New Year News

Dad has his three final radiation treatments this week, and a new dose of steroids. He is still dealing with a lot of pain and discomfort in his trunk and lower back, and has been feeling increased fatigue. He's starting to have difficulty with the stairs in the house again, which means his blood counts may be dropping. Those numbers also come in this week. Mom and Dad will be meeting with Dr. Stadtmauer mid-January to assess his situation and to formulate a new treatment strategy. Thanks for checking in, and for praying. Please pray especially that the radiation will significantly reduce the size of the tumors, and that the doctors will be able to find the right combination of measures to beat back the cancer once again. Pray that Dad will be able to sleep regularly at night and have relief from the pain that he's been facing for over a month now. Pray that he would be encouraged and that both he and Mom would be able to experience joy in and through this suffering.

In fact, the Christmas holiday at the Clarks was one of much joy and general goofiness, with many little grandchildren keeping things lively, and Mom and Dad and Erin and their helpers cooking up numerous culinary storms. It was so great to be home, and Dad was very much present throughout the week, and was in fact able to participate in the family festivities far more than last year, when his situation was becoming so dire. After such a difficult and uncertain year for Dad, this Christmas was a precious gift to all of us.