Greetings,

Cliff had a followup CT scan two weeks ago. The scan revealed NO signs of lymphoma. His blood work continues to be well within normal ranges. When the oncology nurse asked Cliff if he was allergic to anything, he smiled and said, "Yes, chemotherapy." His hair, as you can see, is beginning to grow back. Father's Day was an extra special celebration.

Thank you for all your continued prayers for Cliff and my friend, Carolyn. Monday, June 22, after 28 days in hospital, Carolyn was discharged. Not many of us are excited to be out in this searing St. Louis heat, but, to Carolyn, each day is a gorgeous day! She has a new immune system and a new outlook on life. She continues to return to the hospital for outpatient testing, blood and platelet infusions, etc. She is still taking one day at a time. She has residual side effects from the chemo and radiation causing neuropathy, low blood counts, and a few other problems. Please continue to pray for her recovery.

"For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies." Psalm 57:10

Love,
Beth

Updates

Hello Everyone,

Last weekend we loaded up the SUV and traveled to Upland, Indiana for Blake's graduation. It's hard to believe our little girl is a college graduate! The ceremony was full of joy, tears and celebration. Having Cliff whole, healthy and cancer-free made the celebration even bigger and better. He continues to do well post-chemo. We praise God for His provision for Cliff....and all of us...during this journey.

I wanted to update you on my friend, Carolyn. So many of you have asked how she is and encouraged me with your continued prayers for her. Monday night she began the process of her stem cell transplant. Her body was blasted for two days with chemo. On day three she had a total body radiation and immunosuppressant drugs. Today, she receives her new stem cells. She has back pain from the radiation, but continues to have an incredibly positive attitude. She will be on anti-rejection drugs and predisone (and a multitude of other meds) for the duration. This is like an organ transplant. She will be hospitalized for up to 8 weeks. Please pray for her spirit; she is a very positive person, but this an enormous challenge for the toughest of us. Please pray for her faith; as she began her chemo she cried out for someone to hold her hand. Carolyn told me God held her hand through that first chemo treatment. Please pray she will see and experience God as never before. Pray that He will continue to hold her hand and, when needed, carry her through this hospitalization.

He is Able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or think!
Thank you for joining with me in prayer for my precious friend.
Love,
Beth

FINAL CHEMO!

Good Morning,

We had a powerful storm rage through St. Louis last night, but it left behind a cool, crisp albeit cloudy morning. The trees and flowers are nourished and flourishing. Well, our "storm" is passing through, too. The difficult journey of the last 4 months will end with Cliff's final chemotherapy treatment today. When Cliff saw his oncologist last Thursday, he again remarked that Cliff's recovery has been "dramatic and remarkable". We recognize God's Hand of healing and provision in our life. We are grateful for your continued prayers which have held us up and sustained us through this trial.

Several weeks ago Cliff received an invitation to a cancer survivor celebration in June. "Cancer survivor" are two words every cancer patient wants to hear.

Please pray that the chemo treatment today will, again, result in NO side effects. Then, celebrate with us as Cliff is now a cancer survivor. His oncologist will monitor him with CT and PET scans. We will update the blog with each successive scan. Initially, the scans will take place every 3 months.

"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." Psalm 57:10

Please pray for my sweet friend, Carolyn, as she begins her stem cell transplant May 25th.

Thank you, again, for walking with us throughout our cancer journey.
Love,
Beth

Yesterday, Cliff finished up his fifth chemo treatment.  His oncologist reported his echo looked good with no heart damage from the chemo.  Yeah!!  The oncologist also called Cliff's recovery "remarkable."  He is thrilled with how well Cliff has tolerated the chemo and how quickly Cliff became cancer free...three months from the time of his diagnosis.  We continue to stand in awe of answered prayer and thank you for all your love and support.  ONE MORE CHEMO TREATMENT TO GO!

Please continue to pray for my friend, Carolyn, who is struggling to keep her blood counts up. She has an amazing attitude, but this has been a very long, hard road.  The lymphoma and chemo treatments have taken their toll on her.  Right now she is receiving blood transfusions every other day often with transfusions of platelets, too.  She is on Prednisone which helps to keep her lymph nodes down and her energy up.  She is waiting for a bone marrow match for a stem cell transplant.

Thanks, again, for your faithful prayers!

Love,

Beth

Hello, Everyone,

After receiving the incredible news last week about Cliff's PET scan, both Cliff and I have noticed that the flowers are more vibrant, the trees are more green, and the sky, when it's not raining, is more blue.  We find ourselves smiling and laughing more.  I am amazed how light-hearted we feel when a burden is lifted.  God is good.

Yesterday, Cliff received an Echocardiogram to determine if the chemo is adversely affecting his heart.  Today, Cliff is receiving chemotherapy treatment #5.  Please pray for a good response to this infusion and that he will continue to have no side effects.

Thank you for your faithful support and prayers.  

Love,

Beth

Hello Everyone,

We just left the doctor's office with GREAT news.  Cliff's PET scan reveals NO signs of cancer!!  The exact wording on his report reads "Complete resolution of previously described areas of abnormal uptake.  No evidence for active lymphomatous disease."  The blood test for CBC and platelets revealed very good numbers in normal ranges. 

Cliff will have two more rounds of chemo and then be monitored every 3 months with alternating PET scans and CT scans.

Please Praise God with us as we rejoice in Him.  He is Able!

Love,

Beth

Good Morning,

I hope you all had a blessed Easter. Our oldest daughter, Blake, arrived home from college last Wednesday night and we have had a wonderful, long weekend with her. This was the first time she saw Cliff with his "new" hair style. She said it was hard at first since she has never known her dad without hair. However, she quickly adjusted and enjoyed her time with him.

Well, tomorrow is our BIG DAY. Cliff is scheduled for his followup PET scan tomorrow afternoon. If the scan reveals NO cancerous activity, he will have two more chemotherapy treatments....period.

Please pray for a clear scan tomorrow with no remaining areas of cancer.

"Trials are the food of faith." This trial has challenged us and strengthened our faith in ways never imagined. We thank each of you for walking this path with us.

Love,
Beth