, Strong defender of my weary heart.
My sword to fight the cruel deceiver and my shield against his hateful darts,
My song when enemies surround me; My hope when tides of sorrow rise.
My joy when trials are abounding, Your faithfulness my refuge in the night.
O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer, Gracious Savior of my ruined life.
My guilt and cross laid on Your shoulders; In my place You suffered bled and died.
You rose the grave and death are conquered; You broke my bonds of sin and shame.
O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer, May all my days bring glory to Your Name. AMEN.
Praying for you all!
Praying for you in this full week. May you all have joy in the fun parts, grace for the hard parts, and peace for the bittersweet moments.
I feel for Emalene- her first violin concert is important. But i know it will be a bright point for Chris to see the video later! You’ll be glad to know your 3boxes+ of Christmas stuff are getting great use as I re-house them. At #Xmasmarket, many families in ministry took books and decor. I am saving some for someone who works in a remote village with Thais/Lahu/Shan+ for their school outreaches. I used one piece for my Snow Queen outfit at the play Jonas was in. I will use more stuff and lights in the Christmas Tree Garden at school (mine will be An International Incarnation, displaying my international nativities and the words ‘welcome to our world’ in many local and global languages). I’m saving a few pieces for you (including the Wong poem 🙂 so let me know if the kids miss a certain sentimental book/ornament & i will try to save it (also applicable to Valentine’s, birthday, Easter, Thanksgiving stuff). And finally, a few people gave financial donations in love and support of your family.
Praying for God to provide for the treatments to be covered, for Chris to tolerate the new treatments, for God to bring Emalene His perfect peace and comfort and for all of you.
As Dana would have Ronyn recite..
YOU ARE STRONG!
YOU ARE BRAVE!
YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD!
Love you so much
Aunt Dawn
We continue to pray for you in you and your family’s journey. God is the God of the impossible, He can do way more than we can even imagine. Praying that God will make Chris’ healing possible and that His glory will continue to be revealed.
My prayer group in Berlin is praying for you, lieber Chris, and for your family. I will meet them again on Thursday on Zoom and tell them about your inpatient stay.
I pray your week goes as well as possible and of course for Chris total healing!
The Lord is near to you and He will keep you, and He will shine His light on you. He sees each of you and He knows what you’re going through. He will be your strength and He will not sleep while you journey through this. He is Faithful, He is Faithful through it all.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Praying for all of you.
Isaiah 33:2
O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you.
Be our arm every morning,
our salvation in the time of trouble.
We feel a heaviness when we think of your battles , daily hard challenges. For each precious child. For the longing to have a sense of healing taking place. Please Lord; give each one the courage that comes with trusting in Jehovah God. He loves each of you beyond our comprehension. We will not stop praying.
Isaiah 33:2
O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you.
Be our arm every morning,
our salvation in the time of trouble.
We feel a heaviness when we think of your battles , daily hard challenges. For each precious child. For the longing to have a sense of healing taking place. Please Lord; give each one the courage that comes with trusting in Jehovah God. He loves each of you beyond our comprehension. We will not stop praying.
We are praying for you all. 🙏 May God give you the Light and Strength you need each day.
Dear Chris & Rebecca: Praying Now for all your requests. I love 2 Chronicles 20:12 “For we have no power to face this vast army (disease)that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” :15 This is what The Lord says ” Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
The Lord is our Strength for today and Bright Hope for tomorrow…..
Keeping Chris daily in my prayers for God’s healing grace.