Dear friends & family,
The past week has been a walk in the park, a groaning in the desert and a glorious view from the mountain tops.
Rick received a WBC last Thursday of a monumental 124,000! CRAZY!! What's even more mind-blowing is the fact that he had no bone pain. This is grace! GOD'S grace! Rick shared with me that the LORD had spoken to him about the painkillers he was using off and on for pain. ("Stop taking them. You don't need them; they are not good for you.") Rick stopped taking his painkillers 4 days before he was told his count was through the roof! NO PAIN?! Huh? The LORD is the keeper of promises. Praise GOD!!
With a WBC of 100,000+ Rick was more than protected against germ and infection to go to Kyra's dance recital with the family and friends Thursday night without a mask. He was happy. We were just stoked he was there! It was awesome! Danny & Heidi came by Friday night bearing gift- GO NOTRE DAME! Awesome fellowship. On Saturday, Rick and I took a walk in the park with Lola while Skyler & Kyra were away in Palm Springs at a church Summer Retreat for the weekend--much needed for them. Saturday night we caught up with the other Lange fam and Rick's parents for dinner, lots of laughs, and Rick and I did a little shopping afterward. We were blessed to spend Sunday morning at church together--the first in a month and went out for lunch too. The girls arrived home around 1pm and we spent hours catching up. My mom came over, with meals in tote-YUM- for next days. Rick continued to feel well and Monday's schedule afforded the 4 of us to go to the movies and out to lunch. By far, these days have been the most normal for us in a long time! A GIFT! A cherished gift.
I hope you know how much it means to Rick, the girls and me that you continue to stay close as we travel this journey that has been set before us. Forgive me/us if I don't respond to every email or phone message. At times it seems I am living someone else's life; as though I'm watching from a distance. Fewer days it's as though I imagine myself holding on to whatever will anchor me in my cyclonic angst. However, most days I am filled with an incredible peace and joy that continues to grow deeper within not only with every blessing and miracle from God but, through each pain and difficulty too. God truly is my refuge and my strength--my ever present help in all times of need.
I know it certainly has been a battle for Rick thus far; not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually too. Rick knows this season of great physical trial is truly GOD'S refining of his spirit. I can't even fathom his position but, I am so grateful for his relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His comfort compels us to rest in the unknowing, drawing us in when we drift away and commands our hearts to persevere. Press on.
As we journey through this cancer valley we are shown there are many peaks and mountain tops along the way. I pray you can see them too. Although the stretch of the alien desert has been hard to cross-- we cross, and we endure. All by the Lord's immeasurable grace. His gifts are overflowing at the top and even set before us below in the dry places. There are streams in the desert.
I live out this trial side by side, face to face, hearts entwined- Rick, Skyler, Kyra, Jesus and me, and we are constantly overwhelmed by the blessed gifts of knowing your love- your support. We are greatly humbled. Many of you have commented on the power of prayer as this has shown to be the most significant impact in Rick's positive results and unexplained miracles- our peace, our joy, our vulnerability to walk by faith and not be sight, without question, can not be manufactured. All glory to GOD! For this, we cannot thank you enough! Prayers move! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
"For He has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned His back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas.
But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind." Ps. 26:24; 102:17; Jm. 1:6
I am brought to tears often over the fact that so many have and continue to fervently pray for and support my precious husband and our family. Thank you for believing with us. Thank you for loving us. We love you so much too. Please keep the love coming! It is everything. LOVE.
Life & peace in Christ,
Dana
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
"Thank You Everyone, Thank You God!"
I just came back from having my blood checked as there was a concern about my platelets being so low. The normal range is 150-450K and mine was 34k on Monday. I honestly went in today not knowing what to expect. My platelet count was 131K. Thank You Lord! Thank you for all those that prayed so diligently over the last few days for my numbers to go up. The Lord is so faithful! In addition, my white blood cell count was undetermined; I was told the machine couldn’t register or give the nurse a number. I said, "What does that mean?" She said that the number is probably too high. Now last time I had a Neulasta shot my WBC went from 1,200-94,000 which caused me an ton of pain due to the creation of cells in my bone marrow. Today, I have no pain as The Lord is relieving me of any effects. How awesome is that?!! The nurse couldn’t believe I wasn’t in "some" pain. They are sending my blood out to try and get a number of WBC. God Bless all of you and thank you so much for your prayers as I am living proof they are being answered. And as far as my blood pressure- this morning, it is back to normal.
Very, very blessed-
Rick
“I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens Me”
Philippians 4:13
Very, very blessed-
Rick
“I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens Me”
Philippians 4:13
"It is in our deepest suffering of torment and despair that we truly confess our grave need for the Savior. What explicit goodness of the Son to lead us, tenderly, without abandon, into the comforting arms of the Father. Behold, it is safe. It is pure. We are made new by the unequivocal person of Jesus Christ. By His blood we are saved daily. Thank You God."
-Dana Lange
-Dana Lange
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
"OUR DELIVERER"
Good morning dear friends & family~~
Thank you for your continued prayers, goodness, presence and encouragement! It is your love and care that affords us daily strength to persevere. God loves through people.
Although Rick is generally feeling pretty good lately, other than tired, his blood pressure continues to be on the high side. I have been encouraging him to walk now that it is cooler..since inactivity could be one of the causes. Thank you for praying. God is our great physician! He can correct this and command our body and cells to do whatever He wills. Praying for His favor upon Rick's entire body is greatly needed.
Tomorrow Rick has an appointment to get blood count checked again. His platelets are low. 150.0-450.0 is normal range. His was 34.0 on Monday. If it drops to 20.0 he will be given a platelet transfusion. Praying God will recover his blood levels and strength. Total healing from all cancer, all disease! GOD is Awesome! GOD is able! Please never cease in going to One saves; the One who created you and me, the whole world and Rick too! The One who Knows his every cell and organ and breaths the life into each of us daily. Thank You GOD! Thank You Jesus! He will fight for us!
With love and deep gratitude,
Dana
David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
He said:
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
from violent men you save me.
I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.
"The waves of death swirled about me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called to the LORD;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.
"The earth trembled and quaked,
the foundations of the heavens shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
Out of the brightness of his presence
bolts of lightning blazed forth.
The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot arrows and scattered the enemies ,
bolts of lightning and routed them.
The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at the rebuke of the LORD,
at the blast of breath from his nostrils.
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.
He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
"The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD;
I have not done evil by turning from my God.
All his laws are before me;
I have not turned away from his decrees.
I have been blameless before him
and have kept myself from sin.
The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to my cleanness in his sight.
"To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.
You save the humble,
but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
You are my lamp, O LORD;
the LORD turns my darkness into light.
With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
"As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the LORD ?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory;
you stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.
"I pursued my enemies and crushed them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
I crushed them completely, and they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
You armed me with strength for battle;
you made my adversaries bow at my feet.
You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
and I destroyed my foes.
They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
to the LORD, but he did not answer.
I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth;
I pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets.
"You have delivered me from the attacks of my people;
you have preserved me as the head of nations.
People I did not know are subject to me,
and foreigners come cringing to me;
as soon as they hear me, they obey me.
They all lose heart;
they come trembling from their strongholds.
"The LORD lives!
Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!
He is the God who avenges me,
who puts the nations under me,
who sets me free from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from violent men you rescued me.
Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name.
He gives his king great victories;
He shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,
to David and his descendants forever."
- 2 Samuel 22
Praise Christ Jesus, all who are called David's descendants!
Thank you for your continued prayers, goodness, presence and encouragement! It is your love and care that affords us daily strength to persevere. God loves through people.
Although Rick is generally feeling pretty good lately, other than tired, his blood pressure continues to be on the high side. I have been encouraging him to walk now that it is cooler..since inactivity could be one of the causes. Thank you for praying. God is our great physician! He can correct this and command our body and cells to do whatever He wills. Praying for His favor upon Rick's entire body is greatly needed.
Tomorrow Rick has an appointment to get blood count checked again. His platelets are low. 150.0-450.0 is normal range. His was 34.0 on Monday. If it drops to 20.0 he will be given a platelet transfusion. Praying God will recover his blood levels and strength. Total healing from all cancer, all disease! GOD is Awesome! GOD is able! Please never cease in going to One saves; the One who created you and me, the whole world and Rick too! The One who Knows his every cell and organ and breaths the life into each of us daily. Thank You GOD! Thank You Jesus! He will fight for us!
With love and deep gratitude,
Dana
David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
He said:
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
from violent men you save me.
I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.
"The waves of death swirled about me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called to the LORD;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.
"The earth trembled and quaked,
the foundations of the heavens shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
Out of the brightness of his presence
bolts of lightning blazed forth.
The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot arrows and scattered the enemies ,
bolts of lightning and routed them.
The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at the rebuke of the LORD,
at the blast of breath from his nostrils.
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.
He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
"The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD;
I have not done evil by turning from my God.
All his laws are before me;
I have not turned away from his decrees.
I have been blameless before him
and have kept myself from sin.
The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to my cleanness in his sight.
"To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.
You save the humble,
but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
You are my lamp, O LORD;
the LORD turns my darkness into light.
With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
"As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the LORD ?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory;
you stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.
"I pursued my enemies and crushed them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
I crushed them completely, and they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
You armed me with strength for battle;
you made my adversaries bow at my feet.
You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
and I destroyed my foes.
They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
to the LORD, but he did not answer.
I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth;
I pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets.
"You have delivered me from the attacks of my people;
you have preserved me as the head of nations.
People I did not know are subject to me,
and foreigners come cringing to me;
as soon as they hear me, they obey me.
They all lose heart;
they come trembling from their strongholds.
"The LORD lives!
Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!
He is the God who avenges me,
who puts the nations under me,
who sets me free from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from violent men you rescued me.
Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name.
He gives his king great victories;
He shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,
to David and his descendants forever."
- 2 Samuel 22
Praise Christ Jesus, all who are called David's descendants!
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