JAJ 14 - ASC 0 (10/21/2006)

Hello to All,

Ann scored a couple of touchdowns at yesterday's doctor's appointment.

• Toleration. Dr. Steinert was very encouraged by how well Ann's body is tolerating the chemo, because it is a very toxic regimen. Ann's blood counts have rebounded well and she has had only mild nausea.
• Effectiveness. The chemo has been very effective in fighting the cancer after two cycles. The lesions on her liver were dramatically reduced. One large tumor went from 2.6 cm to 1.2 cm. Several of the smaller ones are now hardly visible. The lesions on her bones (spine, ribs, shoulder blades, and pelvis) showed no change. The doctor assumes that these lesions have also decreased, but it is difficult to confirm from the tests that were taken. There is no evidence that the cancer has spread to any new areas. The lungs remain clear.

Marc Mailleffer records the following testimony in his book God in the Storm, "It is so easy to become overwhelmed by the future and the questions that arise...Yet I have found that God gives strength for today and provides miracles along the way to show me that He is in control of this situation."

We believe that Ann miraculously scored because God answered your prayers. We are encouraged by this fresh evidence that He is in control in our storm.

Yet we are guarded in our optimism. We don't know the final outcome, or even know how long the battle will last, but we do know the referee (1 Cor 10:13).

Psalms 44:3-4:
It was not by the sword that they won the land,
nor did their arm bring them victory.
It was your right hand, your arm,
and the light of your face, for you loved them.

Prayer Requests:

• That Ann would handle Round 3 better than Round 2.
• That Ann would continue to stay healthy while her blood counts are low (that the kids and I would not get sick and get her sick).
• That the mild pain in Ann's back, which may be caused by the cancer, would subside - evidence that the cancer in the bones is being defeated.
• That God would heal Ann so that she can know our grandkids.
  

Thanks for cheering and praying for us.
Howard & Ann