Dear All,
This is Karen signing in, with an update on the past few days. First, Roger and I want to thank every one of you for your prayers, blog comments, e-mails and hugs. You are a very real part of God's blessing toward us during this time.
These last several months have been challenging, and, yes, difficult, on many levels, both medical and spiritual; but there has been a true "good"-ness to this time. It is difficult but deeply good to experience God's soul-searching, wrenching, purifying work in our hearts. Step by halting step we ask Him to help us to trust Him as He roots our faith and hope more fully in Him alone. We are thankful that our Lord does not settle for superficial faith in those He loves, but instead--holding tightly every hand-- leads with such care along the path that is "further up and further in."
As Andrew reported last week, Roger began radiation therapy immediately upon being discharged from HUP. He has received five treatments thus far, and will be finished by next Wednesday. We are encouraged that the pain in his back is lessening, and so far, side effects from the radiation have not been extreme. Of course, we are only half-way through and side effects are cumulative, so please continue to pray that the radiation will not adversely affect the spinal cord and that Roger will continue to tolerate the radiation well.
Next week is our appointment with Dr. Stadtmauer to decide on the next phase of systemic treatment of the cancer. We thank the Lord for this dedicated oncologist who for the past 6 1/2 years has used his skill and expertise to fight Roger's myeloma. We pray often for him, not just in relation to Roger's treatment, but also that God would bless his life in every way. As a matter of fact, through our experience and that of many others, many health professionals are daily lifted before God's throne in prayer--who knows what the Lord will do in their lives as a result?
May the Lord bless you and those you love greatly today. Thank you again for your prayers for us.