One Day at a Time

We are officially GO for T cell harvest on Tuesday, January 14th!  

The January 6th PET scan results showed no new cancer growth and minimal change to the spot lumbar region. The results are slightly inconclusive until the MRIs can be used for analysis.

Spinal fluid collected during the lumbar puncture with intrathecal chemo showed no evidence of cancer cells, this is a big blessing from the Lord.

Both of our medical teams have communicated they are satisfied with the results of the TEDDI-R chemo.

This protocol is quite challenging with 5 days of chemo, 4 which are inpatient, plus a daily chemo pill.  Both round 1&2 have taken a full week to recover from the chemo, leaving just one week of Chris feeling like himself and not totally exhausted.  This, combined with a significant respiratory virus, made for a tough last 10 days.  We are thankful to the Lord that the chemo was not delayed, he has not had any fevers, and his bloodwork is good enough to proceed with the T-cell collection.

Chris will have 4 MRIs here in Grand Rapids on Monday 1/13 and then he and I will leave for Northwestern in Chicago. An afternoon lumbar puncture has been scheduled. Doctors plan to compare MRI results with PET to decide next steps for treatment.

On Tuesday, the 14th, he will have a full day at Northwestern, starting with a 6:30am arrival.  He will have the line placed in the morning, T-cell harvest and then the line removal.

We have not heard yet what treatment he will have the week of January 20th or any subsequent treatment.  One day at a time with the Lord’s strength is one of my mantras.  While we would like more information we are not in the driver’s seat.

Future peek: The estimated date of the T cell infusion is Feb 19, but he will report to Northwestern by approximately February 11th for appointments and various treatments, including chemo, which happen prior to the infusion.  He will be in the hospital at Northwestern for about 2 weeks after the infusion.

There are several protocols he will need to follow after the infusion.  First, he cannot be more than 2 hours from Northwestern, therefore, he will be in Chicago and unable to return to Michigan for +\-40 days.  Next, he cannot be alone for 30 days after the infusion.  Finally, he cannot drive for 60 days after the infusion.  We are exceedingly grateful for parents who are able and willing to help to make this more doable for our family. We are thankful for so many who are making this journey less challenging through financial support, meals, and prayer.

Prayer requests:

Prayers for our kids as they continue to build friends and trust God in this season that they did not anticipate or choose. Prayers especially for our time apart. Due to our life overseas they are not used to both mom and dad being gone.

Prayers for our parents as they are an important provision from the Lord in this journey.

Continued prayers for complete healing for Chris.

Continued clear direction from the Lord for the doctors as they make important decisions regarding Chris’s treatment.

Psalm 36: 5-10

Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
 They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.

 O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

By 34 Comments on One Day at a Time

34 Replies to “One Day at a Time”

  1. The photo you chose is so appropriate for the Psalm portion: a father with his arm lovingly around his daughter, high up on a mountainside, with the valley spread out below them and the heavens far above… Gives a tiny sense of the vastness of God’s lovingkindness, faithfulness, righteousness, judgements while at the same time showing how He tenderly holds us and smiles at us. Our Father in heaven is caring for each of you in this same way.

    O Lord, may all of the medical personnel, whatever their role, sense and be moved by Your presence in the Hirts as individuals, as a couple, as a family. Give wisdom and direction and good relationships to the various medical teams as the collaborate for the appropriate care for Chris. Comfort and encourage the children during the long stretch of being away from their parents. Protect Chris’ body during all of the procedures; keep him strong and virus/infection-free. And please provide all of the finances needed for these treatments. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

  4. Hi to all of you!
    thanks for the update….I like One Day at a Time as a mantra….I know someone who is going through
    something difficult…and I often text ‘One day at a time’ to her during the week…Know that I pray for you guys,
    the medical team(s) daily and ask God to heal Chris completely and wholly. ‘Nothing is impossible with God.’
    big hugs..

  5. Becca, Chris, Luis, Lucas, Emalene,

    Praying for God’s peace, strength and healing for Chris.

    Look for the Lord in the little things as you have been.

    Prayers for safety, as you journey to NW to have the T-Cells harvested, for continued healing and good reports.

    Love you all,
    Dawn & Doug

  6. Becca, Chris, Luis, Lucas, Emalene,

    Praying for God’s peace, strength and healing for Chris.

    Look for the Lord in the little things as you have been.

    Prayers for safety, as you journey to NW to have the T-Cells harvested, for continued healing and good reports.

    Love you all,
    Dawn & Doug

  7. “ Through many dangers, toils and snares you have already come. His grace has brought you safe this far and his grace will lead
    you home. “

    The longer I live on this earth, the more deep meaning these words have. We do not forget to pray for each of you. And always with Thanksgiving.

  8. One verse stood out to me in thinking of your children. I looked at some other versions and claim this for them, “ “God, Your love is so precious! You protect people as a bird protects her young under her wings.”
    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭36‬:‭7‬ ‭ICB‬‬”
    Rejoicing that no growth is seen in the cancer and praying for the upcoming treatments and family separation. 🙏🏼

  9. The Lord is in that driver’s seat but He’s hearing the many prayers for healing and elimination of the cancer. Peace be with you. Am praying several times each day.

  13. Becca, our God is so much bigger than our circumstances yet He is IN our circumstances. His Word promises His arm is not too short to reach us! Thank you for sharing these updates. Much encouragement from Chris’ progress. This trial is only for a season… Our prayers are with you!

    1. Continuing daily in prayer for your healing. I’m battling lung and ovarian cancer, so I understand some of what you are going through. God is in this fire with you. Blessings to all. Nancy

  15. Lord, have mercy!
    Christ, have mercy.
    Lord, have mercy!
    Bless Chris, Becca and the kids with peace and an awareness of your close presence and deep love.
    Hold them close when they are weary.

  16. What a relief to hear this report with so much positivity. You are on our hearts and minds in prayer.

  18. Thank you for the update. Will be continuing to pray for Chris’s treatment that it will bring about positive outcomes. Will pray for our Lord’s protection and guidance to your family at this time.

  19. I am very thankful to be able to pray specifically for each of you, thank you for your excellent updates, Becca. As I pray for you, I am being encouraged by your words and your faith. I add another AMEN to Annie’s words, scripture and prayer in her comment. Chris, you are an amazing warrior, and our Lord is your faithful commander! Thank you, Jesus!

  20. Thank you, Becca, for sending updates to help us be more specific in our prayers. What an encouragement and comfort it must be to you to be surrounded by friends who love you, faithfully keep you in their prayers, and quote Scripture to remind you of God’s love, power, & comfort! Ruth

  21. I continue to pray for all of you. I thought of your family today during church when the pastor said “the abiding presence of the love of God can awaken hope in the hallways of uncertainty”. My prayer is that the abiding presence of His love would be tangible each day.

  22. Wow, that is a great answer to prayer that the T cell harvest goes ahead this week.

    Thank you Lord for all you are doing in Chris and his family. Thank you for being with them as they walk this journey. Thank you for the complete healing work you are doing in his body through the medical processes and through your power and grace.

  23. We thank God for blessings you experience and we continue to pray for you as you face each new day. You are loved and appreciated, friends!

  24. We are praying with you and so thankful for your updates. I’ve been reflecting on this blessing: “May the God of Memory be with you, filling your mind and your heart with all the good God has done for you. May you ponder with gratitude and wonder all the experiences of your life- those that have empowered you and those that have challenged you to become all that God intends for you at this moment. May you see your life held in the gentle hands of the God who has loved you from the very first. May the God of Memory bless you.” –Maxine Shonk, OP

  25. Our prayers are with you all as you walk through this next week. May you each sense God’s strengthening through the hard and know his peace as you face the unknowns. Sending our love.

  26. I had begun to pray for you and your family this morning when I saw your latest update in my inbox. Stopped what I was doing, and turned to read of what steps the Lord is guiding you through. This part of Psalm 23 comes to mind ‘even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and staff comfort me. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever’. Chris, you, Becca and your family have been through so much. But He is so much bigger. I continue to pray the He would be lifted high, and that He would have mercy on you and that this cancer will have its grubby hands taken off of you. In Jesus’ name. Amen

  28. Thankful with you for this really good news. I will continue to pray. I am reminded as I read this update of the song we sang at Thornapple yesterday that I keep singing today.

    Day by day and with each passing moment,
    Strength I find to meet my trials here;
    Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
    I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
    He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
    Gives unto each day what He deems best–
    Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
    Mingling toil with peace and rest.

    Ev’ry day the Lord Himself is near me
    With a special mercy for each hour;
    All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
    He whose name is Counselor and Pow’r.
    The protection of His child and treasure
    Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
    “As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
    This the pledge to me He made.

    Help me then in eve’ry tribulation
    So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
    That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
    Offered me within Thy holy Word.
    Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
    E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
    One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
    Till I reach the promised land.

  29. Psalm 42 has been a great encouragement to me in hard times.
    Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
    I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

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