Our God is Mighy to Save

Eleven Down, One to Go!!! I just got back from my eleventh chemotherapy infusion a little while ago. I am laying in bed at home typing this - yea for advances such as wireless internet!! I got a bed in the treatment area this time too (as opposed to a reclining chair) so I had an awesome nap once the Benadryl and anti-nausea meds knocked me out - usually I am so tired but it's really hard to get comfortable in that stupid chair. Anyway, I only have one more chemo treatment left!! I can't believe it's almost over - I am ecstatic just thinking about what it's gonna be like to walk away from the last one. Then I will have a couple of weeks break before the radiation starts. I have no idea what radiation will be like, but at least it is the home stretch. Then I will have a PET/CT scan every 3 months for two years to make sure it does not come back. If it does, it will most likely be in the first two years. After five years, the chances of relapse are extremely small for this type of cancer, although I will be monitored to some extent for the rest of my life due to possible late effects of radiation.

"Savior, He can move the mountains,
Our God is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save.
Forever, Author of Salvation,
Our Lord has conquered the grave,
He has conquered the grave. "
(from the song Mighty to Save)

"Behold, He comes,
Riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun,
At the trumpet's call.
Lift your voice,
It's the year of Jubilee,
And out of Zion's hill,
Salvation comes."
(from the song Days of Elijah)


When I was 23 years old and healthy, I rarely gave much thought to my own mortality. I believed in what Jesus had done for me on the cross and was excited that I could go to heaven to be with him someday, but "someday" seemed a long way off. There was so much else to worry about right now. But then I was suddenly faced with the very real possibility of death. And the words to these songs and the reality of what Christ did for us on the cross has become so much more real to me. We have nothing to fear in this world - Jesus has conquered the grave! So, no matter what happens to us, we have every reason to celebrate!!!!

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

Survived Tahoe

We're back from Tahoe, minus any (serious) injuries! A few highlights from the trip:

• XC Skiing at Claire Tappan lodge & Northstar (w/great video of Christie spilling... but couldn't downsize it to post here)
• Reading "God's Missiles Over Cuba" (by Tom White) & "The Pastor's Wife" (by Sabina Wurmbrand - Brie gave us those books for Christmas)
• A new board game
• Hot chocolate & hot tubs
• Lake Tahoe Red (great local beer)
• Finding a local church on Sunday
• Returning to Tahoe without Christie's "monster" (last time we were there was our 2 week Tahoe Rim Trail hike in July) =)

Jude 20-21: "But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."

Tahoe Here We Come...

So, I have almost survived another week of chemo. I am still not feeling that great...but today was better than yesterday. I mostly just rested all of today and yesterday, reading a little bit when I was awake, and enjoying the strange warmth and sunshine that has fallen upon the Bay Area this week from the comfort of our new sunroom. I think, after four months, I have finally learned how to "just rest" when I feel sick after chemo, and let my body heal. Ryan is on duty tonight, but our friend Ali came over to eat dinner with me and we grilled chicken(this was the first time I have ever actually grilled anything - believe it or not!!) and watched her crazy puppy run around my backyard.

Tomorrow, we are supposed to leave for our Tahoe trip. I am really excited!! Please pray that I will continue to feel better and we will have a safe, fun weekend. It will be so great to get away together!! And it will be my first snow experience of the winter! (Ryan's ahead of me - he hiked Mt. Whitney back in November - overachiever!!)

Ryan also had a cool rescue yesterday - you can check out the video at www.cgvi.uscg.mil. Click on video, then "Coast Guard Rescues Two Men and a Dog" (http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=449509). Go Ryan!!!!

May God bless you immensely in the New Year!!!

All is Well

So, Ryan's fever is gone and he is feeling better. His stomach still feels a little sick, but he has been going to work and stuff. He flew yesterday and he is on duty today. And I have not gotten sick!! - thank you for all the prayers. Last night, we went for a run along the beach and then went out to dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants. It was nice. Today, I have to finish writing my input for my OER (Officer Evaluation Report). I'm having a hard time figuring out what I've done the past six months BESIDES fight cancer, lol, and I'm not even allowed to mention that. And Ryan is at work right now working on the same thing, when he's not flying.

It seems like this week flew by - I can't believe I have chemo again on Monday. The good news is I am down to 3 remaining treatments (if everything looks good on my next PET/CT scan)!! And more good news - Ryan and I are going to Lake Tahoe next weekend to celebrate our anniversary!!! We are going to try out our new snowshoes and probably some cross-country skiing too. I am excited!

I hope you all are having a wonderful New Year! God is truly and always good!

PLEASE PRAY!!!!!

Ryan is sick!!!! He has common virus or flu symptoms, including fever. He really does not sound like he feels good. I have been in San Diego since Sunday night for work and will return home tomorrow night, so I have most likely not been exposed to whatever he caught. He will go to to the doctor tom morning to see what they can do, and if he is still contagious tomorrow night I will probably not be able to stay with him, as I did not have the growth factor time so my white blood cell counts are potentially very low.

Please pray for his speedy recovery and my continued protection.

New Year Resolutions!

It's funny how big events seem normal over time. I mean, 4 months ago, Christie received a cancer diagnosis. And now, how often we forget she still has it.

She has chemo every other week, and on her off-weeks we completely forget about the cancer. Such a blessing to be able to forget about the cancer on those off weeks.

Of course, the flip-side to that is the jolt of remembrance every other Monday when we drive back to Stanford and sit with everyone else who has cancer and receive scans, treatments, and updates.

Yet, we do not want to completely forget. The clarity and grace that Jesus has brought to us through this are just too important.

Christie's PET/CT scan came back a few days ago - still normal, showing no signs of cancer. There is still scar tissue, but we won't know how fast it is receding until we bring the old scan in to compare. It looks like radiation will begin sometime in February, depending on treatment. Christie's white blood counts have been fluctuating since the doc only puts her on Neulasta when her counts are really low (as in, below 200!). So - please pray that I do not get sick. If I do, I'll have to isolate myself from Christie (not sure if that means sleeping on the couch, in the doghouse, or somewhere else =) since her counts are so low.

PS: just kidding, there are no New Year's Resolutions =)