When we opened the door to room 1666 on the 16th floor of Northwestern Hospital we were in for a delightful surprise. Chris probably had the best view of Lake Michigan of all the patients staying at the hospital. It was spectacular and quite therapeutic to sit facing the lake with all the medical paraphernalia behind us and enjoy the beauty of both the clear skies and water.
Praising the Lord, Chris has completed his inpatient portion of the Car-T therapy. He entered the hospital on Monday, Oct 17th. He received the Car-T via two syringes into his port on Tuesday. While in the hospital he was under intense observation. There is a camera in the room, nurses visit at least every two hours, daily testing if not multiple times of day. All symptoms are to be reported, even the smallest. For instance, slight tightness in the chest should be reported and investigated. We praise God that Chris had none of the challenging effects of Car-T (neurological toxicity and immune system overreaction). His white blood cell counts were low and they treated with shots to give him a boost. He continued to have vertigo for several days but that dissipated before departing the hospital. We thank God for all of God’s gifts to us during this time: the progress in Chris’ treatment, for His protection over Chris while in the hospital, and His provision of healing for Chris both now and for the future.
This was one of the songs we played over the infusion day, to set our view on remembering God is in control of all things. Immune systems, room assignments, syringes, and clear skies are not an exception to his control. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzxVKqmEIzM Believe For It by Cece Winans.
Chris will have weekly checks with Dr. Gordon for the next several weeks. Blood work and skilled doctors will determine when he can return to a more normal life, but for now he is not to go to public places, to wear a mask around others, and try to not be exposed to any viruses. Additionally, he must not be home alone for 3 more weeks and cannot drive for 7 more weeks.
He will have a PET scan on April 15th and we hope he will be able to return to Grand Rapids around the Easter weekend.
Prayers are appreciated for protection and health for our family so we can visit Chris during the school spring break. We cannot visit if we are ill.
Prayers for relief and healing for Becca who has a massive reaction to poison ivy from some yard clean up.
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Year of the LORD’s Favor
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified..
I love these verses from God’s word, because they bring me the joy of knowing that life, as it is now, will not be how life is when finally we are translated into the likeness of Christ, as one day we will be. So we hold onto his promises for perfect healing and for love that does not let us go.
It’s great to hear updates from you. So glad Chris remains strong and endures these treatments.
You guys continue to be in our prayers!
Bill & Judy Vriesema
Praise God for the good report so far. May Becca get a cortisone shot to help take down the poison ivy reaction. May everyone stay well and continue to have good results in the next few weeks. May you also have patience during this time in the name of Jesus Amen!
We are so grateful to God to hear of this positive update on Chris! Our family will continue to pray for yours for this next part in the journey, to be able to stay well and avoid sickness for all, for Chris’ response to the treatment to continue in a positive trend, for the challenges that come with being apart, and Becca for a quick recovery from your poison ivy reaction for comfort and relief. We love you all and thank you for keeping us all updated!
Thank you for the update. Praying with you guys for a full recovery!
Feliz e aliviada em acompanhar o processo de cura do Chris, gosto muito de vcs e oro pra que estejam bem. Procuro acompanhar as postagens aqui, no Instagram e Facebook também. Que Deus continue abençoando a vida de todos. Um grande abraço saudoso da Samantha, aqui do Brasil!
What a wonderful report. Joan and I will definitely be praying for a full recovery! We rejoice with you in the many gifts the Lord gave Chris-assigned a room with an incredible view, the infusion going so well and none of the challenging effects of Car-T. Praise our gracious Savior!
Praying for protection and for that PET scan. Much love to you!
I look forward to your reports, especially when it contains good/favorable news. Praying for continued success and healing for Chris and that the whole family will be together soon. Sorry to hear about Becca’s poison ivy discomfort. God bless!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
I was looking at your picture on our refrigerator this afternoon & praying! So good to hear your update. Praying on for you all & for spring break health & for poison ivy respite & for Chris’s complete healing!
I was looking at your picture on our refrigerator this afternoon & praying! So good to hear your update. Praying on for you all & for spring break health & for poison ivy respite & for Chris’s complete healing!
Offering you and your children to God
To hold you in the safe haven of His arms.
Healing and comforting you all.
Happy Easter to you.
With much love and prayers your way..
Sue Howard
Thank you for updating us about how everything is progressing with Chris’s treatment. Joining you in thanking God for the sweet gifts, encouragements, and signs of his personalized presence with you along the way (as in a spectacular view of Lake Michigan to minister peace along the way. ❤️✝️)
We will continue to lift you up and “believe for” the complete restoration of Chris’s health and Becca’s freedom from that nasty poison ivy rash. (Ugh!!)
Sending love and hugs and blessings for health for the whole family to be able to be together with Chris over Spring Break. God treasures you and so do we, dear Hirt family. ✝️❤️✝️
Praising God for his provision. May that continue, and may he be your rock of refuge, the place where you can always go (Psalm 71:3).
Prayers continuing! I’m proud of all of you and love all of you!
Wonderful to get this update.
May Our Lord use you to be an inspiration to others
Praying..
Such a good report. I keep praying for God’s healing touch daily. On Friday, I had an appointment with my oncologist after having CT scans of mu lungs and pelvic areas. He pronounced I was cancer free and to have more scans done in July. With God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26.
Thanking God for the completion of the Car-T therapy and that it went so well! Chris, we are so grateful that you had signs of God’s presence with you at the hospital through even things like your beautiful view! Continuing to pray for you all and asking for God’s provision for what you need for each day.
Becca – I’m so sorry about the poison ivy! That sounds miserable 🙁
What a beautiful song! It seems like it was written just for both of you. The words truly reflect the “journey” you are on, and also express your faith in the power of God. Praising God for all He has done and will continue to do for you.
Continued prayers for provision and healing.
God is showing up and showing off! Continued prayers for you and your family.
Hey Chris, glad to see things are moving along well for you. I’m sure you noticed that I watch your posts on Strava every day and I’m amazed that you’re still out there; especially after reading about you having vertigo.
Yes I have to say you probably have the best Hospital room view I have ever seen! Occasionally in Calgary someone we visit gets to see the Rocky Mountains but because we see them all the time in our landlocked part of the world we always hope to see some sort of water view.
Shelley and I are wishing you the absolute best in your treatment and you are always in our thoughts.
Give that cancer hell! 🤗
Your spectacular view is a reminder of God’s presence and provision! Praying!
Becca, thank you for the continued updates. That amazing view is straight from our Heavenly Father’s hand!
I mentioned my special missionary friends Christopher and Rebecca in a chapel service today. I learned recently that Wycliffe missionaries often start translation projects with the book of Mark, which is what I’ll be sharing with these young men this spring and summer. God continues to use your missionary work! We’ll continue to pray for you and your kids. God, yes, we believe!!!
Praise God for His healing had thus far through this significant phase of the treatment process! Continuing to life you up in Prayer–together with the rest of your family!
Praising the Lord Chris is going to be with John and Peg for 3 weeks and Avoided the negative symptoms the Car-T treatment could cause.
May Becca get needed relief of her Poison Ivy soon.
Prayers continue for full healing and recovery.
We praise the Lord for such a wonderful report! We will continue to pray for all of you during the coming weeks.
Thanking God for His special care of you Chris……
Praise God for the low level and lack of many side effects. What a blessing! And great to see your smile. I’m sure the view is a huge plus as well. I pray that your next weeks will go well and that you can return to GR as planned. And as always, thanks be to the Lord our God.
Thank you so much for this update and some of the positive outcomes from the therapy. Praying for continued progress and healing. Will keep everyone in the family in our prayers.
Praise God for attention to the big and small details.
We are so thankful that God has been showing care and mercy during these first stages of the treatment. We continue to pray for healing and strength and patience.
Since you are now living on the river, I wanted to share an analogy that has helped me in difficult periods of waiting. As when kayaking, just do one paddle at a time and feel the current of God carrying you through these minutes, hours, days and weeks.
Shalom….
The Harrells
I thank our Lord for this encouraging report! May the healing continue, along with protection against any disease that would interrupt the healing process.
Praise God for this awesome report. God loves to lead us into a place that he will show us like Abraham. God says go to a land I will show you… Go to a mountain I will show you.. You had an awesome view. I look forward to all that God will show you as follow him. May the Lord encourage you as you encourage so many others.
Appreciate the update, an answer to my prayers for Chris, and an encouragement to continue to seek the Lord’s complete healing! Am praying for good results for the PET scan, good family health for the kids’ visit on Spring Break, and healing for your poison ivy distress, Becca. My love for each of you and praise to God for His daily provision. He is faithful!!!
Thank you for this update. Such a beautiful view of Lake Michigan from the hospital – what a sweet gift from God. Thankful with you for the good news thus far in this phase of Chris’ healing. The song by CeCe – I really appreciate the words of this song and have it on my playlist. Finally, to God be the glory great things He has done and is doing. I continue to pray.
Hi Chris and Becca,
Know that we are praying for you today in the Ling Dept. We continue to pray for you and the family each week.
God is good. Thank you for the encouraging words you bring in spite of the battle. God is with you, and you have victory in Christ always.
You will keep us in steady and sturdy quietness of soul…for we have together decided to trust in you, Lord Jesus, to take care of our dear friends, Chris and Becca.
Karen and with Steve Lynip