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09/23/09
Heavenly Father I lift up my niece
Ann to you in prayer. I thank you for all that you have
brought her through over the years, she is truly a miracle,
I give all Glory, Honor and Praise to you. The past years
have been very hard for Ann, in and out of the hospitals,
losing her mother and this past December losing her dad.
Once again most of the year has been spent in the hospital.
Recently she was placed in a nursing home until she is well
enough to return to her home. She fell the other day and had
to be sent back to the hospital for test to determine the
extent of damages caused from the fall. They found a torn
ACL in her knee. She will be scheduled to see a specialist
to discuss what has to be done. Lord I ask that you wrap
Ann in your arms of love. I ask that you remove any
discomfort that she may be having, I ask that you draw her
close to you. Once again I come before your Heavenly Throne
on her behalf and I ask that you give healing to her body. I
ask that by your healing power you restore her ACL to
normal. I ask that no surgery be needed. I ask for a GOOD
REPORT. I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
http://www.ameliaanneslittlebitofheaven.com/Anne.htm
Update 10/12/09
My niece Ann went to be with the Lord on 10/7/09.
She was a wonderful person full of life, and never let her
illnesses stand in the way of her relationship with the
Lord. She was 42 years old, a Christian since the age of 17.
When the Pastor of her church spoke on her behalf there were
many tears just in hearing her speak of Ann's dedication to
the Lord. Ann is free now , no more pain.
Thank you all for your prayers for Ann.
In Christ Love,
Charlotte
Heavenly Father I lift up Sam to you in prayer.
He had been having some pain in his right knee most
of this summer (2009). As the pain
increased
his parents realized that something might be wrong and made
an appointment for him to see an Orthopedist on 8/10/09. At
this doctors appointment an X-ray was taken of his leg/knee
and it showed that there was a mass that the
doctor
believed to be cancerous. He went into the hospital just a
few days later for a series of tests. He received a cat
scan, MRI, and also a full body scan. The family met with
the pediatric oncologist the following day and the diagnosis
was a type of cancer called Ostersarcoma (stage 4). The
cancer is in his right knee and it has also spread to both
of his lungs. This is an aggressive type of cancer and it
will be treated with powerful forms of chemo. Eight years
old, so young to have to go through this terrible disease
and the treatments that have to be done to treat it. Lord I
ask that you wrap this precious child in your arms of
love . I ask that you comfort him and remove any pain and
discomfort that he may be having. I ask that you cover him
with your healing power from above. I come before your
Heavenly Throne on his behalf, believing that through you
all things are possible and I ask for complete healing for
this child. I ask that he be a testimony to the doctors, his
family and friends of your healing power and of the power of
prayer. I pray that all honor, glory and praise be given
unto you. I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Westerville Christian Church
08/19
Heavenly Father I lift up the Haskins Family
to you in prayer. Their twenty old daughter was killed in a
car accident. Several years ago, their nineteen year old
son died in an accident, too. Lord I ask that you comfort
the Haskins family as they go through the pain of losing
their precious daughter while the pain of losing their son
still remains with them. My heart goes out to them, I cannot
imagine the pain of losing a son and a daughter so close
together. I ask that you draw them close to you and wrap
them in your arms of love. I ask that you give them strength
to get through each day. I pray that their loss will bring
them closer to you. I ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.
08/06
Heavenly Father I lift up Barbara to you in
prayer. Once again breast cancer has surfaced in her life
this time causing a double mastectomy. Lord I ask that you
wrap Barbara in your arms of love. I ask that you comfort
her and remove any pain and discomfort that she is going
through. I ask that you cover her with your healing power
from above. I ask that you restore her both physically and
mentally. I ask for a speedy recovery. I ask that she be a
testimony to her surgeon, family and friends of your love
and of the power of prayer. I ask that you comfort her
husband Jim, I know that this is hard on him as well, I know
that he feels her pain and probably feels quite helpless at
this time. I have lost friends and family to this terrible
disease and have family and friends who have survived it. I
ask that you give knowledge to those who are searching to
find a cure for breast cancer, that they will be led to find
the main cause of it so it can be stopped. I ask for
complete healing for Barbara and strength for her to get
through the days ahead. I ask for strength for Jim who will
be there to support and help her through each day. One day
at a time Lord praying that each day will bring them closer
to you. I ask for complete healing. I ask in the name of
Jesus. Amen.
Update
August 14, 2009
To All, Barb and I met with the Barb's Oncologist
late yesterday at St Mary's in Grand Rapids and here is
what we found out --The cancer that Barb has is not the
same cancer that she had 14 years ago-- it is new
Even though the cancer tumor was small the cancer is
very aggressive. This was indicated in the testing of
the lymph nodes (5 of 8 tested positive) The Dr appeared
concerned on this end. This cancer he also indicated can
manifest itself in the lungs, bone and liver. In
addition, the Dr indicated that with the size of the
tumor, if Barb had these tests done 6 months ago --- the
cancer would never have been found. Consequently Dr has
ordered a brain scan, a PET (full body) scan, a cardiac
scan and an appointment with the surgeon to have a port
put in . All this within the next 2 weeks Assuming
these tests indicate that the cancer has not spread or
other types of cancer is not evident ---- a Very
Aggressive form of Chemotherapy will begin on August 27.
Chemo will be done every 3 weeks for a series of 6
visits. The first 3 are of one type and the second 3 are
of another type. Hair loss etc will become evident in
the first 7 - 10 days. Following Chemo Barb may also
have Radiation Therapy followed up by 5 years of
hormonal therapy - Tomoxifin.. This treatment is
---like I said -- assuming no other Cancer is found in
the additional tests. If additional cancer is located,
we are back to square one and in a whole different ball
game. As you can tell, this is a life changing
experience for both of us --- We can feel the Lord doing
a work but quite cant figure out just yet what it is.
Feel free to call and/or stop by ---encouragement is
always welcome. We both want say say a heartfelt "Thank
You" for the cards, calls, prayers, meals etc during
this time. It is appreciated more than you will ever
know.
Faith = F orsaking, A ll, I, T ake, H im
Hope = H e, O ffers, Personal, Enncouragement
Remember -- I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Love Jim / Barb
Update: August 20,2009
To All, Praises go out to the Lord on High for the
Work He has done! We heard from the doctor this
afternoon regarding Barb's test results from Mon and
Tues of this week ---- Good news and bad news. The
good news is that at this time there is no evidence
of cancer in any of Barb's major organs - the brain
scan was negative, and the PET scan did not indicate
anything in the liver, lung or bones. The cardiac
tests showed that her heart is strong enough for the
chemotherapy which is due to start next week Thurs.
The bad news however is that the PET scan indicated
an area of concern in and near the thyroid on the
left side. Consequently Barb is scheduled on Monday
for not only the surgical procedure to put in her
port (for chemo) 10:45 but also for an ultrasound
and biopsy of the thyroid area at 7:00. Please
continue to keep us in your prayers --We can feel
them at work. Also give God the Glory for the things
He has done. Once again, thanks to each of you
personally for your prayer support, phone calls and
words of encouragement and guidance, and cards. This
outpouring keeps us going on this this journey. He
will never leave you nor forsake you. God Bless!
Love Jim and Barb
Update
August 26,2009
To All:
"Praise be to
God from whom all blessings Flow"
Barb received a phone call this afternoon from
the Oncologist office informing her of the
thyroid biopsy results from Monday. All tests
indicated all samples to be "benign". These
results therefore mean she can proceed with
chemotherapy tomorrow afternoon and every 3
weeks after for a total of 6
treatments. Currently Barb is in pain (as you
can expect) and enjoying whatever relief she can
get from the medication she takes. Since
Barb and I don't know what path these treatments
will take us down we still covet your prayers
and encouragement. It means so much to us to
know that we an rely on each of you to help us
along on this journey. Thanks Again for your
support.
"He will never
leave us nor forsake us"
God Bless Love, Jim
and Barb
Update: 8/27/2009
Charlotte,
Thank You for all you have done --- Barb and
I appreciate it all. Barb had her first
chemo treatment today. The Lord was there
too. The port that was put in place on
Monday was flushed but the nurses couldn't
get a blood draw. Several other flushes were
made, a clot dissolver
was tried and even a needle change -----we
thought we would have to cancel the treatment
and check things out with radiology. Barb
and I said a small prayer to which the Lord
answered. PTL!!! She did have chemo and is
now at home resting but a little nauseous.
We have to go back again tomorrow for and
injection to help keep the cell count up and
next week for a blood work up. We give God
the glory
for all He has done!! Thanks again God
Bless Jim / Barb
Update: 9/19/09
To All, Rejoice in the
Lord Always----and again I say
Rejoice!!!As many of you know Barb
was scheduled for another Dr appt
and round of chemo yesterday.
Needless to to say the appts are in
Grand Rapids which usually means an
early get up (5:30). The Dr appt
went well -- he appeared pleased
with the progress of just the first
treatment and was concerned with
some of Barb's intial side affects.
Consequently he lowered the dosage
of one of the meds by about 10%
(900mg to 800mg). He did say too
that he does plan on seeing her now
before each treatment.
Following this appt she had her
blood drawn (the port is unable to
be used for this purpose as it is
lodged against the artery wall) and
all results were normal (PTL) which
meant she could take the chemo
treatment. The chemo nurse she
now has is different than the
initial one and is very highly
qualified as was the other one. The
chemo consisted of the same three
(3) chemicals as before (4 vials of
one type, 1 vial of another and an
IV of the third). She tolerated the
treatment well and even on the way
home was more alert than before.
Barb has had a couple of bouts with
nausea and tiredness -- which is to
be expected. Overall she seems to be
tolerating this treatment somewhat
better than the last. We praise God
for this as there has been some
reprieve from the shock of
everything we went through in the
weeks before the last treatment..
Currently Barb is resting and I am
praying that she will have a good
day and weekend.. We need to make
another run to the Cancer Center
this afternoon for her post - chemo
blood cell booster shot . Next
Thursday I take her again for a
blood draw to check her cell count.
Her next treatment is scheduled for
October 8 at 8:15AM. Thanks for all
your concerns, phone call, cards and
thoughtful acts of kindness ---
every action is appreciated much
more than words can express. This is
the day the Lord has made -Rejoice
and be glad in it!! Love, Jim /Barb
Just a
brief update to let you know
how things are going
--------- could be
better. This treatment has
been harder on Barb than the
original one. She has been
down more and the evenings
appear to be harder on her.
In addition, I took her
yesterday for her blood work
up and got the results
today. She got a call from
her chemo nurse and she said
her blood count was real
low and she needs to stay in
for the weekend and away
from crowds until her other
shot kicks in ---- then she
can go out again. Needless
to say she is bummed as
Konnor (grandson) has a
soccer game tomorrow.
Other
than that she and I are
thankful for each day that
the Lord has given us and
look forward to the days
when these treatments will
be complete.We appreciate
all the encouragement and
wish we could thank each of
you personally but at this
time it seems to be an
impossible task. Thanks
Again and God Bless Jim /
Barb
How easy is it to
say "I can't".
More often than not
we try and take the
easy way out and say
"I can't". Barb and
I could easily say
that but as you look
at the word can't
very closely, you
begin to realize
that as a Christian
we cannot say those
2 words as easy as
it is. Why? Think
about it and look at
the last letter of
the word can't. As a
Christian you
realize it is
not the alphabetical
character "t" but
rather a cross.
Consequently with
Christ's help and
His death on the
cross we should be
able to say " I can
do everything
through Him who
gives me strength."
Phil 4:13.
It is because of Him
that Barb continues
to fight. Yesterday
was another chemo
treatment as the
attached picture
indicates. We had to
have some fun this
time so we indicate
this is her third
(3) treatment out of
6 ---- therefore she
is 50% or 1/2 way to
being done with
chemo. In the Drs
visit yesterday, he
indicated he wanted
us to see a
radiologist next
week to determine if
Barb can undergo
radiation treatments
in the area where
the cancer was
detected. His
concern was since
she was radiated
almost 15 years ago
in the same area and
no records are
readily available
additional tests may
need to be
done. Barb did some
checking today and
found out that her
old records MAY be
available but it
would take 10 days
to 2 weeks to locate
them ---- our appt
is next Friday.
Please pray that
these records become
available and that
the info needed for
determinations is
contained in
them.Thanks.
UpDate 10/12/2009
Barb has been
bothered with the
proverbial nausea
and tiredness today
but seems to have
tolerated her
booster and flu shot
rather well. Her
spirits are higher
than before since we
are halfway through
and the Dr explained
that with her next
series of treatments
she may begin to
grow some hair,
however minimal.
These treatments are
of a different chemo
nature and stronger
than this first
series and have a
different side
affect, some minimal
and some severe.
Everyone tolerates
this next medication
differently so be
with us in prayer
that the effects
will be minor from
here on out. We want
to thank each of you
for your
encouragement no
matter which way it
has been, It is
greatly
appreciated. Have
a great weekend --
we pray that each of
you will be safe.
Love Jim and Barb
Update 12/31/09
To All:
"Be of Good Courage,
and he shall
strengthen your
heart, all ye that
hope in the Lord "
Psalms 31:24
The above passage is
one that Barb has
had by her chair for
the last several
weeks and gives her
peace and comfort
especially in going
forward with this
new regiment of
chemo. Barb and I
met with the
oncologist and his
staff on Thurs AM
and all appears to
be going well. He
seemed pleased with
her progress and
restated what we
already knew about
radiation
treatments. Barb
will not be able to
undergo radiation
since she had it
almost fifteen years
ago. If she did
undergo radiation
she risks
significant nerve
damage in the area
to the extent of
possible paralysis.
This confirms what
the radiologist told
us a couple of weeks
ago. Her next three
treatments of chemo
do not have the GI
side effects but
rather will affect
the nervous system.
She tolerated the IV
very well on
Thursday but Friday
was another story.
When we got up, Barb
looked like an
overripe tomato. Her
cheeks were red and
puffy and her hands
were swollen and her
muscles and bones
ached, almost like
the flu. We thought
these were the side
effects we talked
about on Thurs. This
was confirmed when
we went back
yesterday for her
blood cell booster
shot. Another side
affect which still
can occur is the
tingling in her
hands and feet.
Today, Barb appears
to be doing better
and is hanging on to
the verse above. She
is definitely
courageous in her
battle and is
leaning on the Lord
for her strength. I
am proud of her. In
addition to the
above, the
oncologist and
surgeon have
scheduled a surgery
date for the removal
of her port,
December 23. What a
great Christmas
present!! Her last
chemo treatment is
still scheduled for
Dec 10. Please
continue to keep us
in your prayers,
they are appreciated
and especially felt
during this time of
recovery. God Bless
Jim / Barb
Psalms 31:24 " Be
of Good Courage and
he shall strengthen
your heart, all ye
that hope in the
Lord! "
08/04
Heavenly Father I lift up John to you in
prayer. He was in a motor cycle accident in Ashville,
NC. He was going around a curve in the Blue Ridge
Mountains and went off a cliff. He landed thirty feet up
in a tree. His neck is broken in two places along with
his back. He has no feeling below his arm pits. He will
be having surgery today, Tuesday 9/4/09. Lord I ask that
you wrap John in your arms of love. I ask that you
remove any pain and discomfort that he may be having. I
ask that you cover him with your healing power from
above. I ask that you guide the surgeons hands and bring
him safely through, completely healed, able to move
every part of his body. I ask that he be a testimony to
the surgeon, medical staff, friends and family of your
healing power and of the power of prayer. I ask that you
comfort his wife Ann and his family and draw each one
close to you. I ask that a Good Report be
given. I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Update 08/19
Hi Charlotte John's surgery went well. His
neck was broken in 2 places. He stills has no
feeling in his legs. Insurance they will not pay to
bring him home therefore, they have plans to do a
fund raiser in order to raise money to get him home.
God Bless
Amelia
Heavenly Father I lift up Nancy to you in
prayer. She states that she needs someone who cares for
her and will listen to her needs. She wants to move to a
dryer, warmer place but has no money to do so. She needs
discernment in choosing who her true friends really are.
Lord I ask that you wrap Nancy in your arms of love. I
ask that you comfort her and draw her close to you. I
ask that you remove any depression that she may be
feeling and replace it with joy in knowing that Jesus is
there for her through it all. Through all of the trails
and tribulations that she faces in her life He is there
for her always. He is her true friend, her rock, her
redeemer, her salvation and only in Him will she find
comfort and peace. I ask that you see to her needs , you
who are all knowing , you alone know what is needed in
her life. I ask that you place Christians in her path
that she can count on , people who will be there for
her, who will listen to her with an open and caring
heart. I ask that you lead her to a church that preaches
the gospel of Jesus Christ, a church where she will see
the love of Jesus flow from the people. I ask these
things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
name above all names. Amen.
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