Trish-Prayers for you and Tony

TRISH --prayers going up for TONI for a successful surgery with no complications that will resolve his problem permanently. Let us know when and where the surgery will be ...

UPDATE- It's been a while since I checked in. Been a tough, almost a month, since #6 chemo. I have lost a lot of weight and have very little desire to eat because I am not hungry. I try hard to eat though because I need to! I am able to keep most of what I eat down, not all, but most times nothing sounds good. Luckily I had about 8 days in a row that mashed potatoes and gravy went down well.

Another issue I have had for 3 weeks is my back. Probably from sitting so much the last 6 months, at times it is really painful, but luckily it doesn't last with the worst of the pain for too long. It does hurt at times though for several hours at a time on midlevel pain. The last two days have been a little better.

I finally got my scan although that was an issue too. Went in at 2 on Wednesday only to hear my cell phone ring as we got in the drive. They were calling to postpone me until 7am yesterday. The killer was my back was killing me and lying still for 25 minutes for the scan was horrible! I know the only way I got through it was focusing on the pain Jesus went through for me, somehow I made it.

Angie and I meet with my oncologist on Monday for the results. From there we will see where our Lord is taking me on this journey.

Thank you all of my Prayer Warriors! I can't make it without you :-)

Gary, sending good thougths and prayers. I've been wondering about you and just praying. Sorry it has been so rough for you. Know that we are all here for you.

Gary, continuing to lift you up in prayer. I don't question God but I am asking Him to take this from you.

GARY ~ have been continuing prayer for you daily. Glad that you have been able to keep some food down. When I had the flu, I didn't want to try eating at times, but eventually my taste buds got back in tune. Now I better watch the afternoon munching ... Sending up some prayers for your back pain issues; that the LORD will heal the source too.

I had some with the disks at the top of my neck/back becuz I have to relearn how to sit and stand correctly. I was slumping over too much (over compensating before becuz of the tumor; now it's not there now so I don't have to do that anymore). It will take a bit of practice and awareness to get that down pat, I think.

Let us know what the Docs say about your impending surgery; still praying about that too ...

TRISH ~ sending prayers up for Toni's surgery on Feb 18; and for the pain management doctor. I had some PM docs at the hospital; they were very nice too. My blood pressure got too low at one point so they had to change my pain meds to counteract that (and it worked too).


THE MIGHTY MIRACLES OF OUR GOD: I don't want to bore you all about how I feel this surgery was such a HUGE MIRACLE, but it really, really was. So, I wanted to share this with you all here -- about all the answers to prayer that I had concerning this unusual surgery ...

First, I asked GOD to reveal to the doctors quickly what was wrong with my belly: they found it within a week. Appointments that happened so fast: within a week. Results coming back so fast: some the same day; some within 3-7 days; and the final report less than 30 days.

One of the most awesome answers to prayer was that my blood pressure went back to normal just days before the surgery (and amazingly to normal [120/79], on the same day as the surgery) -- seemingly, all on its own (no, no -- that was GOD for sure). It became an issue where they had to change my pain meds becuz my BP was so low (and it worked).

My family & others coming forward right away, offering all kinds of help like rides, support, care, financial help, and places to stay -- plus offering to look after DH while I was in the hospital too. They have cooked and cared for us this whole time.

They found the right surgeon and team within one week of seeing the specialist, who offered to do it right away; and he had so much confidence that they could do it, just like I had asked GOD about. I knew right away that he was the one.

Plus, my tumor was not attached to any organs, just like we prayed for. Despite its huge size (100 lbs), they found another way to remove it (they put me on my side and rolled it out). I was able to stay under for the whole surgery for 4.5 hours with no problems (my surgeon's biggest concern).

I had 73 staples in my long incision and by the 3rd day, they were able to remove the bandages and I had no leakages. Plus, on the 6/7 days -- they removed all my staples, when they usually don't remove them for 10-14 days, and I felt no pain at all. EDIT2ADD -- Plus, all the pain went away just in time for me to go home -- by the 7th day, I had absolutely no pain and all meds were discontinued!!!

I had no problems with my catheter or removing the stomach drain either. I had such caring and helpful nurses (both male and female) all the time I was there; you couldn't have asked for better care. Plus, I had Christians around me (some men) in my ward rooms who prayed for me while I was there (that had to be GOD who put them there).

Now that I am resting and healing; some of the symptoms I had before the surgery have all gone away. Incontinence and numbness issues have reversed. My tender skin on my calves is healing already, now that all my nutrients are going to my body now. I am hoping that will totally reverse eventually.

My walking is getting better each day. I am amazed at how much I can walk without the canes around the house already. That is such a huge improvement for me ... and I hope within this coming year to be able to walk even further. Soon, when I am stronger -- we will try a shopping trip to see how I do.

So many other things that I had prayed for privately were answered as well. I really believe this was about GOD'S WILL, GOD'S WAY, AND GOD'S TIMING. That way, no-one else could take all the credit for answering all those prayers; and it was the best way that GOD knew would work out for us; and at the right time -- before the tumor caused me any more serious problems (I had mentioned this to GOD in my prayers beforehand).

Even still, I am so amazed by all this; and so grateful. Plus, I am sure as time goes by, and my body heals even more, that the change in my body and quality of life will become more evident to us and others too. I really believe GOD did this to show His amazing Love and Power in our lives.

GOD DOES ANSWER PRAYER! People try to argue away miracles beforehand and afterward, but this one was so fast and so obvious and so amazing -- there is no doubt in my mind and my family's mind that it was miraculous. People still have a hard time believing they took a 100 lb tumor out of me, even when they hear it.

I was carrying around a tumor the weight of a small woman -- and they removed it successfully! PRAIZE GOD ... that IS a Miracle!!!

EDIT2ADD ~ BTW, I forgot to tell you all that one of my doctors told me that I had absolutely "no fat" in my abdomen whatsoever (nor around my organs either). She wanted me to know that becuz so many doctors had told me that I was just fat and needed to lose weight (when I asked about why my stomach was so big). Another answer to prayer ...

Rosebud, That is AWESOME and a TRUE MIRACLE!! I am so happy that everything went so well for you and now pray for continued healing and strength! Praise the Lord!!!

rosebud, All I can say is Praise The Lord ! I was confident
that God would hear and answer, He never disappoints.

Gary-I continue to pray for you. I know God will get you through this

Rosebud-Like Bargoo, all I can say is Praise God! I frequently think about your surgery and am just astounded at your progress and the fact that you survived a 100 pound tumor! Keep getting stronger-you're going to feel like a very different person

Thanks to everyone for keeping my DH in your prayers. He had a couple really bad days at the plant this week with people being very rude and antagonistic toward him, so I prayed for their mouths to be bound (but didn't tell DH) and wouldn't you know it, but he said Thursday and Friday weren't too bad...so, if you get a chance, please keep up the prayers for bound mouths, and that God would remove the attitudes of immorality, lack of ethics, and disrespect for those who are trying to work responsibly.

RONNI -- sending up more prayers for protection for your DH on his job and for guidance from the LORD about your future too.

Sending up prayers for ALL of you and yours ...

Ronni---will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that things continue to keep getting better for you and your DH

My prayers continue for all of you and your husbands/children in all things!

I just don't have enough energy at this time to post individual responses.

Love you all :-)

We all love ya' Gary!! our continued prayers for you!

A shocking thing happened Saturday Morning. A sexual assault occurred on our church property. Neither victim or the perpetrator attend the church.This happened in broad daylight, I don't have all the details but I understand she was walking on church property when she was accosted. Please pray for the victim as she tries to cope with this attack and pray that the perp will repent and confess.

Oh, Bargoo, how awful. Praying for the victim's full physical and mental recovery, and for justice and repentance for her perpetrator.