"Peace still remains"

Dear family & friends,

Rick is home now. His third round completed (part A of second cycle). He started strong, entering the hospital last Tuesday morning. The nurses were amazed and questioning as to what he was doing back...he's looking darn good! Wednesday and Thursday continued to be a piece of cake. He felt no effects of the chemo, ate very well (special deliveries of Mexican food and pizza, burgers, cupcakes & homemade soup) and slept just as well; other than the occasional middle-of-the-night "I need to check your vitals" wake-up drills. Then the dreaded reminiscence of treatment settled in. As Friday unfolded, so did the heavy cloud of restlessness and nausea. Medicine kicking in real good....this hovered consistently through the weekend. Rick was more than ready and grateful to be released Sunday. We had his bags packed pretty much at the crack of dawn.

As hard as it is during these low points when not even water sounds palatable at times, and when I see Rick's eyes and I know he is going through something I just can't even begin to understand; I never lose hope- peace still remains. It is a beautiful thing to me, something else I don't quite understand and can't fully explain- although we fight this battle, outwardly and inwardly, and Rick far more than I, it is a beautiful rest in knowing that it is Christ that goes before us. He truly has victory over it all. And so do we.(Deut. 4:20)

So we begin a new week. Recuperation at home. Home sweet home.
Rick has been catching up on lost sleep and giving into the fatigue most of the day. His energy and appetite are low. The first days at home after treatment are always the hardest. However, we are thankful; it's not as bad as it's said to be.

Please pray for Rick's strength and appetite to be restored. Pray for his blood counts to continue to show favorable signs of remission and complete healing. Tomorrow he is scheduled for Neulasta shot to boost WBC/immune system & protection against infections. Please also pray Rick will be tolerant of the bone & joint pain, all by God's grace & mighty power, all by God's perfect will, timing and to His Awesome Glory. "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;" Phil. 4:13, Col. 1:11.

We are blessed beyond words by our loving daughters who continue to rise to the occasion to make everything so joyful and easier on me and sweet for Rick; as well as Mia and Mimi who are never short on TLC.

Once again, we cannot thank you enough, also, for your prayers and love. We know God hears and answers. He is good.

We look forward to His refreshing.

Life & peace in Christ,
Dana