This week has been rough on Rex. We were expecting for him to be in the hospital this week. It was nice to have a break from chemo; at the same time, the reason for the break is due to his low blood count which means he is weak. Also, this week his esophagus has been really tender making it harder for him to eat and drink. Rex has lost another five pounds. He has eaten something everyday, but it burns and hurts to do so. Imagine having an open sore or wound and taking a brush across the open wound, that is how Rex described it. He is determined to eat though.
This is such a learning experience for us. We don't know quite what questions to ask, what to expect as we start through this. For example, we now know to make sure that we know what his blood count is before he takes his chemo from now on. We now know what to expect when his blood count does get low. We were told that Rex would bottom out 7-14 days after the chemo drip, but when he bottomed out that very weekend, we thought that that was it. We weren't prepared for another bottom with his low blood count. We were informed a little, but what do you really mean with "bottom out" -- now we know.
He seems much stronger this morning than previously this week. He ate a good breakfast with not near as much pain. It is probably sheer determination more than anything that gets him through that. His energy level looks much better today; I can see it in his eyes; I can tell by how much he converses. When Rex is in pain or at a low point, he says very little.
When I go by a few days without emailing, sometimes, it's because Rex is at a low and I haven't even had time to get on the computer. Sometimes, it's because we are doing great, and I haven't taken time to get on the computer. I covet your prayers for us, and I want to keep you updated because it helps you to know how to pray, and we certainly reap benefits from your prayers.
I would like to take some time today and tell you some answers to prayer that we have seen since this has started:
In the beginning, we were told that he had a large mass in his esophagus and that he would have to live primarily on Boost and he would probably have to have his esophagus expanded every couple of weeks just so he could swalllow. Praise: Rex has overall eaten better in the last six weeks than he did the prior three months to finding this mass. He hasn't had to have his esophagus expanded at all since the initial diagnosis.
In the beginning, Rex was given some strong pain medication to take during this time. Praise: He hasn't taken anything other than ibuprofen.
In the beginning, we were told that a feeding tube could be likely. Praise: So far, eating is good even if painful at times. The pain is associated with the rawness of the esophagus from the radiation, not from not being able to get food down.
We were told that about all of these side effects that were likely to exhibit themselves through this chemo. Praise: He really hasn't had any to specifically name. He hasn't even lost his hair yet.
We prayed for guidance through this process, and wisdom about Rex' treatment plan. Praise: Everything that we have consulted so far with conventional treatment has been consistent. God is also opening doors for some nutritional treatment for Rex' health.
We weren't sure how Rex was going to fare with him being the employee carrying the insurance. Praise: God is taking care of that with caring co-workers and compassion with the Human Resources department to do what is available for Rex.
We weren't tremendously concerned with paying our bills, yet they do exist and with Rex' not working, income is diminished. Praise: Without even asking, God has continued to meet those needs through various individuals who have been obedient as God leads them. We have received groceries, meals, and money that have met those needs as they have come about.
We wanted and continue to want this experience to glorify God and bring people closer to Him. Praise: I believe that God is doing that from the feedback that we are getting. I can't wait to share more about this someday.
I have wanted God to use me in a way that my mind could have never conceived or imagined. Praise: With tears in my eyes, I can't help but think that He will do that. I am so humbled that God has taken my earnest prayer and is using it beyond what I ever ever thought possible in my life. I don't know where or how far He is going to take this, but I pray that it will always be about Him, and that it will bring glory to Almighty God!
There are people, loved ones and strangers, that are going through some pretty hard times. They are hurting inside; they don't think that they can endure another day of pain and hurt, whether it be physical, emotional, and/or spiritual. They can't even look at the wounds; it hurts too bad. Please look to Jesus for your healing. If you seek it, and want it, He will hear your cry and answer. It may require some even harder days to face it and be obedient, but wouldn't you rather face a few more hard days of pain and have it heal than to just cover it and allow it to fester on? Please allow God to heal you and your family. God can take that wound, that enemy, and heal it, remove it, and transform your life into something supernaturally marvelous. Our enemy right now is cancer. We are holding on, grasping on to the hem of Jesus' garment and pleading for his mercy and healing. What is the wound in your life? What form has the enemy in your life taken? Is it some trauma from your past? Is it some illness? Is it anger? Is it bitterness? Is it your tongue? Is it a habit? Is is your job? Is it pride? Really, that enemy is anything that stands between you and God.
II Samuel 22:32 -51 32 "For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? 33 God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. 35 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 36 "You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great. 37 You enlarged my path under me; So my feet did not slip. 38 "I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. 39 And I have destroyed them and wounded them, So that they could not rise; They have fallen under my feet. 40 For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose against me. 41 You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me. 42 They looked, but there was none to save; Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them. 43 Then I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth; I trod them like dirt in the streets, And I spread them out. 44 "You have also delivered me from the strivings of my people; You have kept me as the head of the nations. A people I have not known shall serve me. 45 The foreigners submit to me; As soon as they hear, they obey me. 46 The foreigners fade away, And come frightened from their hideouts. 47 "The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation! 48 It is God who avenges me, And subdues the peoples under me; 49 He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. 50 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name. 51 "He is the tower of salvation to His king, And shows mercy to His anointed, To David and his descendants forevermore."
The whole chapter of II Samuel 22 is great! It shows God's power and might and love for us. I admonish you to read all of it and meditate on it.
There are people, loved ones and strangers alike, that are reading these updates regularly that don't know the peace of God, that don't understand what I talk about, that don't have the hope of Jesus Christ in their life, that can't lay their head down on their pillow at night knowing that they are eternally safe in the arms of Jesus -- it is for these people that I earnestly pray when I do these updates. Please don't wait until it is too late. That tug at your heart is none other than the tug of Jesus wanting to make you whole. Why do you wait? Why do you put if off? Do you think that if we knew the exact remedy for Rex' cancer that we would wait or put it off for another day? Absolutely not! So, why are you waiting for the cure to fill the void in your soul? Don't wait. Please don't wait.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords wants to meet you right where you are!
God bless you!
Thank God for this beautiful day!
Donna Meadows
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