We Told Rachel - by Ane

It has been wonderful to see and be with Rachel. At the airport I went out first to see her and warmly welcome each other and I told her that someone was bringing my other bag. So when Mark walked up she was totally shocked and excited!

She had the afternoon off so we were alone in the house. After she got a chance to tell us all about the place, we decided it was time. We just told her that we had some sad news - dad has cancer. Of course she was heartbroken and cried, but after talking for an hour or so she talked about how being here has taught her so much about how all things are in the Lord's hands and it will be okay.

This morning we got up early and went with her to her favorite orphanage - with the handicapped children. We are so proud off her!!! She gets right in there feeding & playing with the kids. This has been a life changing experience for her. Mark was quite tired so we took a taxi back to the house. She is off this afternoon so we'll see the town.

BRAF mutation - by Ane

Mark & I are in the air heading to LAX on to Miami and arriving in Quito, Ecuador around 11:00 pm this evening.  Tomorrow we will fly from Quito to Cuenca where we will meet Rachel.  

The past week I’ve also thought about the scriptures of Hezekiah being given an extra 15 years.  I decided that I needed to ask for an extension of time for Mark.  I feel that there are some events and experiences that he needs to be a part of.  Rachel’s wedding is one (and there are no current plans!).  I also want us to have some delightful family vacations, as well as the opportunity to go on this trip to Israel. Last week I prayed diligently for an extension.  We went to the temple on Saturday. Throughout my time there I prayed for my desire and felt by the time we left that it would be granted.  

On Sunday, the 11^th, Eric & Tyler joined Mark as he gave me a blessing. One of the most exciting things to me was that I was told that Mark’s time would be extended!  That was a confirmation of what I had felt earlier.  I have been hanging onto the hope that he would have the BRAF mutation that would allow him to take Zelboraf which has been quite effective in shrinking tumors.

Before we left for the airport yesterday Dr. Urba called with the exciting news that Mark does indeed have the BRAF mutation!!! 

Brain & Heart MRI - by Mark

Last night we did the MRI.  For someone that is somewhat claustrophobic I would not recommend it.  Nevertheless, with the aid of some Vicodin and a bit of self-talk and prayer I made it through.  Most of the time it was quite comfortable with closed eyes and peaceful thoughts. About three quarters of the way through the heart scan which took about an hour and a half my arms were hurting.  I had put them over my head thinking it might help with the claustrophobia but they were not used to that position and were starting to hurt which lead to claustrophobic thoughts because I could not move them to stop the hurt. I was trapped. I mentioned it to the tech but he was of the mode to just keep going and encourage me more.  Just at that time they were putting in the contrast through the intravenous connection and it seemed to them to not be working right so they pulled me out, checked the IV and all was fine. Yeah! I got to put my aching arms down and felt much much better!  Another tender mercy of the Lord!  They were moving fast through the last part but I was very peaceful and comfortable with my arms by my side even though I was tightly squished in the tube with the top of the tube only a few inches from my eyes.  How thankful I am to Father for the help and peace!!

Today my Doctor called with news that the tumor in the heart was not blocking the flow of blood but was slightly effecting one of the valves so that there was a bit of backwash but not too much.

My brain is cancer free!!  Yahoo. Maybe ‘cause there is not much up there to grow in:-))

It still feels surreal.  Like we are in someone else’s life or somewhere else and we should wake up sometime soon.  This is not what I have been thinking of or wanting for my life.  I know Father knows best and I love him and trust him.

 
 Waiting for the MRI - cute outfit, huh?

"Be not afraid" - by Ane

This past Tuesday or Wednesday I asked for a scripture for the day and just opened my Old Testament to 2 Kings 19:6 which is the verse I had highlighted the day we heard about the tumor in the heart. “Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard,” Again it was comforting to feel that while this is certainly a challenge we don’t need to fear.  I know it’s all in the Lord’s hands and I trust Him.  This week we have both felt so much peace.  We continue to follow the Gerson Diet as much as possible.

Right now we’re just waiting for test results before we can make any decisions regarding therapies to use.  I do think his brain will be clear.  I’ve certainly been praying for that.  I wanted another scripture to give me comfort today and I turned to this, “…for I will go before your face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”