Week Ahead (Jan22-28)

This week's highlight: Wig shopping!

Yes, if you have any votes for new styles, let Mom know. Ryan voted curly, because he likes Sabrina's hair, but Sabrina veto-ed it.

We'll see.

Dad's praying for the hair cells to be protected from chemo, so that's a possibility, too.

From a natural-standpoint, the hair will most likely fall out after the 2nd treatment, which happens in 2 weeks, Thursday, Feb 2nd.

So, we're going shopping this week, to be prepared, and try some new hair-doos.

And I may want one, too.

Prayer points:

• Strong immune system this week. Doc said week 2 after treatment is the body's lowest point for fighting off germs. But big praise, we know Mom's white blood cell count shot way up this past Thurs, so that will help!
• Continued energy to teach Mom's one-on-one students at Heritage. She loves them. And they love her, even though she makes them work! :)

~Submitted by Ericka

Mid-Week Prayers

Prayer requests for Mom:

*Side effects of the drugs to lessen & stop

*For her body to be comforted, to persevere, and to overcome

1. Stomach pain

(Tues-Thurs)

Chemo attacks fast-dividing cells, which includes hair, mouth, stomach, and intestine cells. So if the digestive system's cells are "attacked" by the drugs, it can't digest food as well, and things back up, which is painful.

(Mom said, "I just want to remove my stomach.")

2. Achey-bones in her hips, knees, skull, teeth.

(From the white blood cell booster.)

3. For successful implanting of the port-cathetor today. (For her white blood cell count to be high enough to do the mini-surgery and fight possible infection. Her's was at 81 yesterday, and nurses want it at 90.)

4. For Mom to actively receive the prayers targeting & zapping cancer & pre-cancer cells.

(Insight received in prayer.)

Praises:

1. It snowed! (God makes us as white as snow.) It's so pretty & makes Mom happy. :)

2. After prayer, stomach is feeling better, but it needs to completely clear out.

3. Mom feels the prayers!

4. Encouraging healing testimony at Heritage chapel today, by Joy.

Truly "the Joy of the LORD is our strength."

Mom has a beautiful smile.

Love and blessings!

And thanks for taking time (even 30 sec) to pray for Mom's victory, thru God's mighty hand!

May the Lord encourage and strengthen each of your hearts, as we learn to abide and trust in Him.

Week Ahead (Jan15-21)

Here's what is coming up:

1. Wed - Blood drawn, prior to Thurs procedure. Pray the person drawing blood finds her vein quick & easy.

2. Thursday - small surgery, where Mom will get an internal "port-catheter" connected to her heart vein, that stays until chemo is over. This makes it easier for the chemo IV to get dripped directly into her larger/stronger heart vein rather than her skinnier hand veins that could collapse or get worn down after lots of hours of chemo. Thankfully, Mom got to see and feel the skin on two other ladies who also have ports, to get an idea what it will feel like. It's kind of where you'd put a lapel pin, but under the skin. They will poke a needle, connected to the chemo drip bag, directly into this port. Mom rubs a cream on her skin that numbs the area before the poke. But according to Mom, while she was a camp counselor, she and some buddies used ice and a big sewing needle to pierce their own ears, so I think she'll be fine.

Prayer points:

1. Achey bones/joints to be comforted.

2. Immune system strong and protection from germs/infection.

3. Prayers would target specific cancer and pre-cancer cells ~ and for Mom to actively receive those prayers.

4. For the full work of the Lord to be accomplished in and through Mom (and each of our lives).

5. For continued joy & hope of the Lord to be her complete strength.

~Posted by Ericka

Week Ahead (Jan 9 -15)

Here's what's coming up this week:

1. Mon - Blood-work (easy, after school)

2. Wed - minor prep procedure / chat w/ doctor

3. Thurs - Big meeting w/ Chemo doctor, Birhiray, at 8:45am

• He will have received all past tests, MRI's, blood-work
• Hopefully we'll have a clearer picture about what's going on in Mom's body and how to proceed
• Possible begin 6 hour chemo this day through IV

Prayer Requests:

1. Good meeting w/ Doc Birhiray, for his wisdom and direction

2. For the cancer cells to stop dividing, and come under the submission of Christ, who created Mom

3. For encouragement, balancing moving around her students when necessary, and being uplifted through all

4. For our hearts and lives to grow in faith and trust and love

Written by Ericka

[Please pray for clear wisdom and direction for me. My 2nd "semester" at IHOP's Intro internship (House of Prayer in KC, Missouri) starts this coming Friday. But I'm asking the Lord to direct my steps for this coming season (stay with Mom & Dad to help, or finish the internship, or). The Lord was really clear about me coming home for Christmas, and I'm thankful. It's been great to be here this week and I trust Him to lead well. Thanks for your prayers.]