It’s been a long month of waiting, but Mike finally has a chemo treatment schedule! A surgeon will put a port in his chest next week and then he’ll start chemo the following week. All the waiting has allowed him some time to recover from his surgery, get some of his strength back and even regain 8 of the 35 lbs. he lost. In fact, Mike’s overall health has improved so much over the past month that his doctor now believes he’s strong enough to handle a much more aggressive chemo treatment than he initially recommended. The downside of this chemo combination is that it will increase the likelihood of more adverse side effects like fatigue, weakness, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss, peripheral neuropathy, and low white and red blood counts, which could also increase his risk of infection. The benefit of this treatment is the hope that it will fight the cancer more aggressively. In some cases it has even shrunk the cancer back enough to allow a resection surgery to remove the cancer. Whatever the course of action, we know that ultimately, Mike is in God’s hands. So we ask for continued prayer for healing with minimal side effects, as well as wisdom, strength, and grace for the journey.

Thank you so much for the constant stream of encouraging words and prayers! This has been a very full month enjoying the company of our family and friends in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Thank you for your helping hands and for all the visits from near and far. Our hearts are full and our eyes are fixed on the Lord as we face the coming challenges.

“LORD, be gracious to us! We wait for You.

Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble.” Isaiah 33:2