Good news!!

I guess we left Maumee just in time - to avoid the beginning of the latest snowfall.  Here in Zion there was no additional snow even though their piles of snow are still around. 

When we left the hotel to come to the hospital this morning, the sun was shining and it wasn't so cold that you froze to death just stepping outside.  We got here, signed in and immediately went to the second floor where they do the port access and blood draw.  We were not scheduled to see the doctor today so normally the blood work they do is not as complete as it is when we see her.  We knew, however, that they would be testing for CEA today because, depending on that reading, we might be making some adjustments to the treatments. 

We got the results just before chemo.  Two weeks ago, the CEA reading had jumped to 5 from the previous reading of  3.4.  Today's reading was 4.3.  Praise God!!  We were told that if that reading was higher today, we would have to begin taking an additional medication which has it's own set of special unpleasant side effects. 

There are so many lessons to be learned through this journey.  We go to God with our problems -- we pray and then we tend to take those problems back and worry about them instead of leaving it with Him.  That is the human part of us.  He is there for us - He makes that promise to us.  What we should be doing is putting it in His hands and not continuing to worry about it.  

Outside the cafeteria here is a white board with a map of the USA on it.  There are markers available for people to write comments.  We usually check it out and sometimes put our name on the state of Ohio.  Today we saw a reference to Jeremiah 29:11   AGAIN!!  That scripture reference has appeared to us previously when things have not been going that great!!  God keeps reminding us that He is in control... he knows the plan and we need to have faith that His plan is best for us. 

Please keep the comments and emails coming -- I love hearing from you -- and keep us in your prayers!!

"...for when I am weak, than am I strong."

We had an ice/snow storm yesterday. Makes for great photos, but kind of a pain to travel in and when you have to blow the snow and shovel the ice off the driveway and walks.  Pretty, but looking forward to Springtime!!

Just wanted to say a few words about our recent "set-back".   We have spent much time in discussions about the recent test results and the plans for future treatments, whether we change medications or dosages or whatever.  We have questions that we will present to the Oncologist and we are ready for any changes that she may prescribe.

We have asked ourselves whether we are guilty of not having enough faith or whether we have failed God.  Maybe we have not specifically asked for what we want.  We could go on and on beating ourselves up regarding our shortcomings, but what good would that really do?  God knows we are not perfect and He wants us to come to Him for our strength and courage as we travel through this journey and all He has for us to do.   Maybe we have to travel through some rough times so we can learn to depend more on our Heavenly Father.  The scripture tells us that "...My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness".

I believe we have lessons to learn all through our lives and that God is right there with us to guide and protect us and pick us up when we fall.  We are so thankful for what we have and how He has heard and answered prayer for us. God is in control!

Please continue to remember us in your prayers...that is the best thing any of us can do for each other.

A Bend in the Road

It is snowing again but this time as we look at the snow, we are in Zion Illinois.  Their piles of snow are bigger than ours at home!  It is cold - temperature was 14 degrees when we drove here this morning. 

We received some news today that we really didn't want to hear... the CEA is up to 5.  Even though the blood work showed that elevated CEA reading, physically, Arnie feels good...told me that he feels better today than he has felt the last couple of times we were here.  Dr. Neelam said she wants to look at the CEA in 2 weeks and if it is elevated more, she is going to make some changes to the chemo treatment. 

As I stated before it would be easy to be angry or bitter towards God when things don't go as we think they should.  He never promised that this would be a smooth or even an easy undertaking, but with His grace, we will persevere.  God is in control.  We look at this as a bend in the road and God is still there for us - all we have to do is continue to trust Him.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers.