A weeks worth of news

Ok. I am way behind! Sorry. I took the weekend off. AND what a weekend it was. First off, on Friday Mike drove himself to the doctor's appointment in his car. I slept. This was a huge deal to me. I was still just so tired from the hospital stay and couldn't muster any more energy. That all nighter on Friday night in the ER did me in. I am just a person that needs sleep sometimes. Then, as Mike's stay in the hospital wore on, trying to make everything happen at home and the hospital makes for late nights and early mornings. So I was done and slept until 10:30 that day.


Mike's blood work is holding and he didn't have to go in over the weekend. We had some incredible "cancer amnesia" moments over the weekend. What is "cancer amnesia" you are wondering? That is a new phrase to describe when cancer is not dictating our every move.

We went to Good Friday services at FBC McKinney. We were able to take communion down front at the alter at the foot of the cross as a family. Mike was able to kneel down in prayer. I am hoping that you have a visual, because it is still such a powerful, God moment that it brings tears to my eyes.

We went to an incredible Passover Celebration at Evelyn's house on Saturday night. About 20 people attended and we went through the Passover Ritual. It added so much more depth to Easter - if that is truly possible. For Mike to be able to eat bitter herbs, communion and partake of the 4 cups (freedom, deliverance, redemption and thanksgiving) during Passover is a Easter miracle. The volume was turned up on everything we did. Probably a better example would be this. After living in Tucson for a while, we would get on a plane to go to Dallas. Everything was so green and vibrant. That is what Easter was for us - just vibrant, kicked up a notch, powerful.

We also were able to make it to church on Sunday and lift our hands in worship. Nothing can match that all out praise on Easter morning. He is Risen. No sweeter words - ok maybe I have been saved!

We ended the weekend with entire Lewis crew at Mimi's and Papa's. Great food, fellowship and egg hunts.

I don't want this ride to stop right now. We went to the Cancer Doctor on Monday for blood work and we don't have to go back until Thursday. We have 2 days in a row without a doctors appointment. Again, let me repeat - two days in a row without a doctors appointment!!!!!!!!!!!

Now we still have things going on - Mike is on IV antibiotics everyday. He is taking daptomycin for the staph infection. We have to go in every Mon and Thursday for blood work. We will be doing that until April 21. We are praying that this will take care of the staph and we can keep our port.

We have started a new treatment as far as the cancer battle goes. Mike is taking, Nexavar, twice a day. We will also be taking IV Avastin as soon as we can get approval from Tricare. Both these drugs are aimed at stopping the creation of new blood vessels and basically cut off the blood supply to the tumor, which by God's grace, will shrink the tumor. This is called angiogenses. We have to be careful though. They can also cause bleeding and other issues. We are also trying to get approval for another PET Scan to determine if the cancer is spreading in Mike's stomach or not. Again, we are waiting on Tricare. They may not approve it since the last one was done in January.

Our house is still on the market and we are praying for another offer that will at least be in the ballpark of the list price. We may have to consider renting it, if it doesn't sell by the summer. The problem with renting is that it will prevent us from buying a permanent home here. But maybe that is part of God's plan? Please continue to pray for our house to sell.

I want to ask one more thing of those willing to pray... Mike is gaining strength slowly and needs something other than fighting cancer in his life. We have been praying that God will reveal how we can serve or use this time. We both know that one week doesn't equate to remission, but Mike needs more to focus on than just cancer. His mind is definitely as sharp and intelligent as ever. Someday I will blog about Mike trying to tell me about the IV pole in the hospital and how it is a oscillating pendulum. Alright, I will be honest, I will have him blog about it. I just gave him that blank, deer in the head lights look that I always give him when he reveals his intelligence.

I will post more after the doctor's appointments on Thursday. I am just praising the Lord for the simple everyday blessings and trusting that He will take care of our tomorrows!!

Prayer needs:
Mike to continue to eat and drink more every day
God himself will hold Mike's esophagus open and that the cancer will not intrude
Our House in FL to sell at the right price and for His Glory
Mike's healing will be completely manifested
Financial Wisdom
Time management and wisdom in regards to future plans

Praise:
2 day reprieve from Doctors
Dr. Bo and his adjustments
Family and their financial help
Softball
For Elizabeth
Easter...The Cross... Jesus - where would we be right now in this walk without Him??