The Answer is "No" (5/12/2007)

Hello to All,

We met our oncologist yesterday noon in Houston. Unfortunately, the news was not as good as we had hoped. The cancer had started to grow again in the Ann's liver. The existing lesions had increased in size. Numerous new lesions also appeared in her liver.

This news is completely disheartening and overwhelming, but not unexpected. Chemo doesn't kill angiosarcoma. In fact the doctor was encouraged that Ann's break was as long as it was. She was also encouraged that the cancer had not spread to other organs and that the tumors in her bones remained unchanged. Things could have been much worse.

We will meet with an oncologist in Dallas on Tuesday and hope to start chemo on Monday, May 21st. This new regimen will consist of a three week cycle administered in Dallas. The first Monday will be one type of chemo, the second Monday two types, and the third will just consist of blood work. After two cycles we return to Houston for tests to see if it is working, if it is keeping the cancer at bay. There is no limit set for the number of cycles for this regimen.

We specifically prayed that God would give Ann another break for Mother's Day. He said no.

• Does this mean that God doesn't answer prayer? No.
• Does this mean that God has abandoned us? No.
• Does this mean that God won't answer our ultimate prayer for healing? No.
• Does this mean we should quit praying? No.
  

Ten years ago in April Ann and I took a random business trip to Dallas. By the end of July we had migrated here to attend Dallas Theological Seminary. We never had a guarantee that we would make it, but we knew that God wanted us to try. It was rather foolish - with a wife and four kids - to sell our house in Iowa, buy a house in Dallas, quit my job in Des Moines, move to Dallas, and receive a job offer in Oklahoma on the way down. Yet, God honored our foolishness for his sake and made it all work. I graduated a year ago today.

I have no guarantee that God will choose to heal Ann, but I know he wants me to pray to that end. It's rather foolish to believe that God will heal incurable cancer; he doesn't do that any more. Prayerfully, he will honor our foolishness.

Prayer Promises:

• Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. [Luke 18:1]
• If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [John 15:7]
• Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up. [James 5:14-15a]

Prayer Requests:

• That a spot will open up in Dallas for Ann to start treatments on the 21st. Currently, they are booked.
• That God will strengthen Ann's heart, mind, and body to face chemo after such a nice break. She's having a tough time.
• That God will heal Ann in his time and in his way so that our grandkids can know Ann's faith and love. This remains our ultimate prayer.
  

Thank you for praying and caring for us.

Love,
Howard & Ann