~Out of Recovery~

Jan has made it out of recovery. She is still a bit sleepy, but otherwise is doing great. She remembers everything and is able to retain the information she is given. Mom and Gerald have been able to visit with her and as Mom put it, "she is full of it."

Thank you for all your prayers, comments and love!

Cheryl

~Recovery Time~

The surgeon just finished talking to Gerald and Mom. Jan is in recovery now. She is awake, but sleepy. She did really well during surgery and he removed all of the tumor. The tumor showed dead tissue, but also some activity, which is what the PET scan showed. It will be a few hours before she gets out of recovery. She will not be in ICU, but in a room but will have a nurse who is only caring for her. She should move to a regular room tomorrow and get to come home Friday or Saturday.

It is our understanding that there has always been some activity at this site. The surgeon said since there is activity, they will be changing her treatment. We will know more about what comes next either the end of this week or the first of next week.

Please continue to pray that she recovers well and no problems arise from this surgery. Pray also that the next treatment is one that is well tolerated.

Mom will update me again when she has news or when they get to see Jan.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

~First Surgery Update~

Received the first update about 10:45 from Mom.

Report is that surgery started at 8:47 this morning. The nurse reporting had gone by at 10:00. They had removed the main tumor and were getting ready to clean up the area and close. Apparently closing takes as long as opening.

Jan has done great. Quiet surgery and all has gone well.

They are sending the tumor off to pathology, but the surgeon believed that he would have a good idea if it was dead tissue or active.

Next update from nurse is at Noon, but she said doctor would be by before then.

Thank you all for joining us in prayer. I will post more as I am updated.

Cheryl

~Update~

The surgery is to begin around 8:00 a.m. this morning. Jan had a great day yesterday. God answered prayers in a big way. She was not anxious at all. She had some additional testing, which included blood work and a MRI to map the exact location.

They also met with the surgeon again and they are very pleased with him. He explained everything what should occur; said her recovery will be easier and different than last time. She will not be in ICU, but will have a nurse who attends to just her. Tomorrow morning she should be able to go into a regular room and one person can stay with her all night tonight.

Jan was very upset when they saw him last week and he was very concerned and wanted to make sure that he didn't do anything that caused Jan being upset last week when she saw him.

Thank you for your prayers and I will continue to update as I have information.

~More Information~

The surgery will be Tuesday morning. It will take four to six hours. This is the surgeon's first surgery of the day. Please pray for God to work through this surgeon, that he will have steady hands, and be rested for this surgery. Jan is very nervous about having the surgeon. She said that being able to come home this weekend has been calming for her.

MD Anderson is very strict in the patient's vistors. They are only allowed 4 visitors per patient, which should be no problem, since Mom and Gerald will be there. The surgeon told Jan she should have an easier time this time since she will not be in a coma and she will know beforehand that she has had surgery.

Pray for Gerald and Mom as well as they will be alone during this surgery and recovery time, and the trip home.

Pray that Jan has a quick recovery and that all goes as planned.

I will post when I have information. I sent out an email last night to many asking prayer for Jan. I have had a tremendous response. Thank you seems so small, but thank you for joining us to readily in continuing to walk this journey with us.

Praise the LORD, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me."Psalm 103:1-2

Love and hugs!
Cheryl

~Grace~

I Corinthians 1:3 ~ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow, Sunday, at Noon, Gerald, Jan & Mom leave to return to MD Anderson. Jan will have a scan Monday. The surgery is scheduled for some time Tuesday. I'll let you know the time when I find out.

Please pray especially for peace for Jan. This has been an extremely difficult decision, as we can only imagine. Secondly, please pray for dead tissue and great results all around.

The plan is for the surgery to be Tuesday and with no complications she will get out of the hospital on Friday and will be able to either fly or drive home.

I think the rest of our family will be here at home. For me, this is extremely difficult. I would rather be there.

I will update as I have news.

Thanks so much for all your prayers.

Cheryl

~Tentative Decisions~

Since learning the news yesterday that the doctors at MD Anderson were recommending Jan move forward with surgery to determine whether the change in her MRI is dead tissue, she has been torn in what to do. At this time, after being armed with more information, I think she is leaning toward having the surgery.

She had the Doppler ultrasound of her legs/feet, but I have not heard what the results are yet.

Please pray for Jan as she moves forward. She has some concerns about problems caused by surgery. Pray that she is covered with an abundant of with the decision that she makes and for a successful surgery with not problems resulting from the surgery, as well as the findings to be DEAD TISSUE. Please pray that this is the answer to Jan's (and ours) prayer that the cancer be removed.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29 NLT

~Results, Plans and Prayers~

Well..........let me see if I can explain the results correctly.

I'll start with what is absolutely good news. There are 2 areas. One is on top and this area is "cold," which means DEAD TISSUE. The other area, where she had surgery initially, shows dead tissue, but also shows some activity. It is unusual for the two to be different.

The oncologist believes they are both dead tissue, but to be safe, the only way to know for sure is for Jan to have surgery. Her oncologist had already hand picked a surgeon this morning and they saw him this afternoon. He said, right off the bat, that he would not do surgery, unless he absolutely believed it was necessary. I think if she chooses to have the surgery, they will go in to see what is there, remove what they can whether it is active or dead tissue.

It has been Jan's prayer that God take away the tumors/cancer. In saying that, she NEVER wanted to have surgery again. She is EXTREMELY upset. When she had her initial surgery she was in a light coma and didn't know she had surgery until it was over.

She is also having a ultrasound on her legs because her feet are swollen.

"The antidote to suffocating, stifling, stagnating fear is simple faith."

"If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer. His grace is sufficient, His promise unchangeable." Written by John Newton."

So don't worry, because I am with you. Don't be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you." Isaiah 41:10

"One of the greatest promises of God is that we don't have to face our fears alone. He is always with us; never will He forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

God will:
Help you in trouble ~ Psalms 46:1-2
Provide your needs and give you peace ~ Philippians 4:6-7
Eliminate fear ~ Leviticus 26:6
Give boldness ~ Proverbs 28:1

Since we truly experience His love, we can walk boldly, with a sense of confidence to God and let Him handle all the anxieties that trouble us.

Pray that Jan has a sense of peace and comfort. Pray that God gives her what she needs to make the decision in which direction she should take. Also pray especially that Jan, but also our family will remain steadfast in Faith and that we will not give in to Fear. Nothing can rob you of joy, confidence, optimism and opportunities more quickly than a spirit of fear.

"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge --that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19

If Jan chooses to have surgery, she will have to return to MD Anderson sometime Monday for pre-operative testing with the surgery being Tuesday.

I would be so grateful if you would join up in prayer, especially for peace and comfort for Jan.

Love,
Cheryl

PET Scan Scheduled

Jan is having the PET Scan today at 1:00. I think she probably will see her oncologist tomorrow for the results. I would be honored if you would:

1. Pray for great results.

2. Please also pray especially for Jan. She feels like her faith is being tested and she is failing the test. We can't begin to imagine how hard this has been for Jan. I believe she has done an amazing job in every aspect of this journey. Please pray for her faith to be restored and for peace.

3. Pray that this time off chemo her body will rebound and she will be physically restored.

4. Pray for safe travels.

I'll post the results once we have them. Thanks so much.

~Prayer~

Jan had her testing yesterday at MD Anderson. She saw her oncologist this morning after having to have her blood work redone.

Results are her white count is a little low, but otherwise blood work looked good.

MRI is a bit different. Dr. Gilber, her oncologist believes this is "dead tissue." But, to be sure they are working on scheduling a PET scan. This may take 1-2 days. Please pray first and foremost that this is nothing more than dead tissue, but also that they can get the PET scan scheduled and get great results, so they can return home.

Romans 8:28 (New Century Version)

28 We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.[a] They are the people he called, because that was his plan.

Cheryl

~Word Filled Wednesday~

Last Sunday we had a surprise birthday party for our Mom. We weren't sure we would be able to pull off the surprise, but we did. She didn't have a clue what we had been planning. We had a great turnout and tons of fun. I will post pictures soon.

Jan returns to MD Anderson next week, June 15-16. She will have extensive testing this time due to changes in the protocol for the clinical trial she is on. We would love to see great results. Please join us as we pray!

For More WFW, see http://the160acrewoods.com/.

Have a great Wednesday!

~Keeping Busy~

Here are some of the necklaces I've made over the last few months. This first one is black agate beads with clear quartz and a sterling silver daisy pendant.

I'm not very good at taking pictures or the colors are not showing up accurately. The one above is pink turquoise wavy beads with small silver beads.

This is turquoise with a sterling silver flower pendant.

This is a black/rust agate with a black agate pendant.

Red coral graduated beads with sterling silver.

Dark green mother of pearl with 1 sterling silver bead off to the side.

Red handmade turquoise beads with mother of pearl off to the side and small copper beads.

Orange mother of pearl with 1 jade bead off to the side.

Black quartz beads with red carnelian and 1 small sterling silver heart to the side.

Brown mother of pearl with swarovski cream pearls.

Brown quartz beads with sterling silver.

Multi-color pearls with sterling silver pendant.

Pink mother of pearl with topaz swarovski bicones.

Small puff black agate square beads with copper daisy spacers.

Tigers Eye graduated beads. I think you may be able to enlarge to get a better look, if you like.

Have a great day.