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

A Friend's Sister in Idaho (10/19/2006)

Hello to All,

What do the following have in common?

• A friend's sister in Idaho
• A Baptist temple in Oklahoma City
• Iowa State friends from Singapore
• A college principal in Australia

Early in this storm we received an email from a friend here in Dallas who encouraged us with the news that her sister in Idaho was praying for us. It wasn't the first or the last of such emails, but it was the one that made me take notice. Certainly, God was at work if someone in Idaho, who didn't even know us, cared enough to pray.

Since I am former anal retentive accountant, I decided we would begin to keep track of all the states and countries where there were people praying. The current count is 12 countries and 30 states.

Countries: United States, Thailand, Peru, Columbia, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, The Ukraine, Hungary, Ecuador, Albania, China and Texas.

States: Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Indiana, Idaho, California, Ohio, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Oregon, North Carolina, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Washington, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey, Colorado, and Alabama.

In his book God in the Storm Marc Mailleffer writes, "Remember this the next time you come alongside someone who's going through a storm. Don't ever think prayer is the least you can do. I believe it may be the best we can do for those in a storm."

Thank you for giving your best to us and others who are caught in a storm.

Ann and I are leaving for Houston momentarily and will spend the afternoon and evening undergoing a number of tests. We meet with Dr. Steinert at 1:00 pm on Friday to review the results and then start Round 3 around 3:00 pm. I will drive back on Monday morning and Ann will fly home on Wednesday.

Dread and fear are two words that capture our emotions.

2 Corinthians 1:10b-11a:
On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
as you help us by your prayers.

Prayer Requests:

• That Ann would have emotional strength to return to Houston on Thursday, to meet with the doctor, and to begin Round 3.
• That the tests on Thursday and Friday would show that the cancer has at least stabilized.
• That God would show his love and power to the kids while we are gone.
• That God would completely heal Ann in his time and in his way so that she might know our grandchildren.
  

Thanks for your concern and prayers,
Howard & Ann

What's Up with the Kids - Epilogue (10/15/2006)

Hello,

It appears that the chapter on our kid's health has thankfully concluded.

Hannah's knee surgery last Monday went well. Apart from her reaction to the anesthesia, which allowed her to set the family upchuck record, she have been recovering very quickly. Her knee should be as good as new after three weeks of rehabilitation - just in time for basketball season.

The doctor's determined that Drew's heart and liver were both healthy. The tests had just recorded variations of normal that is common with teenage athletes. His chest pains during soccer were likely a result of asthma.

The hematologist determined that Paul's platelet counts were also normal for a teenager. He just needs to eat more red meat because he is slightly anemic. Paul laughed about his plight because we have become a chicken-only household thanks to my heart.

Our determination to hide Matt from doctors continues.

I have been experiencing more frequent chest pains over the last month, so I had a nuclear stress test on Wednesday. The cardiologist concluded that my stints were open and my heart was functioning fine. Apparently, I'm just a bit stressed out. The great news is that my cholesterol had dropped down to 117. I will keep eating that chicken, but will also indulge in a few more chocolate desserts.

Ann has enjoyed being home these last two weeks. She has been able to see Matt play football, watch Drew play soccer, help Hannah recover from surgery, and shop with Paul for his girlfriend's homecoming mum.

The second week was much better than the first, both physically and emotionally. (It seems that emotional strength is often impacted by how one feels physically.) She and her mom decorated the house for Fall on Thursday, which was a pleasant surprise and a welcomed symbol of normalcy.

The highlight was spending yesterday afternoon and evening in a nearby state park with friends from our Bible study who were camping. It was great to be out of the city and to see trees instead of buildings and to hear silence rather than traffic.


Prayer Requests:

• That Ann would have emotional strength to return to Houston on Thursday, to meet with the doctor, and to begin Round 3.
• That the tests on Thursday and Friday would show that the cancer has at least stabilized.
• That God would show his love and power to the kids while we are gone.
• That God would completely heal Ann in his time and in his way so that she might know our grandchildren.
  

Psalm 34:17-18:
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted,
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.


Thanks for praying and caring for us,
Howard & Ann

Hey, It's Good to Be Back Home Again (10/2/2006)

Hello to All,

Ann and I returned from Houston this afternoon, having completed her second round of chemo, just in time to eat supper together as a family. We are now thankful for things we previously took for granted.

The second round of chemo was tougher than the first - both physically and emotionally. We have heard from fellow warriors that this is often the case. We will return to Houston on October 19th for tests to see if the cancer is growing, has stabilized, or is shrinking.

Some of the kids spent the weekend with friends; some stayed here at home. Fortunately, the house was still standing when returned and truly looked great. Each child has stepped up in his or her own way to help out.

Ann will be here in Dallas for about 2 1/2 weeks to rest and recover. Her mother comes from St. Joseph on Wednesday to help handle some of the "mom" things, so that so that Ann won't try to.

Prayer Re-Runs:

• That Ann would enjoy being a mom without acting like a mom while here at home.
• That the tests on October 19th would show that the cancer has at least stabilized.
• That God would completely heal Ann in his time and in his way so that she might know our grandchildren.
  

Psalm 30:2-3:
O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the grave;
you spared me from going down into the pit.

Thanks for your prayers and concern,
Howard & Ann

The Second Round (10/1/2006)

Hello to All,

I stole a few minutes to watch part of Cinderella Man a couple of weeks ago. Towards the end of the movie James Braddock drove off to Madison Square Garden to fight the bigger, stronger, younger world champion. His wife fearfully avoided a ringside seat, but walked to her church to pray for his safety. She found a packed house when she arrived – dozens of family and friends had already filled the pews to pray for his safety and victory. Their prayers impacted the outcome of the fight.

Even though I had seen the movie before, I was especially gripped by that scene given our present circumstances. Thank you for the calls, cards, and emails. There are times that we feel like throwing in the towel. Your encouragement keeps us fighting. Thank you for praying for our safety and victory. Your prayers are impacting the outcome of this fight.

Round 2:
Laurie drove Ann back to Houston this afternoon so that Ann can begin her second round of chemo on Thursday morning. I fly down on Saturday and hope to bring Ann back Monday afternoon. She will then be at home for a little over two weeks before the next cycle begins.

Prayer Requests:

• That God would strengthen and heal Ethan and Darla; Chris, Ray, and Linda; Lisa, Nancy, and Judy… each is in their own ring with an overwhelming foe.
• That Ann would respond to this round nearly as well as she did the first one.
• That God would heal Ann so that she can know our grandchildren.
  

Exodus 17:11-13:
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up-- one on one side, one on the other-- so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Thanks for holding us up in this battle.

In Christ,
Howard & Ann