Cliff's update

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday we picked our oldest son up from college in Indiana and tomorrow we will put him on a plane for a semester abroad in Ireland. Please pray for Cliff and Paul to have some good father-son time before he leaves. They are very close and Paul is concerned about his father. Please pray that Paul will be able to have a successful semester without being too distracted with Cliff's illness.

My friend, Carolyn, was discharged from the hospital today. She found out her lymphoma is stage 4 and she will be getting a stem cell transplant asap. Her hematocrit keeps falling and she has already had 4 units of blood this week. The doctors are also struggling to keep her lymphedema in her legs under control. She has a long road ahead. Please keep praying for her, too. She is truly touched that all of you....people she has never met....are praying for her.

You all are a blessing to us!
Love,
Beth

Good Morning,

As I look out over the beautiful, snow-covered landscape, I am reminded that God's mercies are new every morning. Cliff feels pretty much back to normal. He will have his next chemo treatment in 3 weeks.

My friend, Carolyn, received her diagnosis yesterday. She has a very aggressive form of lymphoma. There are many different kinds of lymphoma and her type needs immediate treatment. She will begin chemo today. Please pray for her strength, faith, and that she will tolerate the chemo well. Please, also, pray for her wonderful family....they are hurting.

Thank you for your continued faithful prayers for Cliff and Carolyn.
Love,
Beth

Cliff's update

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continued, faithful prayers. We appreciate all of you as you follow Cliff's blog and support us in so many ways. Cliff's chemo went far better than the nurses or doctor expected. Then, over the weekend Cliff had NO side effects. He looks great and feels great. Because he faired so well, he even remarked to me "I can't believe I just had chemo." We understand that the second and third chemo treatments may hold some adverse effects, so Cliff is by no means expecting to skate through this process as smoothly as he did this past weekend. Please continue to pray for minimal side effects. Also, please pray that the chemo is destroying all the bad cells and his good nutrition is helping to create new, healthy cells.

We don't always understand God's Hand, but we TRUST His Hand. This past weekend we received a call that one of my dearest friends from college was in the hospital. She was undergoing a battery of tests. We just received news today that she has lymphoma. As you pray for Cliff, please pray, too, for my sweet friend, Carolyn. Please pray for her to receive that "perfect peace that passes all understanding." And, please pray that Cliff and I can be an encouragement to her. I asked permission to place her on this blog. I told her we have faithful prayer warriors all over the globe praying for us....and that I knew they would pray for her, too.

My heart is so heavy for Carolyn. As I was praying for her over the weekend, I was reminded of the verses from the song, "When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say, Blessed be the Name of the Lord!" The darkness, fear, and anxiety that cancer brings can be overwhelming. Please pray that God will lift that darkness and encourage Carolyn.

Love,
Beth

Cliff's update

Good Morning,
Today Cliff has his first chemo treatment. Please pray that he tolerates it well. We had great news this week. The doctor gave us the report of his most recent scan. He reported Cliff's tumor has already shrunk by about 10%.....and he has not even begun any treatment! We marvel at God's goodness, the power of prayer and the power of good nutrition. We are thankful for all the positive and encouraging words, cards, phone calls, emails and "business lunches." In this life we truly believe "Suffering is inevitable. Misery is an option." We choose to remain positive, hopeful and believing in God's healing power. We thank God for each of you!
Love,
Beth

Today we received results from some of Cliff's tests. His blood test came back well within normal range. His bone marrow biopsy proved to be negative with no signs of lymphoma. We continue to thank God for His amazing provision in the midst of this trial. We will receive results of the PET scan next week. Cliff looks great and has incredible energy. As we have heard from so many of you, we realize there are many others suffering out there with various difficulties. We want you to know that we are praying for each of you. Suffering is a part of life, but during times like this we are more acutely aware of it. CS Lewis wrote, "God whispers in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." Thanks for your continued prayers.
Love, Beth

Dear Friends,

Once again, we are touched and overwhelmed by your loving response to Cliff's diagnosis. Today we found out that his lymphoma is very treatable. Praise God! He has more testing this week and plans to begin chemo within the next two weeks. This has been a new journey for us and we thank you for supporting us with your prayers, emails and many tangible expressions of your love. We continue to rest in the arms of our Lord for we know, His "grace is sufficient for [us], for [His] power is made perfect in weakness." (II Corinthians 12:9)

Thank you for your continued prayers!
Love, Beth

Update - 1/6/08

Hi friends,

Thank you so much for your love and prayers. You're a HUGE blessing to us.

My dad's procedure went well today, without complications. The initial results from the biopsy show some kind of lymphoma. Beyond that, we won't have any more information until the test results come back in 3-4 days. We'll keep you posted.

This morning, I read from Isaiah. Chapter 41 talks a lot about our God's character. Vs. 28 and 29 say "He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable... He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might he increases strength." I'm so thankful this is the kind of God we serve.

Please keep praying.

Love,
Blake

Sunday, January 4, 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

We stand in awe at the incredible outpouring of love and prayers on Cliff's behalf over the past week. Just to update those of you new to our situation, Cliff has been diagnosed with a tumor in his chest. He is scheduled to have a biopsy on Tuesday, January 6th, to determine a more exact diagnosis. We appreciate your continued prayers and support. Our trust is in the Great Physician. He is Able!
A precious friend reminded me that the "waters" in life will come. That is, the difficulties we all face will come. The waters may rise, but they will not go over your nose.
"Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...Do not be afraid for I am with you." (Isaiah 43:1-3,5)

We'll keep you updated as we recieve more information on Tuesday. Thanks again, Beth