Our dear friend
It is with a heavy heart that I have to share this news of our dear friend Julie who has cancer, this is the Email she sent out.
Dear friends and family,
We have been blessed by your kindness to pray for us and encourage us during these last couple of trying weeks. We are grateful that our load is lighter because you are bearing it with us. Thank you!
The Thursday and Friday procedures to take care of the kidney drain were, indeed, routine. We give thanks for this. It was interesting to find out from several medical staff that metal stents, like the one they removed because it stopped working, actually very rarely fail. Ray wasn't surprised to know that I was a "problem child" in this as well. At any rate, the new set up is working great. The docs left a short tube in my back in case we ever need a back-up plan (pun intended) to drain my kidney.
As for the bowel constriction, we've been in communication with MD Anderson for advice on how to resolve that issue. The Bozeman surgeon said that surgery is the only way to fix the problem. Therefore, we contacted MDA to see if they could do that surgery, and perhaps take care of some tumors along the way. (Honestly, the thought of being opened up again is horrifying!) Last Thursday, MDA let us know that it is "not in my best interest" to have any further abdominal surgery. The cancer is too invasive and my low albumin levels would inhibit tissue repair; opening me up would be a total disaster!
We are grateful the Bozeman surgeon decided not to operate on me when I was in the hospital a couple weeks ago. Resurrection Sunday morning he came into my hospital room to make the decision about surgery. Standing by my bedside he sighed and said, "Not today. I don't know why, but not today." But I knew why: Proverbs 21:1--The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. We now know that the Lord sovereignly protected my life that day. For that we are grateful.
Since surgery is not an option, I will continue the restricted diet in order to nurse along the bowel constriction. It is just a matter of time before it is fully obstructed. When that happens the medical staff will do their best to keep me comfortable until it is time for me to meet Jesus face to face. As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness (Psalm 17:15). We trust Him to unfold His plan according to His perfect timing (Psalm 139:16).
With this news, our family has shed a lot of tears. Of course, this has been our path since my diagnosis in September 2013, but the current reality is still difficult and sobering.
The Lord was very kind to ship in a special healing balm from Idaho for the weekend. Our son, Landon, his wife, Ashley, and their two little punkins, Fletcher (22 months) and Weston (11 weeks) brought some special cheer and laughter to our home these last few days. (See attached photo.) It was delightful for all our family to be together. For this we are thankful!
Thank you for your continued prayers for our family that we would endure in faith, fixing our eyes on Jesus--the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-3)--that we may glorify His great name!
Blessings,
Julie and Ray
Attachments area
This is going to be a tough summer, she told us Sunday at church she is looking forward to our first ride, I don't think she will make it until the trails open up. She has teased me and given me grief about being such a big Cry Baby ever since she informed us of her diagnosis in September of 2013, She told my wife she wants me to be a Paul Bearer at her funeral, I think that's her way of one last dig because she knows how hard it is going to be for me. We are very sad and will miss her immensely.
