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