The Latest on Her Battle with Cancer
Yesterday, May 27, we admitted my bride to the hospital. Over the last week her physical distress rose alarmingly fast. Thankfully doctors quickly stabilized things. She is much more comfortable today.
This morning we learned the cause for her symptoms. The spread of disease now compromises some major organs. The weakness of her condition furthermore prohibits the possibility of any standard of care chemotherapy treatment.
Nan grasps the gravity of the situation. She has fought her fight with the courage of her personal convictions. She has done so without complaint. The joy of the Lord has been her strength and remains so (Neh. 8:10). She does not despair knowing what pleasures await at her Savior’s right hand (Psalm 16:11).
A hospice rep will meet with us tomorrow. Joel, our son, arrives tonight. He plans to join us for that appointment with the nurse. As soon as arrangements can be made, likely no more than a day or two, we will move Nancy to the comfort of our home.
Words cannot convey my unique privilege to serve both as Nan’s husband and pastor. We talked and wept together over the news earlier today. I reminded her (and myself) that God regards as “precious”–the Hebrew means significant, weighty, no small thing in His sight–the death of His saints (Psalm 116:15). Her times are in His hands. He will walk with her through the valley of the shadow; she fears no evil (Psalm 23:4).
Lately I’ve spent a fair amount of time meditating on Phil. 4:11-13. Paul writes from prison:
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
This turn of events brings me low–lower than my own cancer, a broken jaw, even the loss of our beloved Joshua, or any other hard providence we have faced. My schooling in the secret of contentment faces its biggest challenge. Though I expect the degree of difficulty to grow exponentially in the days ahead, I hope to bank everything on the massive promise of v. 13–I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Please pray for Nan’s comfort and care during this time. I want to love and serve her well at every turn. She’s pretty weak. I’m not certain at what point, if at all, she will desire visitors. We will just have to see how she does once we get her home. Many thanks.
Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing (2 Cor. 6:10), we press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).
curtheffelfinger.com 
Love you both and will lift you up. Steve H
You and Nancy are in my prayers.
Oh, Pastor Curt, our heart hurts with yours. Praying……..
Pastor Kurt
We are grieved at this news. Please take comfort knowing that even those who have never met you or Nancy are standing in the gap through prayer at this time and love you. May our gracious Lord continue to be with you and bring comfort in the days ahead.
Serving Him Together,
Our hearts and prayers are with you. May you experience His grace and comfort in the days ahead. Love, the Page family
God be with you and your wife and family as you take this journey. You will be drawn closer than ever before. It’s a journey that you’ll find peace and comfort and much sharing. God is faithful to His children. Praise His Holy Name.
Oh PC. My heart just sunk when I read this. I am so very sorry. We love you and Nancy dearly and are praying for you. Just so heartbroken for you.
You are no stranger to grief, dear sister. Thanks.
Praying, Curt.
Pastor Curt, we love you and Nancy and don’t have the right words. Our hearts are hurting with you.
Bless you and your family.
Curt,
Writing updates like this must be so very hard. My heart aches with yours and Nancy’s. If your experience is anything like mine, in desperate times God’s words of comfort and promise are almost palpable. It is as if the Holy Spirit takes in a deep breath and we are physically enveloped for a time in the Peace that transcends human understanding.
I pray for you and Nancy, that this will be your experience in growing measure.
You are in our hearts and prayers but more importantly, uniquely in the heart of Jesus.
Beverley
So very meaningful. Many thanks,
PC and Nancy,
Words seem trivial, but we want you to know that we, too, carry this weight in our hearts. You both particularly ministered to Tyler and me during our premarital counseling. The friendship, affection, and devotion displayed in your marriage continue to serve as an example to us. We treasure you.
Hardly trivial and so kind. Thanks so much.
We are saddened by the news of Nancy’s condition and reflect on the good times that she and Be had as accountable partners back in the early days of Vista. Nancy’s fun loving spirit and love for her Lord and her family are things so many people desire. She inspires many. Peace to all in your family as you navigate this difficult chapter. God bless you. The Schafhausers
Our prayers are with you and Nancy.
Curt, So, so sorry to hear the news but really, really rejoicing over your and Nancy’s faith. Please let me know if I can do anything at all. I feel so helpless. We love you SO much, Carolyn & Larry
“The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread.” Ps. 27:1
Thank you for sharing this difficult journey–with those who love you both–with so much transparency. I am so sorry that you are hurting.
What a precious, amazing woman your Nancy is! I will be praying for her comfort and for you, Curtis, as you love and serve her. What a beautiful honor for you.
Love,
Kim
Nancy and Curt our hearts hurt for you but we know that you are in God’s arms and He is caring for you. May you feel His presence ever so strongly and may all,of His love letters to us and scriptures you have hidden in your heart minister to you and give you peace. You are both greatly loved and thought of. Thank you for your ministry over the years. You have both made a difference in the lives of many and have been a faithful servant. Prayers are surrounding you and your family.
Very grateful for these words.
Pastor Curt & Nancy,
There are no adequate words. My heart broke when I read your latest update. We are crying with you in sadness, but are praying for your comfort, God’s healing, and peace. We love you both immensely, and your family bears immense importance to the Taylor family. You both have been life-changing influences and friends in our lives. We love you.
I am so aorry to hear the news. I know I haven’t been around for a long time, but you are both very special to me and I love you dearly. My heart just breaks for you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that God will give you peace and strength through all of this.
With tears all the way across the country, I am praying for Nancy and everyone that loves her dearly. I am positive she will make the most of her last days. Please tell her a BIG thank you for her amazing influence and teaching all the seminary wives (including me) how to be a supportive pastor’s wife! I will never forgot all that I’ve learned through her gift of hospitality and counseling. Give Nancy a hug from Jay and Debbie!
PC and Nancy,
Words do fail at this time, but I am grieving with you, even from a distance. I am thankful for how both of you have impacted my life. Even this week, I’ll use Nancy’s “No Jet Lag” to help while flying back. Praying for peace and comfort. I love you, Heffs!
Standing with you and Nancy. At your disposal for any needs.
Thanks for being such a servant, Wendy.
Pastor Curt, I am weeping over the news and all that your family has been going through.
My fervent prayers are with you, Nancy and all the family.
You and Nancy are beautiful examples of Christ to me and all who know you.
In Christ’s love,
Daria Monroe
Thanks so much.
My heart aches for your sorrow. Phil 4:11-13 is the passage, plus earlier in the chapter, that God has been impressing upon my heart for the last 2 months. Out of Paul’s intimate relationship with God, he possessed an absolute certainty of the strength that only God could give. Earlier in the chapter he writes how God’s peace will guard our hearts. Oh, Curt and Nancy, may you experience only the peace that only our eternal creator can give.
Bless you, faithful friend.
Pastor, I give you permission to be human during this time, and not our “perfect example”. We mourn with you and we weep with you and we are all here for you. Christ will be your strength through all of this.
Dear and precious Curt,
Seldom have I seen a man so beloved by his congregation. Your willingness to be open and honest is the struggles of life make you real to those who love you so. I do not know how deep a burden you are now carrying but I know it is a crushing load. Sadness and fear I think are cousins many times and the struggle seems to grieve and have sadness without opening up to fear. But I would have both were I in your place. Your example of how you wish to manage this is admirable….yet there is no man who could fault you for any human response. I have put off realizing that I am now plenty old enough to lose my friends and some are gone. I do not think there are any words to ease the blow but these three…I love you. I know that these words will be spoken from the heart of all who are close to you. And let us remember that the opportunity to meet Jesus is the most amazing thing one could ever imagine. Wow. The thought is one that brings chills and even a smile. To feel in person the most wonderful feeling of love ever felt is a day to be looks forward to with incredible excitement. Just imagine…actually hearing His voice and seeing His smile as he stretches out his arms for that first hug.
You are a good man and you will continue to be as this page unfolds. I know that God will be there all the way in special ways.
We just returned home tonight and read this sad news. Available for whatever you need. We love you both and grieve with you.
Thanks, young lady.
Mom and dad just told us. Curt and Nancy – we love you so and pray for you during this unbelievably difficult time. Words are inadequate. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Our prayers go out for you and your family. We are heartbroken but your faith and perseverence is inspiring and we are in awe of you for all you have overcome and walk through in life. We aspire to walk with the same faith during life’s troubles as you are. With love, Jennifer and Daniel Courson
Dear Curt and Nancy, Sorrow beyond words. We love you. May the Lord Most High sustain you in His victory and hope.
Friend, may you have sweet treasured moments in the process, forever carried in your heart…and supernatural peace amidst grief that would surpass your expectation.
Thanks, brother.
Dearest Curt and Nancy – thank you for serving the Lord so well all these many years ! Our great God has chose both of you as His instruments = of His Peace, His spirit, and His love to me, and to so many more. Thank you Nancy especially for your kindness, your ability to look past the weak and the obvious, and the willingness to comfort with sincerity and genuine love. You are cherished by Him, and will know such joy in just a little while. We will grieve, but you will sing ! Some sweet day we will all sing together in that beautiful place.
Until that day, love and peace to you, my friend. Chris Gregory
Thanks so much.
My dearest Curt,
My heart aches for you and your family. I loved Nancy from the “gitgo”, when we met at OCC in the 80’s. She was such a gracious and generous person, always thinking of others . She ministered to me on so many different levels and was always available. She’ll forever have a place in my heart.
May the Lord continue to comfort you, Curt, by holding you in His arms and telling you He’s holding her, too.
Love you, brother. 🙏❤️
Curt – I’m very sad to hear of Nancy passing but know she is in a better place with Josh, which brings great comfort. However pain is real and very difficult for loved ones left behind. Thinking of you and your family sending prayers.