This page contains the historical contents of Cindy's Update.  The entries are in chronological order.  Click on one of the dates below to jump directly to the entry on that particular day, or simply page down to view the entries as you wish.

The high dosage chemotherapy lasts 7 days, after which they will reinsert her stem cells via IV and the healing will begin. According to the doctors at the Markey Cancer Center, she will be in the hospital for some time. During this time, she will not be able to receive visitors who are ill, have colds of any type, etc. If you sneeze that week, don't bother to come as the floor nurses won't let you in. Clearly, we are thankful for this precaution as Cindy will have no means of fighting off even the slightest illness. No flowers, please, as they are not allowed in the clean rooms or at home during the first month or two.

The current schedule looks like Cindy will be out of the hospital and in a semi-quarantined home by the end of March. We have been told that the recovery period for this process varies greatly from patient to patient - from 4 months all the way up to a year. Clearly, the quarantine period will be much shorter, but until we get some idea how her blood levels are returning, we will simply not know.

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Second, we were told that upon comparison of the latest CT-scan taken Monday with the last one taken back in January shows significant regrowth and/or new growth of the lymphoma. This is clearly a troubling development in this situation. The current plan of action is to postpone the high dosage chemotherapy and stem cell transplant so that they can administer another round of 'intervention' chemotherapy. This will begin tomorrow morning and will last about a week, with recovery to last up to two more weeks. So, it looks like Cindy will go into the Markey Cancer Center tomorrow for a three week duration, to be followed up with a brief reprieve at home before the high dosage chemo and stem cell transplant. Dr. Phillips feels it necessary to attack this new growth with regimens of drugs that have proven to be effective in Cindy in the past. He intends to up the dosages significantly in an attempt to knock the stuff for a loop. His metaphors are sometimes off a bit, but he calls this intervention chemotherapy the same caliber as the elephant gun they're going to use for the stem cell transplant, but just not as powerful. We both know we don't understand any of this and we just want it over.

We're home as of this moment. Cindy wanted to come home to break the news to the boys and to psych herself up for this. She goes in at 11:00 tomorrow morning. Your prayers are desperately needed at this point in time. We continue to cling to the promises of God, no ifs, ands or buts. Please pray for strength and for Cindy's healing. Now, more than ever before, we so want to see the healing hand of God move on her behalf, yet it seems that around every corner lies some complication, some additional hurdle, some worsening of the conditions. We need a miracle. Pray for one.

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We are still awaiting the news regarding the condition of the bone marrow that was potentially contaminated this last week. We are trusting God that the bone marrow will not be contaminated and that all will go well. Please pray to this end.

Cindy is in room 315 at the Markey Cancer Center and is able to receive visitors that are above the ages of 12 and are healthy (no coughs, sneezes, runny noses, sore throats, etc). Please, do not send flowers of any kind (real or artificial) as they are not allowed on the floor. Cards and phone calls are fine.

We continue to ask for your prayers on her behalf. God is working a mighty work on her behalf; we see the evidence of it and are assured of this truth in prayer and in God's Word. Please continue to lift her name up to the Father and He will hear and answer all our prayers. Thank you all so much.

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The chemotherapy phase of this treatment is over and Cindy is now in the 'dealing with the side-effects' phase. Thus far, she has had only minor nausea that has been controlled with some medicines, and a slightly sore throat. She seems to be well ahead of the curve as far as the nasty side-effects of these powerful drugs, for which we thank God daily.

As of today, her blood levels are very low (virtually no white blood cell count, low red blood cell and platelet count) though she is not currently at transfusion levels quite yet. Since she has been in the hospital, she has received a total of 4 units of packed, irradiated red blood cells. It is presumed that she will need additional blood and/or platelets sometime during the next two weeks. Again, we continue to thank God for this as she is doing better than expected at this point.

Due to the extremely low blood levels and the potential for infections, Cindy is now confined to her room. Before, she was allowed to dawn a mask and walk the halls of the bone marrow transplant unit; now her exercise is limited to some treadmill time. Though 5 minutes of the treadmill can wind her for as much as an hour or more, Cindy continues to walk on the treadmill between 15 to 20 minutes daily in 5 minute increments. She's one tough bird.

Cindy's spirits remain high, though the process and the time involved in this ordeal are beginning to take a toll. In addition, some of the drugs they have her on have some subtle short term memory impacts and some emotional effects. Considering that some of the details of this ordeal would be best forgotten, perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. Overall, she is handling the entire process quite well. The visits of many friends and family have been precious to both of us and have helped beyond description.

Many of you reading this have been involved in the care and schooling of Ben and Eric, for which we are deeply indebted to each of you. Angie, Lisa, Debbie, Rose, Beth, and others I can't remember, thank you so very much for your kind acts of Christian love. Ben and Eric have had the wonderful opportunity to witness Christian love in action in your kindness; I am convinced your 'cups of water' will not go unnoticed.

Thank you for your many, many prayers on Cindy's behalf. I have had so many people run into me in banks, restaurants, gas stations, church, Wal-Mart, etc. that ask about Cindy and relate to me that they and their church are continuing to pray for her (some people and churches I don't even recognize). It was our desire that heaven be bombarded on her behalf, and it would appear that this is exactly what is happening. Be assured that, in the words of the old Andrae Crouch song, 'what you do for Jesus Christ is not in vain'. We are convinced that Cindy is continuing to do as well as she does because so many are praying for her in earnest. We also believe that this is why, in the end, she will walk away from this dreaded disease one day in the very near future.

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Now, before you all hop in your cars and head over to our house, I need to point something out. Cindy is in fact home, but she is still effectively a Markey Cancer Center patient; she just happens to be at home. What does this mean? This means that a)she will be in the hospital on a daily or every-other day basis for the next two weeks during the mornings and/or afternoons, and b)she is basically in a quarantined home. So, since we don't have quite the clean environment that we had at Markey, we must ask that you not come by to visit. Rest assured that the time for that will come very soon. Cindy's blood counts are so low that many of the counts don't even register (specifically her white blood count, which fights off infections). Time will bring these back up to normal. Feel free to call or email, but until we are given the all clear, we must ask for no visitors at this point.

Please understand that we praise God for this development inasmuch this home 'outpatient' deal was totally unexpected and is a direct result of the virtual lack of side-effects from the high dosage chemotherapy. The average patient is lucky to be holding their own at this point. Cindy is so far beyond this condition that the doctors marvel at her progress. Of course, we know why she is doing so well. After all, she has the Great Physician personally handling her case, and He works wonders. Let there be no doubt; God answers prayers!

Across the next week or two the doctors at Markey will be monitoring her condition and her recovery. She still has a way to go as far as her own system producing the necessary blood levels. And once her blood levels have recovered, she will still be undergoing the stem cell transplant, expected to take 3 weeks or so. So, there's plenty to still pray for, but there's so much to praise for too! Thank you for you continued prayers.

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This last weekend was Ben's very first TNT experience (Top Nazarene Talent). As he participated in vocal solo, oral interpretation, ping pong, basketball, prose and pencil drawing, friends followed Ben around with a video camera to capture on tape those precious memories that Cindy was unable to experience. I had Cindy listen on the cell phone when Ben was singing and speaking. Though not like being there, she was able to experience much of TNT '99 without all of the exhaustion. Our many thanks to our many friends that made this taping possible.

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Keep praying; it's what gets us all through the days. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that prayer is why Cindy has done so well thus far. It will take much prayer to get her through this 'home stretch'. We know that God is faithful and that He will see her through. In the words of Paul, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb 4:16, KJV)

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We urge you all to pray in earnest for Cindy as this last phase is supposed to be the roughest yet. The transplant levels of chemotherapy are in effect a fatal dosage of chemotherapy were it not for the stem cells that have previously been harvested. Thus, the effects are anticipated to be even more dramatic than previous treatments as well. However, we have seen what God can do with these side-effects and through prayer we believe He can do it again.

Cindy's already asking if she can go back to teaching in August... the doctor said yes. Cindy is always looking positively into the future. She's as ready to get things back to normal as the rest of us.

This last procedure should last between 2 to 4 weeks in the hospital. The doctors are telling us that it will be around 2 to 3 months until she is back to about 95% of her normal energy levels, 6 months or so to get back that last 5%. As before, though Cindy loves flowers (especially daisies), she won't be able to have flowers in the hospital, even silks. Someone asked me the other day about balloon bouquets; I think that would work just fine. We'll continue to post updates out here throughout the process to let you know how she's doing and to let you know which room she will be in.

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Tuesday evening also brought a late night trip to radiology for a last-minute CT-scan. The results of the CT-scan reveal dramatic shrinkage of the most recent tumor that had developed around her right collarbone, along with additional reduction of the other remaining tumor masses (except for the original large mass in her chest, which is for all intents and purposes, dead tissue). Thank God!

Wednesday morning brought what they loosely call 'breakfast', followed by a spinal tap to verify that the lymphoma had not made it into her spinal column. While in performing the spinal tap, they went ahead and injected several cc's of a specific type of chemotherapy into her spinal column as a precaution since the IV chemotherapy apparently doesn't make it into the spinal column. The results from the lab show no cancer in the spinal fluid, yet another reason to praise God for His goodness!

Wednesday afternoon began the heavy-duty chemotherapy. The protocol is referred to as BEAM, which is an acronym for BCNU, Etopiside, Ara-C and Mephalan, all of which I know very little (this is simply here to inform the medically astute). She has finished the BCNU and is now receiving Etopiside and Ara-C for the next several days. Monday she will receive the Mephalan and Tuesday she is scheduled to receive her stem cells, then it's time for healing and recovery.

We received news today that there is a patient on the floor that has a communicable disease, so they are testing all of the patients for this nasty little critter, for which they have yet another virtually unpronounceable name which I have forgotten. It is believed that this has been isolated and has not spread; in fact, they have no instances in recent memory where such a disease has spread among the patients. They are, however, extremely cautious and are testing all of the patients for this disease. Nothing is ever simple in that environment. Yet another matter to pray about.

Through it all, Cindy's spirits are high. She is feeling quite well in spite of the chemicals and procedures. She can still receive visitors, as long as they are healthy. One of the ladies at church last night jokingly asked if that included psychological health; good thing it doesn't as that would prevent many of us from visiting, me included - ha! Feel free to call at 323-0318 and talk to Cindy if you can't visit. Please continue to pray and rest assured that your myriad prayers are being heard and answered by a kind, merciful and loving Heavenly Father.

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It is now late and Cindy is asleep. This has been a very emotional day. Throughout the day we prayed, we cried, we spoke with others who prayed for her and cried with us both. A wonderful call to the Brooklyn Tabernacle put us in touch with a wonderful saint named Winefred (hope I spelled her name correctly) who absolutely bombarded heaven in prayer for us over the phone. It felt as if she had stepped away from the outskirts of heaven for a minute to take a phone call, then, with us on the phone, led us to the very throne of grace. We know that the Brooklyn Tabernacle has a tremendous prayer ministry - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - they pray in 8-hour shifts. If you call and ask them to pray for you they will put your name on their prayer list for the next 30 days. What a blessing to know that Winefred and others like her are praying for us right now, even as I type this update in the quiet darkness of this hospital room. Even more blessed is the fact that no matter where we are or what time it is, God hears and answers the prayers of the righteous. We are seeing the clear, uncontrovertible evidence of answered prayer in every procedure, every test, every day. He sustains us with His love, His mercy and grace lead us each time we can't see the way. Though we don't know the way, He does.

The doctors tell us that Cindy's blood levels are right where they should be at this point in time and that she is doing exceptionally well throughout this process. On the other hand, we found out that our oldest son, Ben, has a case of tonsillitis, running a fever and generally feeling lousy. As I have been here in the hospital nearly all the time since Sunday afternoon, I don't think I have been exposed. I don't seem to be displaying any symptoms, so we both hope that Ben developed this following the last time I was close to him so that I would have not carried any illness into the hospital to Cindy. So, we would both appreciate your prayers for Ben. I have to go home tomorrow and I don't want to chance carrying anything back to Cindy that would risk her health.

Thank you all for your prayers and concern. Let the healing begin! We both look forward to the day when we will be able to stand before you all and give the 'all clear' report. It won't be too long now.

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Sunday morning (Easter) came with little visible difference in Cindy early in the morning.  She was getting up for breakfast when Eric and I left for church.  The home health nurse was a bit late getting there - she forgot to set her clock forward - and when she checked her out Cindy was still OK.  An hour later, though, we knew something was wrong.  Cindy had become extremely lethargic and began to run a low fever.  She was becoming weak and wobbly on her legs.  Needless to say, we walked her out to the van and headed straight to the Markey Cancer Center.   By the time we made it to the hospital, she had become so weak that we brought her up to the BMT unit in a wheelchair.  Her temperature had climbed and her blood pressure was dropping.  When they checked her blood pressure while standing, it had dropped to 45 over 32.  In the course of a couple of hours, she had rapidly dehydrated and was very anemic.  She was becoming verbally non-responsive, she could not stay awake and her temperature was continuing to climb.  On top of all else (perhaps the reason for all else), she had hit nadir - her white blood count was under 100 and was effectively zero.  This was quickly becoming a nightmare.  Over the next 36 hours she received innumerous units of fluids, 5 units of red blood cells, 2 units of platelets and several doses of wide-spectrum antibiotics.  Her temperature fluctuated between 99 and 103 and is still rolling in that range today.  In spite of all the fluids and blood products, she is just today beginning to register what we can refer to as normal blood pressure levels - 115 over 68, which is in the normal range for her.

This has been the worst setback she has suffered over the last 12 months.  Cindy is still sleeping nearly all day - she only wakes up for 5 to 10 minutes at a time and that only 3 to 4 times per day.  She is finally beginning to recover from the dehydration as evidenced by the blood pressure raising and some slight weight gain overnight.  She is still so weak that she cannot walk to the bathroom.   She is growing stronger and she can now hold short conversations - for quite awhile she was non-responsive.  Her throat and esophagus have become so sore that they have put her on morphine for the pain in an attempt to make it possible for her to eat.   She can only tolerate the pain for brief periods of time and as a result she is eating almost nothing.  The temperature is still of concern.  They are searching for a cause via various cultures and chest x-rays, but thus far the results have not made it back from the lab.

These are times when I have to remind myself that God has promised us that Cindy will be healed and that God's timing is perfect and it usually doesn't correspond to our timing.  It is as if Satan can't resist throwing one last grenade even though he knows he's lost this war.  Some people may accuse me of 'spiritualizing' this too much; if anything, I believe we 'de-spiritualize' our lives far too much and far too often.  I know that Cindy represents a vibrant, living witness for Christ that He has and will continue to use for His glory and for the building of the kingdom of God.  With that in mind, it should not surprise us that Satan would not give her a pass, especially since she is almost done with this cancer.  We're approaching the time for celebration and it will happen - it will not be denied.

The doctors have also reminded us that Cindy will be better.   One told her yesterday that she "will be better; it just won't be tomorrow."  Please pray for us all; especially bombard heaven for Cindy.   This has been much like the proverbial rug being jerked out from underneath us - a harsh jolt into reality that could have had dire consequences.  But we know that God is good and that through it all she will be healed; no ifs, ands or buts.  We must patiently wait for God to act.  Knowing that He has already promised the outcome makes it easier as long as we keep our eyes and hearts on His promises.  Though we cannot count on anything else in this world (except death and taxes), we can count on Him to remain faithful.

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The recovery from this last weekend has not been nearly as rapid as the freefall that she took on Saturday evening/Sunday morning.  However, the incremental progress that she is making is bringing her back.  She is still weak and still sleeps at the drop of a hat.  She is no longer receiving blood products and her blood counts are beginning to show signs of improvement; slight improvements in her white blood cell count yesterday, though it is back down today.  She is no longer dehydrated.  The color of her face has returned somewhat.  The 'smile in her eyes' is back, which all of us can readily see.  This is the most encouraging sign yet.

Plain and simple, she scared all of us.  Thank goodness that we live as close to Markey as we do - about a 20 minute drive.  The staff here are so good; they knew exactly what to do and wasted no time bringing to bear the full resources of this facility upon Cindy's dire condition.  Though they are used to seeing this type of condition with their patients, it still rattles them to see someone return to their facility as Cindy did Sunday.  I spoke with two of the nurses yesterday and it was clear to me that they were as concerned regarding her condition up arrival as I had been.  They are also pleased with her progress this week and they are quick to point out that she still has several days of recovery before she is back to her old self.

The doctors seem to feel that she is about where they would expect her to be.  They didn't anticipate the setback she encountered, otherwise they would not have discharged her last week.  They said that about half of the patients they discharge early do not come back and that it is basically a roll of the dice as to whether a seemingly healthy patient will return to the hospital with some form of infection and fever.  So, though they too were concerned with Cindy's condition, they felt it was not out of the ordinary.  It is a normal side-effect of nadir, that point where all of the blood counts drop to virtually nothing.

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It seems that each step of progress brings yet another step backward in some way, shape or form.  This time is no exception.  As Cindy's appetite is returning and her ability to swallow, she has developed a low-grade fever and a bad case of diarrhea.  So, more fluids and more blood cultures looking for infections.  Cindy is beginning to become weary of the entire process; looking forward to the day when she can go home healthy helps.  A couple of surprise visits by Ben and Eric this weekend have also helped.  As this stay in the hospital begins its third week, Cindy is at times becoming discouraged and despondent because this is taking so long and that the steady progress seems so very slow.

The good news is that Cindy's white blood cell count has jumped over the past 24 hours, improving from 500 to 1100 (normal is several thousand), which indicates that the stem cell transplant is beginning to show evidence of taking hold and starting the process of developing her immune system.  She received another unit of platelets Saturday.  Her red blood cell count is sufficient enough so as to not require transfusions.  These are positive signs of improvement for which we thank God.  As time goes on, these numbers should begin to skyrocket if they behave as the doctors predict.  We can't wait...

Twice now in the past couple of days, the doctors have begun to hint at their desire to discharge Cindy.  Both times Cindy has indicated that she does not feel ready to go home, and I would definitely have to agree.  Even when she is finally discharged, Cindy will have to have regular IV fluids for several days to come, followed up with regular blood and blood pressure tests.  Daily or every other day trips to the Markey Cancer Center clinic will still be required.  Since this last episode following her early discharge following the stem cell transplant, neither of us are interested in hurrying the process at all.  Since she is still fighting a fever and low fluid levels, the current plan is to assess her condition around Wednesday the 21st with the hopes of being able to discharge her then.  We clearly must take these things one day at a time.  Until she is over the fevers and diarrhea and she is able to eat and drink sufficiently AND her strength returns, I don't want her home.  I'll pass on a repeat of Easter Sunday, thank you very much.

Please pray for Cindy's continued improvement.  Pray that these fevers will end and that she will quickly reach the point where she will be able to eat and drink sufficiently so as to not require the IV fluids and supplements.  Also continue to pray that her immune system will continue to grow and that her strength and stamina will return.  We serve a prayer answering God, one that hears and answers us.   If we pray specific prayers, He will answer us in specific ways.

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Cindy's stamina is definitely not back.  However, she is adventurous enough to make it difficult at times to keep her down.  Wednesday evening she attended a pitch-in dinner and Missions service at our church - it was an International Buffet.  She was worn out by the time we made it back home, but it was great for her to see some of our friends and to be able to be in church.  She can venture out of the house as she feels up to it, though she still doesn't have enough of an immune system for close contact i.e. hugs, handshakes, etc.  Her white blood cell count has climbed to 1700, so she is steadily improving and will soon be able to go wherever she wants, whenever she wants.  She spends time out on the deck enjoying the sunshine and walks out to see the emerging spring flowers on the side of the house.   The boys have rediscovered croquet, playing game after game in the afternoons.   They got her to play a game or two the other day.

It is so wonderful to have Cindy home.  Though her energy levels are still extremely low, I continue to remind her that she is now doing things this week that she simply couldn't have done even last week.  The absolutely wonderful part is that following this recovery there are no additional treatments pending.   Once she is back up, there is nothing left to anticipate, no additional treatments waiting to knock her back down.  THAT is wonderful.  Thank all of you for your faithfulness in prayer on her behalf as well as the many other acts of kindness you have done on our behalf.  We could never begin to repay the kindness you have shown us during this past year.

We thank God for the myriad prayers that have been offered up on her behalf and that have been answered.  We know that God doesn't do anything halfway, so we know that she will continue to improve and recover, so we plan on many more months of thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for His mercy and goodness to us.  His faithfulness is something we can count on in this uncertain world.  Praise His wonderful name!

We do ask that you continue to pray for Cindy's complete recovery.  The process is supposed to take as much as 2 months or more to get back 90% to 95% of her energy levels.  The last 5% to 10% can take up to a year or more to regain.  During the next several months, she will be at risk for infections and colds which could develop into pneumonia.  She will be on antibiotics for quite awhile as a preventative measure.  The trips to the clinic will continue, as will the blood tests, probably the occasional transfusion of red blood cells and/or platelets.  One day soon, this will all be over and we can thank God for a complete and total healing.   We can't wait!

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Cindy was able to go out to school today to visit her friends and co-workers - she was in her element.  At the end of the day she was worn out but happy.  It is so wonderful to see her returning to semi-normal activity.  She is quickly reaching the point where she can do whatever she wants to... she just can't do it for quite as long as we can.  So, she shops, she goes to church, she and her mom go driving around in search for yard sale bargains, etc.  When she goes home, she sits, she rests, she sleeps.  But day by day she has to rest a little bit less, she shops a little bit more, she visits at church with a few more people.  She has walked around the block, which is nearly a mile in our subdivision, with hills! 

Everywhere we go, people tell us how often they pray for Cindy and for how long they have been praying for her.  We can tell you all that this is exactly why she has endured these many months of this dreadful disease and the equally dreadful treatments so well.  In all and through all, we have seen the hand of God sustaining all of us.  We can certainly attest to His sustaining grace and mercy.   Thank you all for your faithfulness and your many acts of Christian love and kindness.

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Cindy received the one thing she's been so waiting for the other day - her doctor's release to return to work!  She has just finished her first week back to school.  Cindy is now teaching 18 second graders at Northern Elementary where she had previously taught kindergarten.  Though all of us still watch her closely for evidences of fatigue, Cindy is handling the rigors of teaching very well.  It is so wonderful to see her back doing what she loves... teaching children.  If I have ever known someone born to teach, it is Cindy.  You can see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice.  And now to know that following all of the horrors of the past year and a half she is able to return to her calling, it is wonderful!

At this point, Cindy's condition is excellent and there is little for us to do but watch, live and wait.  The next milestone is the 180 day mark, when the Markey Cancer Center will want to do another stem to stern CT-scan.   She will be taking weekend antibiotics until sometime in November.  She has but a few restrictions such as no gardening or anything of the likes (in an attempt to avoid fungal infections).  To be quite honest, no other restrictions come to mind at all.  Since we know the final outcome, we know that all will be well.  We're coming up on 5 months since the stem cell transplant on the 30th and it has been nothing short of miraculous to see what God has done on Cindy's behalf.  Knowing what He has done, we know that He will complete the work and keep His promises as He always has.   So, we don't look to the future as a precarious and treacherous thing; we know that God has held our hands through the valley of the shadow of death and He has led us through it.  What else do we have to concern us?  If God is for us, who can be against us?

I don't know how many of you have considered this, but we have witnessed a miracle direct from the hand of God.  Throughout my life's Christian experience I have always longed to see a miracle with my very own eyes.  I had read about Jesus healing the blind beggar, how the woman with the issue of blood was healed by simply touching the hem of Jesus' robe, how the lame were made to walk, the dead were raised, how God stopped the flow of the Jordan river for the children of Israel to walk over into the promised land on dry ground, how Moses led Israel through the Red Sea on dry land, how God stopped the sun in its place for Joshua, and so on, and so on.  I wanted to know that God still cared enough to intervene in His creation and exercise His authority and power in human affairs.  Well folks, I got my wish.  God did all those things and more!  Pondering what the doctors were doing to Cindy back a few months ago, it was made so clear to me that they were killing her (or nearly so), hoping to preserve her life at the last moment once the cancer was dead... all they could do was kill; only God could restore life!  All they were able to do was bring the death of portions of the body; only God could heal!  Don't get me wrong; I believe that God worked closely with the doctors and nurses to bring about a total and complete healing.   I don't know why God chooses in one case to heal with little more than a prayer or an anointing (and He does), in another case He heals through the gifts of wisdom and talent He has bestowed upon doctors, nurses, surgeons, and a myriad of others (and He does).  The one case I have a hard time with is when God chooses not to heal.   Irregardless, God often heals and when He heals, He heals whom He chooses as He chooses.  But who can know the mind of God?  Who are we to question His will?   Many times, Cindy and I have discussed this topic and we have both concluded that some day we will know the answer to the question "Why?", but on that day it won't matter; in fact we may well forget to even ask.  In the meantime, we know beyond any doubt that God is so very good and that He does still intercede in human affairs, for He loves us with a love that is utterly indescribable. With Jesus as our advocate before the Father, nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from God's love!

Cindy and I want to thank each and every one of you for your faithful prayer and fasting on our behalf.  Countless numbers of people have been on their knees before God, pleading the blood of Jesus for us.  I can tell you all that we could sense your prayers and that we could see the evidences of your prayers.  All of the food, the cards, the days when you took care of our boys, the hugs, the tears... all are a precious gift to us that we cannot begin to thank you for nor adequately recognize you for; they are a precious outpouring of God's love upon us through you.   May God richly bless each of you for your faithfulness to Him on our behalf.

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Cindy has undergone some basic tests to monitor her condition; CT-scans and some blood tests.  Thus far all is looking very good.  It appears that the cancer is gone and that the effects of the stem cell transplant have been totally successful.  We have both begun a diet and exercise program in an attempt to get us both back in shape and to speed up her healing and energy recovery.  Cindy's goal to be able to walk three miles in one day was reached on October 31^st.   Considering that back in April and May she was virtually unable to walk herself to the bathroom, this is a tremendous achievement!

Cindy will be undergoing another CT-scan this month - this will be a regular event for the next several years as we understand.  Her current condition leads us to believe that this one will be just as negative as the last, meaning that the cancer is gone, gone, gone!  When God heals, he doesn't do a half-way job!

We can't begin to thank all of you enough for your constant prayers and support over the past two years.  It is because of your faithfulness in prayer and the ultimate faithfulness of God in answering prayer that we can celebrate Cindy's good health and her healing from this terrible disease.  It is our firm belief that God will richly bless each of you for your faithfulness and countless acts of Christian kindness and love.

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Last updated Wednesday, August 31, 2005 09:41:57 PM