Waiting

On Tuesday, October 4, I saw my endocrinologist. During his exam he found that my thyroid was enlarged. After confirming that I had never been told that I had this enlargement he decided to check it with an ultrasound.

The following Tuesday I had the ultrasound. What follows is how the events played out.

October 14,

Susan's Endocrinologist called her today. The results of her ultrasound were a 1.6-cm nodule on her Thyroid Gland. Now they want to perform a biopsy to determine whether it is malignant or benign.

If you would pray

(1) for Susan to have peace about this,
(2) that the doctor would be able to perform this biopsy with as little pain as is possible,
(3) that the Doctor would have wisdom in what to do going forward, and
(4) that if this is a malignant mass, the Doctor would be able to treat it effectively.

Thanks!
David


Susan had a Thyroid Biopsy on Monday, October 24, to check a 1.67-cm nodule that was found on the left side of her Thyroid. Usually they can get enough cells from 2 needle sticks to determine whether there was any malignancy in the nodule.

They had to stick Susan 4 times just to get enough cells to tell…NOTHING. The first two needle sticks (and they don't just stick you: They move the needle around!) got nothing but blood. The third stick they got "blood and collagen." On the fourth needle stick, they got too few cells to be conclusive.

We found out yesterday, that the few cells they got on the fourth needle stick were "inconclusive." But, Susan's Endocrinologist, told us that actually that is a very good sign. Apparently, picking up a lot of cells immediately is usually a sign of cancer. So based on the report, there is nothing to worry about.

They will perform another sonogram in about 8 months (June 2012) to see if this nodule has grown any. According to Dr. Holt, between 40 - 60% of women will have nodules on their Thyroid glands by age 60 (Susan is 47).

So, thanks be to our merciful Heavenly Father, Maker and Creator for allowing Susan's health to continue to be normal, for allowing us (my family, especially Sarah) to remain calm through this ordeal, and for increasing our faith through this trial.

Thank you for your prayers,
David



To all of David's friends who prayed for me.

I am in tears today as I just now start to comprehend how many of my dear husbands friends and business associates have been praying for me over this past month. It truly is by God's grace alone that I was able to wait on tests to be done, wait for pain to be over, and wait for results to be given.

Yesterday as the nurse finished checking my blood pressure, which I told her would be high, (it wasn't!), and went back over all the usual vitals I was numb. Then as she was leaving she said, "I'll leave you alone to talk but if you need me just call. I'll be right outside." To me that was code for, "Prepare yourselves, Dr Holt has bad news."

I won't repeat what David has already told you about the biopsy results but do want to add that I went through the rest of yesterday numb emotionally. I had thought when I received good news that I would feel as if the weight of the world had been removed from my shoulders. But between a terrible migraine which I had not yet been able to treat effectively, and the tiredness of the previous days in which I was deliberately avoiding learning anything about any type of thyroid problems I was just numb.

So today as he forwards every response to me, I am overwhelmed to know that God has placed people in David's life who will pray for us and encourage him.

Thank you for your prayers and love,
Susan

Praying For Those In Full-Time Ministry

My husband has been blessed with the privilege of carpooling with a fellow believer. This has been the source of much encouragement and growth over the past several years as they commute.

We have always felt a burden to pray for those in ministry, and this past week as Bret and David were talking, Bret shared an excerpt about praying for pastors from a devotional book he has been reading. This Sunday, when we found out that our pastor was sick yet pushed himself to bring the sermon and install new elders and deacons, and hear the report from our team that went to Appalachia to serve for a week, we were further convicted of the need to pray very specifically for him and for those we know specifically who are serving Him overseas.

Sunday evening we shared the devotional with our congregation and spent much time in prayer.

Here is a brief outline of what I shared...

Romans 15:30-32 (English Standard Version)


30I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together, (sunagonidzomai) with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered (ruomai) from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service (diakonia) for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will (thelema) I may come to you with joy (chara) and be refreshed (sunanapauma) in your company

 Paul has sent a request to fellow believers to pray for him in several areas.

1. That we will strive together ( sunagonidzomai) in fighting spiritual battles

2. That you would be snatched (ruomai) out of traps and snares set by people who have wrong motives

3. That your service (diakonia) will be well-received, and that your meaning will be well understood

4. That you will have joy (chara) and keep joy in your ministry

5. That you will be in the center of G*d's will (thelema) and stay sensitive to Spirit so that no costly mistakes will be made.

6. That you will be refreshed (sunanapaumai)

Even tho we are miles apart

You and yours are ALWAYS on our hearts

(corny, but true)

By the way, the book is found here...Sparkling Gems from the Greek

Prayer Heard and Answered

I posted on May 5th about the need and power of  prayer in the believers life.  Sadly I failed to put into practice what I said I believed. 

Today was different.  We started our school morning with prayer.  I specifically prayed for encouragement for my husband in his job today.  About 2 hours later he called.  His tone was very upbeat.  He had just come from a meeting with his new boss.  This was a meeting that he probably went into with a not so great attitude.  A meeting that could have meant more discouragement.

Instead GOD used this meeting to clarify to his new boss the process that he goes through and all the paperwork involved in his job as 'Fleet Services Specialist'. David is now encouraged that something will be done to streamline the process so that he will be doing what he is supposed to do (spec and order vehicles etc.) instead of doing a clerking job.

I was in tears as he told me the positive things that will happen as a result of this meeting. Of course he heard the catch in my voice and asked why I was crying.  Praise God for answered prayer!

We have made a commitment to each other and our children to devote ourselves to a time of prayer as a family after supper each evening.

Won't you join us?  If you would like to make your own commitment to prayer as a family, please post a comment on the blog.

Tough Days Ahead

Adolescence is tough. No matter how wonderful your kids are when the hormones start to change things get tough.


Emotions boil over.

Frustration levels are low.

What works one day is totally wrong the next.

And that's just for Mom. What about the poor children??


Plenty of exercise, sometimes helps.

Plenty of sleep, sometimes helps.


Prayer and patience are indispensable.




Sometimes you just have to seperate yourself from them and allow everyone to relax.

How does a soothing cup 'a tea sound?

A relaxing cd?

A nice SCREAM??



But I must stay calm and rely on the strength that comes only from above. This is only one stop in the journey.