A natural-friendly MD Nan now sees in Lakeland advised from the get-go that she have a full-body PET scan. I remember them well from my own cancer journey back in ’05. This will give us a baseline from which we can determine how things progress over the course of treatment.
She had the scan this past Tuesday. Her OB/GYN called us in to review the findings just this very morning. I wish I could post a more encouraging report. The results showed that my beloved lost ground over the last few months. The disease definitely has spread. Nan asked me to divulge no greater specifics than these given the sensitive nature of anyone’s health history.
What does this mean now that we’ve got a clearer picture of her condition? Beyond one move for certain, we don’t know just yet what the Lord would have her do. I respect my wife for the patient processor that she is. She will definitely talk with the Lakeland doctor today for his input. The additional move for certain involves her getting a medical oncologist on the team. Her OB/GYN enthusiastically consented to my suggestion that she refer Nan to the medical oncologist who cared for me way back when. The personal relationship we have with Dr. G will serve things well in terms of helping Nan weigh her options. Once a direction comes into focus I will post further updates as necessary.
How are we doing? Good question. I think Nancy is sorting that out for herself; I feel a bit numb at this point. Of course we continue to covet the prayers of God’s people for His purposes to carry the day at every turn on this roller coaster ride. The emotions ride higher than usual in January as it brings each year another anniversary of our son’s death back in 2014. These latest developments challenge the emotions all the more. Through it all I keep asking the Lord to anchor us in a Job-like grip on reality. Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked shall I return (Job 1:21a). Mike Mason captured it well:
Job knew one of the great secrets of faith: the believer in God has no worldly rights. The true believer is someone who has abdicated all rights, freely accepting the status of a slave and no longer laying claim to any earthly chattel, whether it be “houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields” (Matt. 19:29). These are precisely the sort of things that Job has just lost, and yet his initial response to their loss is not bitter complaint, nor even mere acquiescence, but adoration (The Gospel According to Job, Crossway, 37).
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
curtheffelfinger.com 
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Praying for you both Curt. God’s mercy and grace to you brother.
Thanks, friend.
When words fail, often music can help. This for you, brother. Our prayers will continue
“Praise You In This Storm” By Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
[Chorus:]
And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
[Chorus]
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
Great tune, Jeff. Thanks so much!
Words seem so inadequate when the heart aches so deeply. Know that you are both loved more than words can say. May our one and only Comforter hold you both close. Continuously praying…
Thanks so very much, Sunday!
Curt, when our son Travis was about 5 years old and on a slew (8-10) of medications we were introduced to Nancy through my niece Christie. We fell in love with Nancy right away and believe she loved Travis at first sight as well. We spent every morning for 5 mornings with her. By the end of the week after therapy with Nancy, to our delight and amazement, Travis was only on one seizure medicine. What we saw was a woman with intense faith in God, praying and hearing God’s words to set our sweet boy on a different health path. We feel more than blessed I can tell you to have encountered her and been taught by her on many levels. We have been and will continue to pray for God’s complete healing and strength for both of you. Please tell her hello for Travis and his parents! We’re sending big LOVE and big PRAYERS!
Wayne, Donna & Travis
By the way…we did visit with Mickey Mouse while in town. 🙂
Oh my, this is so very encouraging. I have forwarded it to Nancy. Thanks so much for going out of your way to leave such a wonderful comment!