Praying for Jack

Welcome friends and family who are coming for medical and prayer updates on Jack. If you look to the right you will see information on how to keep informed and a prayer list. Please pray as God directs you. At the moment my comment software is not sending me email addresses with comments so if you would like a reply and I don't have your email address, the most direct way is to email me using the address at left or my personal email address if you have it.

First of all, thank you to all my blog readers who have expressed their concern, encouragement and prayers. This has definitely not been the best week or so, but in spite of the sadness, it has been amazing to see God working. They were not even thinking about stomach cancer when they looked. If they had just done the usual ulcer blood tests, they would not have known until the cancer had progressed. Praise God for this as early detection is beneficial in all types of cancer. We will know more after the consult on New Year's Eve.

Ruth and Jack are doing well. Naturally there are moments of grief, but they have felt literally buoyed by the prayers and love of friends and family. God has been guiding them through Scripture to be still and know. (Ps 46:10). They are weary but not crushed and broken. They are waiting on the Lord, seeking His faith and His strength. These are not just empty words - they truly are. Who better to lean on than the Great Physician. Ruth recently came across a great quote she had written in her Bible - Put your chair in the shadow of the cross and you will never have to move it. (Joni Erickson Tada)

Now for the update on Jack's condition.

1. The biopsy on Jack's thyroid nodule was unable to be done because the nodule goes under his collar bone. An ultrasound guided biopsy is scheduled for January 5, 2009. The praise is that this type of nodule is only cancer 5% of the time and even if it is, it grows slowly and is treatable. There is no big rush to take care of this.

2. December 31, 2008, Jack and Ruth will meet with the gastric oncology specialist at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle. After their consult with him, he will perform another endoscopy type test on Jack to get a better picture and idea, as well as seeing for himself before deciding on what type of surgery to have.

3. Jack had a great conversation with his primary doctor who was able to answer some questions and explain some of the testing. It appears that the cancer is in very early stages. We will know for certain after the consult, but that is a praise.

On December 12th, Jack and Ruth celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary! Congratulations. Mom also celebrated her birthday but it's not polite to share a lady's age! :o)

THANK YOU again to anyone who is praying! Faith does move mountains!