“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1Corinthians 2:9

We are experiencing the truth of 1Corinthians 2:9 in our lives.  Although we would not choose for Lois to have cancer, we are amazed at what God is doing – both physically and spiritually – as we walk day-by-day with Him.

Yesterday, Aug 20, Lois and I traveled to Iowa City for her Chemo treatment number four. It was just the two of us for the drive there and back and we enjoyed our time together.

The Oncologist continues to be encouraging. The blood work “numbers” look good, the liver seems to be softer, and Lois is feeling good.  Although her blood pressure was high, they were willing to concede that the stress of anticipating another reaction to Chemo might be the cause. (They did send us home with instructions to take Lois’ BP everyday at different times.)

The Chemo infusion took over four hours and Lois started to have a reaction but sensed the symptoms and we took action. First of all, she got up and moved around. Second, she took an extra four TUMS to increase calcium. Third, we prayed.  In answer to prayer, the reaction never went beyond the initial symptoms. God gets all the credit!

” . . . no mind has conceived what God has prepared . . . ”

On a more personal note: Due to the very gracious gift from a family member-by-marriage who won a contest at a Christian Radio station, we had an unforgettable 33^rd Anniversary celebration! On Friday night, Aug 15, along with 15 friends and family, we were treated to a private suite at Principal Park to watch an Iowa Cubs baseball game.  Then, on Saturday, we had 20 entrance tickets to the Iowa State Fair and enjoyed a wonderful day, again, with family and friends.  We still have to schedule a day at Blank Park Zoo – twenty tickets for that were also included.

Friday, Aug 22, Lois should be “deported” from the fanny pack pump about 1 pm and she is planning to go with me to Missouri Christian Union Council.

Thanks for praying!

In Psalm 90:12 Moses pleads with God: “Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!” (The Message) That is our prayer and plea, “Lord, teach us to live!” It would be so easy to just shift into neutral and coast but that is not what we choose!

On Wednesday, July 30, Lois and I drove to Bloomington, Indiana to visit friends and the church we were part of for over ten years. Lois stayed with Tim and Kathy while I attended Indiana Christian Union Council on Friday and Saturday. It was good to worship at Evangelical Community Church again and greet so many people we rarely see. The fellowship and prayer times we shared were precious. I think that’s what Moses had in mind when he asked God for life lived “wisely and well.”

Thanks to some generous gifts Lois was able to make this trip with me and then take a flight from Indianapolis to Des Moines on Tuesday, August 5 so she could be at her third Chemo infusion on Wednesday. The flight and all the connections went well but Lois’ one piece of luggage was mauled in a conveyor belt. Although none of the contents were missing, the suitcase was destroyed. The airline did replace the suitcase!

On Wednesday, Aug 6, Joy and Tony took Lois to Iowa City where her blood work came back with the best numbers we’ve seen! That’s an answer to prayer. The Chemo infusion was proceeding normally until the Eloxatin was finished. Lois wanted to walk to the restroom and couldn’t get her legs to work. The Drs. injected a clot buster and within forty minutes everything was back to normal including her blood pressure. They kept her for an extra hour and sent her home with a stronger blood pressure medication and the now familiar “fanny pack pump.”

On Friday, August 8, a home healthcare nurse came and unhooked the pump and checked all the “vital signs” and found no problems. Once again, prayer and the nausea meds and pain pills controlled all the side effects. Lois is tired when all this is going on and for a couple of the following days but is really doing well.

After putting Lois on the plane in Indianapolis, I went onto the Ohio Christian Union Council and arrived home August 11 late in the evening. This is a very busy “season” for Christian Union and not being with Lois for her third Chemo was hard but obviously part of choosing to “live wisely and well.”

This is what the LORD says – he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. Isaiah 44:2-4.

Lois and I – and the whole family – have certainly experienced the blessing of God’s presence like water poured out on dry ground! We fully recognize the great value of faithfully praying friends. Thanks.

On Friday, July 11, Lois finished the IV pump chemo we took home with us from Iowa City. Although the nausea medicine made her drowsy, there were no other side effects. We drove to the North Kansas City area on Saturday, had supper with a pastor and his wife and attended two different churches on Sunday before beginning set-up for camp.

We had a great week at camp. The Lord was so good to Lois as she was able to do a lot more at camp than any of us expected. She did go to our room and rest or nap several times per day; and everyone did their best to make sure she didn’t have to walk too much by giving her rides on the golf carts. The reaction from alumni staff and campers was almost overwhelming.

On Wednesday evening, Tim Smelcer, our speaker, used Lois as an illustration in talking about trusting God in even the most difficult circumstances. He led the campers in prayer and anointed Lois with oil as all the pastors present (about 8) laid their hands on her. That was especially moving. We took every opportunity to remind anyone who would listen that we, too, are believing God for a miracle but will still trust Him no matter what happens.

Today we were at the University Hospital in Iowa City for “round two” of chemo. The initial blood work indicated no major changes so we’ll move forward with the chemo plan agreed upon two weeks ago.

It took just under four hours to infuse the three chemo drugs and hookup the fanny pack pump Lois will wear for the next 46 hours. Lois did just fine until we got out to the car. She tried to remind me to take the stamped parking ticket out of my pocket before I sat down in the car and the words wouldn’t come out right. Her hands were trembling and she said her tongue, fingers and feet felt “funny.”

We walked back into the infusion center and described what was going on and were inundated with nurses and Drs. Lois’ blood pressure was high (191/101) but that is somewhat normal after one of the drugs and given the stress of the situation. They checked her over and had her relax in the recliner for the next 90 minutes before giving the OK for us to drive home. We were warned to watch for signs of a stroke and told to check her blood pressure often.

As I write this Lois is sleeping on the couch. The combination of chemo drugs and the nausea meds make her really drowsy.  We’ll do our best to keep everyone up-to-date.

This is what the LORD says – he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid . . . Thanks for praying

Trust in the Lord. A simple statement with incredible implications. It’s actually quite easy to trust the Lord when life is smoothly cruising along without any bumps or sharp curves or accidents or cancer. But when the tough times come, trusting the Lord is an act of the will. It’s not easy. It doesn’t feel good. Trusting the Lord in crises demands our full attention and complete obedience.  In those times we are held accountable to our commitment to God. Will we trust him completely even when . . . ?

We arrived at the hospital at 7:35 Wednesday morning for a day of tests and procedures and the first infusion of Chemo drugs. The first item on the agenda was lab work. Lois’ hemoglobin is 10.5. A little lower than optimum but a huge improvement from the 5 Lois was at on May 19.

Then it was on to Interventional Radiology where they surgically inserted a port into Lois’ upper right chest that gives easy and comfortable access to deliver drugs and draw blood. No more pokes in the arms for lab work.  As soon as Lois shook off enough of the grogginess from that procedure, they had her drink the grape flavored liquid to make her glow for the CT Scan.  Trust in the Lord.

Finally, after being at the hospital for six hours, we walked down to the cafeteria and ate lunch at 2 pm – the first food for Lois since Tuesday night at 10. Of course, when we got up to the Clinical Cancer Center, it was back to hurry up and wait to see the Dr.  The news was not what we wanted to hear. Trust in the Lord.

The CT Scan revealed growing tumors in the liver. The original three, which were found on May 21, have grown significantly and now there are many more tumors in the liver although they are mostly small. We could see the shock on the faces of the two Doctors who told us. Trust in the Lord.

Previous plans for the Chemo cocktail were abandoned and in 90 minutes a new combination of the same drugs in stronger amounts was finalized and prepared. The cocktail includes Avastin, which we weren’t scheduled to begin until July 23 but the Oncologists strongly recommended that we set aside caution and attack the cancer as aggressively as possible.  We agreed – but our trust is in the Lord. (Normally they wait at least 10 weeks after a major surgery to use Avastin since it greatly decreases the bloods’ clotting factor.)

The Infusion Center started the first drip at 4:20 and finished at 8:25. Then we had the fanny pack pump hooked up for a 46 hour delivery of one of the drugs. We arrived home at 10:10 pm and Lois slept as well as possible considering she had the pump hooked up and was sore on the right side where they inserted the port.  She is taking a low dose of pain medication and the meds to prevent nausea.

Home Health Care will come at 6:30 pm on Friday to unhook the pump and flush the port. We plan to leave about noon on Saturday to drive to Liberty, MO, just north of Kansas City. Sunday afternoon we begin set up for Tri State camp which begins on Monday afternoon and wraps up at noon on Saturday the 19th.

The words of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego keep echoing in our hearts. (See Daniel 3:16-18) We know that God is able to heal Lois and take away all the cancer, but even if He does not, we will still trust Him; worship Him. That is our mutual commitment: Trust in the Lord.

In the past few days there have been many questions about how Lois is doing. The only possible response is that she is doing better than anyone can believe and that’s an answer to prayer! Maybe the following statements will help communicate that Lois is doing great:

• One morning last week Lois spent an hour outside with all five grandkids blowing bubbles.

• Lois has resumed taking care of all the laundry at our house and helps Kari and Joy with theirs.

• She is cooking, doing light cleaning, and taking care of the many flowers and plants she’s received.

• Lois is driving, running errands, and visiting people.

• She has been with me multiple times to visit my Mom in the nursing home in Sigourney.

• On Father’s Day, she attended church and then we spent until 3 in the afternoon at Joy & Tony’s house with all the family.

• Lois is experiencing very little pain or discomfort and is only taking Tylenol and Ibuprofen as needed.

• She is able to sleep well at night and takes at least an hour nap each day.

Last week at this time we were talking seriously about Lois going with me to meetings in Ohio. However, over the weekend it became apparent that she is doing too well to sit around in a hotel room while I’m in board meetings so she stayed home. Monday she spend all day at Joy’s houose helping with the kids. (Turnabout is fair play: After all four of Joy’s C-sections, Lois had to lift the kids up to sit on Joy’s lap. Now its Joy’s turn to put the kids in the chair with Lois!) Fortunately she did stay home because the dentist called today. They had a cancellation and were able to take Lois this morning to begin the dental work that has to be completed by July 9.

Thanks so much for praying! I hope you have a better understanding of the answered prayer we are experiencing.

The rain continues here in Iowa. They are calling the floods in central and eastern Iowa unprecedented due to the incredible amount of water that is moving through the state. When we were in Iowa City yesterday, for Lois’ appointment with the oncologist, there were sandbags and roadblocks everywhere as they get ready for the river that runs through the city to crest next week. Although we had no difficulty getting to Iowa City, we have now learned I-80 will close tonight due to high water.

As of right now, we haven’t had any more water in the house. Thanks for praying.

Now, about the appointment with the oncologist: We really appreciated how they conducted the meeting. First, a resident Dr who works Dr Halfdanarson, met with us and made sure we had the correct information about the cancer, where its located, how it metastasizes, that its in stage four, etc. We looked at the CT Scan on the computer and, via technology, moved through the liver and could see where the three tumors are located.

We learned that if we choose the most aggressive chemo, Lois will need to finish some dental work begun in February before the first chemo treatment due to the risk of bleeding and clotting problems. (We’ve already called and have dental appointment on June 24.)

Radiation is not an option as the cancer is too widespread.

Dr Halfdanarson explained all the options and patiently answered our questions. He was hesitant to give statistics since most of the colon cancer they see at stage four is in older people. He was willing to recommend a “chemo cocktail” he predicts has a 50% chance of having any impact on the tumors in the liver and that if the chemo does have a positive impact, there is a 50% chance the tumors will shrink enough to make surgery an option.

We have chosen to proceed with a “chemo cocktail” with these main ingredients:

• Fluorouracil which is used for colon cancer, rectal cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, head and neck cancer, liver cancer, and ovarian cancer.

• Oxaliplatin which is used to treat colon or rectal cancer that has spread (metastasized), it is often given in combination with other anticancer drugs (fluorouracil and leucovorin).

• For the second and following infusions they will add Avastin which is used for metastatic colon or rectal cancer, as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen

Although the list of possible side effects is long and scary, the Dr explained that for a patient of Lois’ age and health he expects no debilitating side effects. He currently has patients on the same regimen who come in the morning for an infusion and go back to work that same afternoon. Lois was warned to begin using skin moisturizers liberally as this “cocktail” can dry the skin; and to watch for sores on the palms of her hands and soles of her feet. Also, there could be some tingling sensation in her fingers and toes. She is to be very careful of eating or drinking anything cold for 48 hours after an infusion as that often causes a sensation which makes a patient feel as if their airway is becoming blocked.

This will all begin in Iowa City at the University Hospital on July 9 and here is the schedule:

• 8:00 am labs – We have to leave home at 6 am to make this!

• 9:00 am Interventional Radiology to surgically install a port in Lois’ upper right chest. After this port is installed it will be the site for all injections, infusions and blood for labs.

• 11:15 am CT Scan to determine the baseline so that progress can be accurately measured.

• 12:15- eat lunch after CT – her first meal since midnight

• 1:00 pm Dr. Halfdanarson to go over all the labs and CT Scan

• 2:00 pm chemotherapy infusion which they predict will take until 6 pm to complete. (Future infusions should only take 2 hours and we won’t have to do all the labs and scans each time.)

When we head home Lois will have a pump in a fanny pack to continue sending drugs into her system for 48 hours after which it can be disconnected by a local RN.

Two weeks later, on the 23rd, Lois will have the second infusion which will include the Avastin. There will be four infusions two weeks apart and then we will have another CT Scan and a full set of labs to determine what progress is being made. At this point they could adjust or even completely change the chemo drugs depending on what the tests show.

We asked what the possible outcomes might be:

• Tumors might begin to shrink – if so, they would continue with the same cocktail for four more infusions. They don’t expect enough shrinkage for surgery from just four infusions.

• Tumors might grow – if so, they would change the drugs in the cocktail and do more infusions or give us the choice to discontinue

• Tumors might not change at all – if so, we face the difficult choices of what to try next – there aren’t many options.

This is a lot of information but we hope it helps everyone understand what we face and how to pray.

Lois is improving everyday. She is walking further and sleeping less; eating normal foods but often – she eats something every two to three hours. Saturday night Lois decided to try one pain pill instead of two and she still slept through the night. Monday, June 2, when we went to Iowa City to have the staples removed, was the last time Lois took pain medication other than at night. She does take some Tylenol and Ibuprofen during the day.

We have finished cleaning up the mess from the water in the lower level of the house. Tomorrow the carpet that won’t dry out will be removed. Although its been raining a lot the past few days there has been no additional water.

Sunday I drove to Indianola and spoke in the two morning services at the Christian Union church since their pastor was out-of-town. It was good to be with the people there some of whom we have known since 1993.

We are looking forward to our appointment with the Oncologist in Iowa City on Wednesday afternoon. Hopefully the flood waters in that area don’t postpone that meeting! We have quite a list of questions and are anxious to hear the options for reducing the liver tumors.

I’ll try to get out an update on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

Monday morning, Lois and I drove to University Hospital in Iowa City. The surgeon, Dr Wilkinson, checked the incision and they removed the staples. He was very pleased with how Lois is recovering and gaining strength. We did talk with Dr Wilkinson about what future options we might face. He talked about it from his view point as a surgeon but urged us not to reach any conclusions until we meet with the oncologist, Dr. Halfdanarson, on June 11. Dr Wilkinson expressed serious concern about the tumors in the liver. Waiting to learn all the options is difficult. We were back home in Hedrick shortly after noon.

Lois is resting and napping a lot during the day; eating small meals every 2-3 hours; and walking more everyday. Tuesday she even ventured downstairs a couple of times and today her activity level continues to increase although she is taking more naps, too. Lois enjoys phone calls and visits and we are both enjoying the food so many wonderful people are sharing with us.

Tuesday morning the 3rd, we woke to a severe thunderstorm which dumped three inches of rain in less than an hour and, for the first time in the four years we’ve lived here, the sewer backed up. It started slowly and I was able to get everything off the floor except some flattened boxes behind the freezer. By 10 am 75% of the lower level had at least three inches of water and there were four other men helping try to deal with the flood. At one point there were two pumps that were brought in trying to keep ahead of the rising water. By 1 pm the standing water was gone leaving a lot of soaked carpet on the concrete floor.

A carpet cleaning service spent an hour sucking 260 gallons of water out of the carpet and floor. About the same time, they started working on the sewer line trying to figure out how and why it got blocked. Using a power snake, they discovered a blockage about eighty feet from the sewer access. It took several tries over two hours but they were able to break through and drains started running freely again.

I spent all day Tuesday and all day today trying to deal with the mess and figure out how to put things back in place without allowing them to touch the floor. The carpet has to come up even if we can get it dried out because of the bacteria in the water. I looked at the carpet in a closet and discovered it has a foam backing which is glued to the floor and in won’t even peal up – it disintegrates. I learned that it will take a special chemical to get the carpet up and deal with the remains of the padding.

Hopefully in the morning I can get my office functioning again. Fortunately none of the books in the library were damaged – yet. I’m worried about mildew in the air and have a fan and a dehumidifier running in that room. I don’t look forward to having to move all the books in order to replace the carpet. One of the components that made this so difficult is that much of the stuff from my Mom’s apartment, which we vacated in April, was in the spare bedroom. So I’m being forced to sort all of that quickly.

It’s been a tough time: February, the tragic death of Evyn Gentry; March, Mom fell and broke her neck and the subsequent surgery; April, vacating Mom’s apartment and moving her to a nursing home; May, discovering Lois has advanced cancer and yet didn’t show any symptoms until May 18. Now a flooded basement. I’m tired.

Lois is having a good weekend. She was feeling well enough that we decided I should go and do the leadership retreat in St Joe, Missouri that had been planned for some time. I left early Friday morning and returned about 8:30 last night. Kari spent most of the two days with Lois.

Lois is dealing with a back ache. We are unsure if this is surgery related or is from sitting and reclining and sleeping more in the past two weeks than she has in the past two years! Ibuprofen and Tylenol seem to relieve most of that discomfort. She is taking the stronger prescription pain medication at night and sleeps most of the night.

Her belly is sore and she holds a pillow to her belly when she coughs, blows her nose and gets up. Lois is usually self-sufficient and that hasn’t changed. She get ups, get dressed, takes showers – all without assistance. Many people have brought in food and she is eating small meals every two hours or so and gets her own food and cleans up the dishes, too!

Several people have stopped by and many have called. Most have remarked that Lois is much better than they imagined. We attribute the reduced pain and discomfort and the speed at which she gaining strength to answered prayer.

Tomorrow we get up early and head to Iowa City. Lois has an appointment at the surgery clinic at the University Hospital to have her staples removed. Hopefully that doesn’t leave her too uncomfortable.

We appreciate continued prayer. . .