Praise God!!! Yes, I am finished with my radiation treatments!! Thank you for praying for me during these last six weeks of treatment. It feels so good to be done. Now, I have to be patient while my burns heal. Wow! I am so thankful for all of you who have encouraged me over and over again. Thank you for all of your support!! God is so good! It is such a great blessing to have so many caring friends!! Please continue to pray that God will use me in the lives of my new friends who have also dealt with cancer. I have had some great opportunities so far. Thanks again.


Diane

I have only 3 days left with my radiation treatments! Thank you for praying for my endurance; all of you prayer warriors!! The Lord keeps giving me opportunities to use for Him. I have some interesting stories of how I have been able to encourage others who are doing radiation treatments as well. God has been so good to me through my journey.


Diane

Thank you dear family and friends for continuing to pray for me. I have had 5 days off from my radiation treatments because of skin burns from the radiation. Believe me, this is quite a journey. Thankfully, the end is in sight. I have 8 treatments left. This week, I have 4 treatments. Then I will finish up with 4 more next week. August 5th is the day I am looking forward to being done. The Lord has given me so many opportunities to share my hope and trust in Him. It really has been exciting! Psalm 100: 3-5 says, "Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Thanks for praying for my endurance and that God would continue to use me for His glory.


Diane

I finished my 17th radiation treatment this past Friday. Thank you for praying for me! There are 11 more treatments left. It is much harder to go through the radiation than I thought it would be. Please keep praying that I can endure the pain and discomfort. The Lord has enabled me to share my faith with different ones that I have met during these last few weeks. I have been able to give out more cancer books. God is always good even in the hard times. Having all of my children at home this summer has been a huge blessing! Praise God! I have so many things for which to be thankful.

It has been 3 weeks since I finished my last chemo treatment. What a relief to be finished! Thank you so much for all of your prayers. Tomorrow, I will start my first radiation treatment. It has been so wonderful to have so many caring friends and family members supporting me in prayer. Thanks again for praying as I start this new phase of my treatment. I have been memorizing Psalm 5:11. This is what it says, "But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you."


Diane

I can hardly believe that the end of May is here. What that means to me is that my last chemo treatment is on June 1st. I am so glad that the end is in sight!! Thank you so much for praying for me during these past few months. Today, in my devotions I read, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand. Psalm 31:14-15 "Our times are in God's hands; our souls are in His keeping." What a blessing to put my trust in the Lord during my cancer journey!! Even in the difficulties of life, I have a personal God who cares about all of my needs. Please keep praying!


Diane

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me!!! I really feel your prayers. Today, I am very tired after my chemo treatment yesterday but so thankful to be done with my third one. I am so thankful for all of the tremendous support from my church family, friends, and neighbors. So many people have done such kind things to help me during this time. I really appreciate all of the cards, yummy meals, flowers, and other acts of kindness. God bless each one of you!! Yesterday, I was able to give out two more cancer books to women who seemed to appreciate them. Praise God!!

Diane has had a very good last couple weeks of health, but tomorrow is another chemotherapy treatment, so we may be in for a tough week or so. The good news is that after tomorrow, she will only have one more treatment to go (June 1). Please be praying for her tomorrow and the next few days. Thank you so much!

Rick

I finished my second chemotherapy on Tuesday. Yea! I am half way through. It has been a blessing to not be as nauseated as last time. I am still very tired and not feeling my best. God is always good though. I was able to give another cancer book away to a woman who is in a whole lot worse situation than I am in. Hopefully, she will read about the joy of knowing Jesus.

Last weekend, some wonderful friends let us use their beach home for 3 days. It was such a blessing to relax and enjoy the beautiful ocean that God has made for us to appreciate. The fresh air was just what I needed.

Now, I am getting used to wearing either a hat or a wig. It is a very humbling experience to lose my hair. The Lord is teaching me a lot about loss, pain, and discomfort. I am hoping to help other women go through the same kind of experiences I am having as He brings them into my life.

Thank you for praying for me. Every prayer means a lot! I Peter 1:3 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Diane

Our doctor's appointment Thursday was disappointing. We weren't sure before if Diane would need a full course of radiation, but now we know she will. So when chemotherapy is done around June 1, then she waits a few weeks, and then she has 5-6 weeks of daily radiation. After that it will take some weeks to recover. So it looks like a rough road until the end of summer. Pray for God's comfort and encouragement.

Rick

Diane did very well yesterday with her first chemotherapy treatment. She faced it with courage and faith, and she felt reasonably well all day. She was also able to give a Christian book about cancer to one of the patients also getting chemo.

Today, however, she is feeling more nauseous and cold. At the same time, God gave her a good opportunity to encourage a sister in Christ who has cancer that she met today at the doctor's office.

So please pray for Diane. There are hardships and there are opportunities all rolled together. And thank you for your love. Diane feels it, and it encourages her.

Rick

Thank you again and again to all of you who are praying for me. The Lord continues to bless me every day with His goodness and many blessings. For example, today I recieved a very encouraging call from my dear missionary sister in Christ from Japan. I really feel loved and cared for by my wonderful Southwest Hills family. I will start my chemotherapy at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning after I meet with my oncologist. Thanks for praying as I start this new phase of my cancer journey. God is so good! The verse that I am claiming for tomorrow is, "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Diane

Yesterday, I went to a 2 hour class about chemotherapy. The nurse at the class told us to do any needed dental work before starting the chemo drugs. I knew that I was past due for my 6 month check-up. This morning, a gal from my dentist's office called about one of our children needing to make an appointment. I told her about my situation with starting chemo this week. She was so nice to let me come in this afternoon for a check-up. When I arrived at the office, she got right up out of her chair and gave me a big hug. She said that they would do anything I needed to help me at this time. Wow! Now, what you need to know is that my wonderful Christian dentist is in very high demand. To be able to get an appointment on the same day is next to impossible. The Lord encouraged me so much through this experience. I am praising Him for how He is watching out for me. Also, I want to say thank you to all of you who have sent cards. Many people have sent me more than one card. The beautiful cards have such encouraging words and the Bible verses really mean a lot to me. Thank you!!!

Diane

Well, it's been a few days since you heard from us. Things haven't changed that much. Diane was able to go to church Sunday, and she really enjoyed being with everyone. Unfortunately, she had an alergic reaction to one of the meds today, but she is doing better now. Please be praying about the chemotherapy treatment Tuesday because it's going to be really hard when she starts losing her hair. Thanks for you love and prayers.

Rick

We just got back from the oncology doctor. Diane will have to have chemotherapy but only four treatments. She begins March 30 and then has the other treatments every three weeks. We'll be done around June 1. There still may be radiation treatments after that. Here's the good news: the prognosis is very, very good that the cancer will not recur. Keep praying! God is good.

Rick

Tuesday at 4:00PM is when we see the medical oncologist to learn what Diane's follow-up treatments will be. We expect that she will need chemotherapy and, perhaps, radiation; but we won't know for sure until tomorrow. Pray that God will give us grace and faith to trust him regardless of the outcome. In the meantime, we sure do appreciate all the love you have shown us. Many have brought meals, and many more wish to do so. We're suggesting that you wait until we see what the future treatments will be. If Diane does need chemotherapy/radiation, we will have a much greater need then. Also, Diane wanted me to thank all of you for the cards, flowers, rides for Matthew, etc. You have truly encouraged her. We sure love you.

Rick

Thanks again for all your prayers. Yesterday was a much better day. We took the advise several of you gave and stopped trying to get Diane off the pain meds at this point. It worked well. Today is starting off better too. Thanks again for caring.

Rick

We got the results of the biopsy today, and they were not what we hoped. A few of the lymph nodes had cancer, so Diane will probably have to have chemotherapy. We won't know exactly what the follow-up treatment will be until we see a different doctor next Tuesday. Anyway, this was hard news to take on top of the pain Diane is still feeling. We are trusting the Lord through all this, but we need your prayers.

Rick

Today was a hard day: lots of pain and nausea. However, this evening Diane is doing better. It helps to have Naomi and Andrew visiting from college. They liven things up a lot at home! Thanks again for your prayers. Diane has been getting about two cards in the mail every day, and they are so encouraging to her! Thanks for all you are doing for us. We really appreciate all of you.

Rick

Diane is trying to wean herself off the pain meds, but it is a challenge. There is still a lot of pain and discomfort. It's not necessary for her to get off the meds anytime soon, but she would sure like to. Please pray about this. All in all, we are doing fine. Your love, prayers, and support have made a difficult time much more bearable. Thank you!

Rick

Once again I want to thank you for your prayers for Diane. She is doing a lot of sleeping today, probably because of all the pain meds. Pain is still a problem, but the meds keep it pretty much under control, but they do make her really drowsy. Right now she is up and around and wants me to thank all of you for your prayers and support. Looks like we're pretty much covered for meals for the next week. Thank you very much! If there is still a need after that, we'll let you know. Thank you also for the cards. Diane loves cards, especially if you put your favorite verse from the Bible on it.

Rick

Good news! Diane was doing so well today that I was able to bring her home. However, she still has a lot of pain, and we won't get the results of the biopsy until Friday or Monday, so please keep praying. Thank you for all the love and support. We really appreciate the way you have prayed for Diane and shown your care for her.

Rick

Thank you so much for all your prayers! Diane got through the surgery just fine and is resting in her hospital room. However, she does have a lot of pain, so please keep praying. She may be able to come home tomorrow evening. We'll see how she's doing. We will get the results of the biopsy Friday or Monday; then we will know what kind of follow up will need to be done. I'll be with her pretty much 24/7 until she leaves the hospital; so if you want to call, just call her cell phone, which I will answer (720-3344). That way you don't have to worry about waking her.

Rick

Well, we really need your prayers this week. Diane goes into the hospital early Tuesday morning for surgery. She will be in the hospital for at least one night, and maybe two. The doctors believe this will remove all the cancer. After the surgery, we will learn what kind of follow up will be needed. She would rather not have any visitors, but cards and calls are certainly welcome. I'll be taking a week of vacation to care for her. Thank you again for all the prayer support. We love you!

Rick

"God is with us through every situation, in every trial - protecting, loving, guiding. He knows and loves us completely." These words are from a note in my Bible. They have meant a lot to me during these past 2 months. It has been a long process of having many tests, waiting for results, and seeing different doctors. Through all of my emotional ups and downs I have felt the faithfulness of the Lord.

Thank you to all of you who have encouraged me and prayed for me. I finally found out the date for my surgery. It will be on March 2nd. Please keep praying for me and my family.

-Diane

I had good news from my test this past Monday. Thank you to all of you who are and were praying. It means so much to have praying and concerned friends. I am so thankful and am also so blessed. The Lord answers prayer.

Diane

The verses that I keep reading over and over again are from Psalm 33. Verses 20-22 say, "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." As I wait for more test results, I am so thankful that I can put my trust in the Lord.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers. On Monday morning I am going to have a very important test. Please pray for me at 7:30 a.m. I have really felt God's peace during this past week. God is so good all of the time.

Diane

I am so blessed to have so many caring friends. About a week ago, a friend gave me A 90-Day Devotional for Women called, Praying Through Cancer. This book has encouraged me as I have read about other women who have travelled down the same road I am now experiencing. Every day I can hardly wait to read the next devotional. After the short true story of what a sister in Christ has gone through because of having cancer, there are scripture verses to read. I am so thankful for God's Word!!!


Diane

We went to two doctors this week, and Diane will probably have another scan next week. Her situation is a bit complicated due to the cancer she had two years ago, so there are still a couple questions the doctors have to clear up before we know exactly what the course of treatment will be. She will probably have surgery sometime in February.

Thank you for the cards so many of you have sent. They are a tremendous encouragement to her. And thank you also for not talking to her much about the cancer and the treatments. It's really heavy for her to have all of this on her mind. She so much prefers just being treated like anyone else.

I'm proud of her. She is really trusting the Lord through all she's going through.

Rick

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know, He holds the future;
And life is worth the living just because He lives."

That's the song our doctor sang to us today after she prayed for Diane. We've got a great doctor! And we got some pretty good news: The MRI biopsy scan on Tuesday was able to locate the primary cancer site, and the grade of the tumor is only a 1, so it's not very aggressive. Diane will need surgery, but it won't take place for a couple weeks or longer. There are some options, and more tests need to be done first. Please pray for the appointments we have with doctors next week, that God will give us wisdom as we make various decisions about Diane's treatment.

Just a note to let you know how you can encourage Diane: She wants to relate to everyone normally and doesn't want to talk about her cancer or the treatments. (These are heavy things to always be thinking about.) So when you see her, talk about other things. She knows you care about her health, and you can always mention that in a card or email. (She loves cards with scripture verses you write on them!)

Rick

Thank you very much for all of the prayer support and concern I have felt from so many dear friends. I really appreciate all of the cards and scripture verses. They have been such an encouragement.

Diane

After recovering from a bad cough (and therefore not previously being able to lie still for an MRI), Diane was finally able to get an MRI biopsy this last Tuesday. So we hope to get the results on Friday, and we will post them on this blog.