Persevere to Victory

Victory is defined as a success or triumph over an enemy in battle or war; a success or superior position achieved against any opponent, opposition, or difficulty. 1 John 5:4-5 says, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

We are so grateful and blessed to share glad news of Rick's most recent visit with Dr. Mahmood.

As you may know, for a week (since last Wed. and progressive) Rick has suffered much pain in his shoulders and back. He also began feeling totally exhausted, which turned out to be a direct relation to extremely high white blood cell count- 92,000! This was craziness to us and seemed to be to the nurses as well- we left the office with some concern and anticipating a call back from the nurse who told us she would reach Dr. M. and fill him in. OK, good.. "you call your doctor, and I'll call mine." Speed text: "Prayer Warriors". Within minutes of our prayers going up, we received a call from the nurse. A confident Dr. M assured the nurse "he was not concerned"..Thank You GOD! Yes, you bet this took the edge off our mental strain (temporarily) but, sadly, Rick continued to endure increasing bone and muscle pain throughout last weekend that personally stirred me into a deep concern of questions and heartbreak. Watching Rick suffer made me beg God harder to heal him, to comfort him. I began searching the internet about high WBC, etc... BIG MISTAKE!! Can you say "consumed"? (Note to self: easiest way to get crushed by a tidal wave- dive into a dark unknown ocean in search of a decoy.)
By Sunday I had exhausted my anxiety and returned to peace- "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Rick too, was graciously blessed with pain med to alleviate the relentless knaw in his back. On Tuesday morning we met with Dr. M. WBC still real high! 84,000...
However, the lymphocytes (cancer cells now just 5.5% from 76%) have dropped considerably! Doc had concluded that when Rick received the Neulasta shot to boost production of healthy new white cells in bone marrow, they did just that....they just never stopped....they kept going. Back/shoulder pain=growing pains?..kinda. His immune system now at peek level he was taken off all antibiotics and addt'l HBP med. VICTORY!

We rejoice in victory that GOD is working even when we might not always feel Him near us.
He promises never to leave us nor forsake us, that He goes before us and protects us with His mighty right hand. There are times when He does lead us to cliffs of dangerous rapids, only to reveal to us a majestic view of vast beauty, and peaceful awe.


Thank you friends, thank you family, brothers & sisters in CHRIST, for your constant in our lives through this journey. Most of all, thank You, Jesus.

We rejoice in advance for all that GOD will continue to do.

Please keep Rick in prayer for his upcoming inpatient chemo starting Tues. July 6th. Our hearts are eternally grateful.

Life & peace~
Dana





Lord of all creation, He looks down from His throne upon me,
In my distress over sorrowful distracts, burdensome borrows, and afflicted unrest.
My flesh cries for worldly clarity, a beggar's regurgitated, temporary resolve,
But, You, O GOD, are no human partaker in such offerings, I faintly seek to atone.
Have I briefly excused my precious Lord, the Sovereign Christ, that liveth in me?;

His eyes a steady current of compassion,
His out stretched arms a shield of strength abound,
His heart a torrent of manifest love-

Streaming,
Pouring,
Flooding...

I am, in this moment, made still;

I am, by His grace,
Undone.

-dL