HALLELUJAH AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! Psalm 91:1-2

Hello dear ones!
Just a quick post to wish you all a happy 2013 and deliver some very good news.  My first round of chemo is complete and that is a major “HALLELUJAH” in itself!   I  had a  PET scan (last month) which revealed that the tumors that were there in July were there no longer,  and I proceeded to have a the bone marrow test done the week before Christmas.  This is the definitive test of progress as it goes to the source of where lymphoma happens, and I am so happy to report that my bone marrow was completely clear, a “couldn’t have been better” report to quote my oncologist.  I think Marv and I were in shock when the news was delivered!

This was a very rapid and complete response to treatment, and I have absolutely no doubt that your prayers have prevailed in my situation.  How will I ever find the words to thank all of you who have stood so faithfully with me in prayer?  My heart is full when I think of your love and willingness to exercise your faith on my behalf.  I’m not sure we human beings can ever grasp the incredible power of prayer.

Now, this disease is relentless in nature, so preventative measures are necessary to prevent reccurance and I continue to ask for your prayers.  My oncologist wants me to go to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas sometime in mid-January to get a second opinion regarding further treatment.   There are some fairly new but very promising chemotherapy protocols that are maintanence in nature and are given every few weeks just for the purpose of preventing recurrance and they may be a good option for me.  If I go that route, I can probably avoid having a stem cell transplant which is a very intensive procedure that carries many risks and almost certain negative effects on my body in general.  I had originally thought that was my only option, but with my rapid progress and clear bone marrow at this point, I may be able to avoid all that.  Please pray that Marv and I and our doctors have great wisdom as we make further treatment decisions.

Meanwhile, we are praising God continually and anticipating a 2013 full of His grace, which is the element that has been with us every step of the way just as He promised.  This afternoon I was reviewing in my mind the course of 2012, and I marvel at how God’s presence has been so real.  I have learned much, some of which I have already shared with you along the way, and I wouldn’t have traded a minute of this last year for all the good it has brought to my walk with Him.  Words like “thankfulness” and “joy” have taken on whole new meaning as I have experienced them both entirely apart from what the world views as at least negtive and sometimes horrible circumstances!   I will close just by saying that as I thought of all that, I saw myself being firmly and lovingly tucked under His wing in a way that I know has changed my life forever, and I am grateful beyond belief for all of the life experience that 2012 delivered to me from the hand of  our awesome God!  May He alone be glorified.

May God bless each one of you richly as we all continue on our journey with Him in this fresh, new year!                      Joy