Grace Cancer Care Ministry - Recently Updated Pages

News and Happenings

hollynovak — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:24:55 CDT

This page is used for providing informational updates on planned events, announcements and items of interest. Please visit this page to get updates on meetings, workshops, training and other relevant information. If you do have information that you would like others to know about, please feel free to share. Remember be very careful with sharing personal information, as this is a public media and the contents may be visible and accessible to others. Use discretion wisely.

A friend of mine sent me an email telling me about a cleaning service for women that are going through chemotherapy for Breast Cancer. Here's the link to the website if you know of anyone that may need this assistance! http://www.cleaningforareason.org . Hopefully they can be of assistance to someone! -- Holly Novak

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Thursday, October 9, 2009 Breast Cancer in the News

Young girls diagnosed with cancer. Breast cancer striking at younger ages.

Link: abcnews

STANDING IN THE GAP FOR Daniela Joel
Please continue to pray for Daniela Joel, who is suffering from inoperable brain tumor. The tumor has not responded well to the chemo and radiation treatment. As you may know, Daniela lost her dad four years ago suddenly to a heart attack while playing tennis. Her mother Bernadine due to Daniela's situation has to attend to her full time, meaning she is unable to work. Daniela has one younger brother, Andrew. Please continue to pray for healing for Daniela, for the peace of Jesus to surround the family within and without. The story of Jarius's daughter in Mark 5 is an apt reminder that our Lord heals even when we think it is futile.

December 17, 2008

Smoking linked to colorectal cancer. Read more at: yahoo news
Alternating breast cancer test increases the chances of detection. For more go to msnbc
Radiation before surgery improves pancreatic cancer outcome.Read more at Science Daily News

Breast Cancer News May 15, 2008: Being physically active in the early years can stave off breast cancer.
The results from a recent study indicate that exercise and physical activity in women between ages 12-30 can reduce the occurrence of breast cacner.So one more reason to get up off the couch, get physically active. Read the full story a Eflux Media. Encourage your teenage girls to get physically active now and stay that way. You may be helping her in more ways than you can.

May 05, 2008
Grace Cancer Care Ministry Partners Wanted

Do you have a burden to help those who have been impacted by cancer?
Do you want to demonstrate the love of Jesus in practical ways?
Do enjoy encouraging others?
Do you want to share your triumphs over cancer with others?

Then look no further.

The Grace Cancer Care Ministry is seeking committed partners to serve those impacted by cancer in the following areas.

Making first contact phone calls
Writing encouragement letters, cards and notes
Making follow up phone calls
Hospital and in-home visitation
Praying with and for those with needs
You can elect to serve for a specific duration

3 months
6 months
12 months
> 12 months

If you want to partner with us, then we invite you to contact, Glenn or Ann Stevens, annandale@msn.com or Anita Horning (horningfamily@juno.com) or the Church Office.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008. Largest tumor on record removed from a woman's skull
We seem rather intrigued with records and incidents that defy the norm. The following story courtesy of ABC.com describes removal of a tumor twice the size of a baseball from a woman in India.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/International/story?id=4365105&page=1

Older News

Monday, February 4, 2008 Twins kicked out tumor
It really does not get any more bizarre than this, an expectant mother of twins has her cancerous tumor dislodged by the kicking of her twins. For more on this story go the BBC news website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7226730.stm

December 30, 2007 -Our God reigns.
For those of you who have been praying for Ashley, she is safely home and was in church last Sunday. What a testimony of God's miraculous provisioning as He has carried her through the surgery. Melanie's updates were wonderful as she shared with us how our Lord was setting all things in order. Again I am reminded that the Lord does everything very well. We continue to pray for Ashley's complete healing and that her liver will be totally regenerated.This is a reminder for us that our God cares, He is acquainted with all our infirmities and most importantly, He loves us enough to intervene in our sufferings to bring healing and deliverance.

December 30, 2007- Cancer Care Treatment
The news is always devastating when the biopsy results comes back positive. None of us are ever prepared to hear the news that the cells were c...... . Each of us react differently to the news and very often the health care professional does not seem to be empathetic enough. For all of us who have experienced cancer first hand or secondary the impact of the news is still earth shattering. The GraceCancerCare Ministry team is hear for you. Our Lord has blessed us with caring individuals who have walked in your steps. And yes, no two steps are ever alike, but it helps to know that someone else can relate to what you are going through. The New York Times provides a report on the variety of care provided to cancer across the country that is an interesting read. For more information go to New York Times Cancer Article

November 18, 2007- A food item that kills cancer cells in rats, could it stop cancer in humans?
Yet another case has been presented that provides positive indication that certain food types can inhibit or even destroy cancer cells. In this instance, the latest news is reported in Forbes magazine that rats fed with a diet of frozen raspberries and injected with carcinogens are less likely to develop cancer. The following is a full link to the full story in the November 26, on-line issue of Forbes magazine. Forbes Magazine

October 31, 2007: Being thin can reduce your cancer risks, new study finds
The World Cancer Research Fund most recent study results are out, and surprisingly does not break any new ground. They cite a number of recommendations pertaining to diet and food types intake that can reduce one's risk of getting cancer.
They include not gaining weight as an adult, avoiding sugary drinks and alcohol, and not eating bacon or ham. Everyone must also aim to be as thin as possible without becoming underweight. For more go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7069914.stm

October 24, 2007:Study shows more women are opting for double mastectomy;
More women with breast cancer are choosing to have their healthy breast surgically removed along with their affected breast, a new study has found. Almost 5 percent of patients decided to have the radical procedure in 2003, up from just under 2 percent in 1998. For more go to :
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/health/23breast.html?em&ex=1193371200&en=2f1d35271066c898&ei=5087%0A

October 12, 2007. Decline in deaths resulting from breast cancer.
Even though the battle is far from over, the good news is that deaths from breast cancer in the United States is declining. This is according to statistics released by the American Cancer Society. For more on this please go to: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Breast_Cancer_Report_Death_Rate_Incidence_Continue_to_Drop.asp
The following is an excerpt from the article and highlights activities that are within the control of women to reduce the risk of getting cancer. The emphasis as always is on prevention.
Risk Factors Detailed
The report details the major risk factors for breast cancer that women have some control over. These include:

Weight: Obesity increases a woman's risk of postmenopausal (but not premenopausal) breast cancer, as does weight gain during adulthood.

Alcohol use: Women who drink just 2 alcoholic beverages a day face a 21% increase in their risk for breast cancer.

Secondhand smoke: Although most studies have found no link between cigarette smoking and breast cancer, the link between secondhand smoke and breast cancer remains controversial.

Exercise: Women can lower their risk of breast cancer by exercising vigorously for 45 to 60 minutes on 5 or more days per week. Postmenopausal women can lower their risk, according to one study, with any level of physical activity performed on a regular basis.

October 7, 2007
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the American Cancer Society wants you to become involved.
Hope Starts with You!This year, over 4500 women in Georgia will hear the words, “you have breast cancer.” They are our mothers, our aunts, our sisters, our cousins, our daughters, our co-workers, and our best friends. They all have family members, friends, and colleagues who care about them. But thanks to the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event and dedicated people like you, we’re making progress toward a future where no one will have to face breast cancer. For more information and to participate, click on Making Strides Event

September 16, 2007: News Headlines from Cancernews.com

Ovarian Cancer Awareness: What Women Need to Know
Source: University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center (September 10, 2007) Ann Arbor - Ovarian cancer doesn't get the kind of attention breast cancer gets.[more]

Grape Skin Extract Inhibits Prostate Cancer Cell Growth in the Laboratory
Laboratory experiments show that an extract of the skin of muscadine grapes can inhibit growth of prostate cancer cells in the laboratory.[more]

Prostate Cancer: New device improves the accuracy of radiation therapy by monitoring patient motion
Ann Arbor - Radiation for cancer treatment involves targeting intense beams in a very precise fashion to a relatively small area.[more]

August 12, 2007- Lifestyle Choices can lead to cancer, ignorance is not bliss
A most recent article published by the American Cancer Society entitled " How Much Do You Know About Cancer Risk Factors? Misplaced Beliefs Could Lead to Risky Behavior" reveals some startling information on how our knowledge or rather ignorance can lead us to make life-style choices that can promote the occurrence of cancer. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_How_Much_Do_You_Know_About_What_Causes_Cancer.asp

Ignorance: Based on the study results of 1,000 survey respondents nearly 40% of people said pollution is a greater risk factor for lung cancer than smoking, and another 19% weren't sure.

Fact: Smoking is responsible for about 87% of lung cancer deaths.

Ignorance: What someone does as a young adult has little effect on their chance of getting cancer later in life. Nearly 25% said that was true, and another 7% weren't sure.
Fact: The younger people are when they start smoking, the more likely they are to smoke as adults, raising their risk for lung cancer and other cancers. Young people tend to be less concerned about sun exposure even though getting sunburned is known to raise the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Young people may also engage in risky sex behaviors that boost their chances of catching or spreading HPV (human papillomavirus), the virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer.

As the article concludes, make sure you get factual information from reliable and trustworhty sources. Do your research rather than rehearsing myths, concocted stories and urban legends on cancer. To be informed correctly is to be fore-armed. Ignorance is not bliss, what you do not know can kill you. Check out the American Cancer Society for more information on this and many more topics.

July 17-2007- Healthy eating habits and breast cancer- when is too much just enough.
Read up on the study revealing that over-eating on a healthy diet does not reduce the incidence of breast cancer. Full story: http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2007/07/17/hscout606477.html

July 16-2007- Breast Cancer and Eating Grapefruit.
Eating daily diet of grapefruit can contribute to increased incidence of breast cancer. Read the full story from : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6900482.stm

2007 Cancer Care Statistics- Is the battle being won?
The American Cancer Society has compiled the following statistics on cancer. This highly informational and fact based presentation is a must read. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/Cancer_Statistics_Combined_2007.ppt#349,27,Tobacco Use in the US, 1900-2003

Future Meeting Topics
The first meeting for July we will be a workshop to be presented by Angelo on "Managing Fatigue resulting from Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy". Angelo works as a professional in the oncology field in the areas of therapy and will have practical and useful information to share. We want to publicize this to as much as possible so please spread the word.

Special Thanks to Cannon Methodist Church.
We are extremely grateful to Cancer Care Ministry Leadership at Cannon Methodist for their assistance to date in helping us with the launch of Grace's Cancer Care Ministry. This was indeed an arrangement by the Lord, based under the circumstances how we met. Cannon has offered to provide mentoring and assistance as we minister together in this area of the Lord's vineyard.

Information, Invitation Update
As we build out the minisry, we are grateful to the Lord for empowering and gifting us to do His pleasure here on earth. Please do not hesitate to invite others to participate in the ministry. We are currently tyring to get success stories, stories of hope, stories of recovery, that can be posted on the website. One of our goals is to encourage others, and as Paul reminds us we are to support each other burdents. Your story may very well be the one that the Lord uses to comfort another. So please feel free to contribute. If you are shy about posting directly to the site, please email articles to annandale@msn.com or javalont@comcast.net. If you have photographs, poetry, music that you want to share please go ahead and post. Remember the site allows you to invite others to participate in the ministry, so go ahead and use the invite others feature to do this. An email will be sent to them. Use the comments section as well to communicate any ideas, suggestions or feedback.

Cancer Community News
Dekalb Medical Center establishes dedicated support for children impacted by cancer. "GIVING CHILDREN HOPE
TREE HOUSE GANG OFFERS SUPPORT FOR KIDS". For more on this go to http://www.dekalbmedicalcenter.org/shownews.asp?id=960

Gwinnet Relay for Life
Update on the results of the Gwinnett Relay for Life.

Future Events

javalont — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:34:55 CDT

Monthly Meeting Schedule

This is the schedule of meetings planned for the Cancer Care Group. We meet monthly and fourth Sundays. From time to time we will change our schedule or our meeting location. So please be attentive. Do not just be an observer, get involved.

Lord, when did we see you hungry? When did we see you naked?

Being a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, is more than having good intentions it is executing good intentions for the glory of the Lord
Breast Cancer Awareness Mini-Walk: If you or anyone you know or care about have or had breast cancer, then you are invited to join us for a mini-walk at Ronald Reagan Park, Snellville (Intersection of Five Forks and Ronald Reagan) on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 4:00 PM. We will be handing out breast cancer awareness flyers and ribbons .

Date	Time	Meeting Event	Venue
October 25, 2009	4:00 PM	Breast Cancer Awareness- Mini Walk- volunteers and well wishers	Ronald Reagan Park
September 27, 2009	4:00 PM	Overcoming Fatigue associated with Cancer Treatment- Angelo Rizzo	Room 114
August 23, 2009	4:00PM	Caring through Serving-	Room 114
April 20, 2009	4:00 PM	Recent Updates on Breast Cancer. Guest Speaker- Dr. John Mniford	Room 114
March 22, 2009	4:00 PM	Breast Cancer and You, Guest Speaker - Dr. Gayla Dillard	Room 114
February 22, 2009	4:00 PM	Regular Meeting: Prayer and Support	Romm 114




February 24, 2008	4:00 PM	Regular Meeting: Cancer Trials and Triumphs: Dealing with the deaths of loved ones from cancer	Room 105
March 9, 2008	4::00 PM	Cancer Care Ministry Planning Meeting	Room 105
March 30, 2008	4:00 PM	Regular Meeting: Nutrition and You- Effects of food, nutrition and diet with those undergoing cancer and post-cancer treatment: Guest Presenter: Nutrion Experts from the American Cancer Society	Room 105
April 27, 2008	4:00 PM	A Call to Service Demonstrating practical support to those impacted by cancer by commiting to serve and doing it. Room 105	Room 105
September 28, 2008	4:00 PM	The Inside Track on Radiation Oncology by Dr. Mark Quinn, radiation oncologist	Room 105,
Sunday, September 7 Sunday, September 14 Sunday, September 21 Sunday, September 28	Morning Services Only	Distribution of cancer support arm bands to show support for those who have been impacted by cancer	Grace Auditorium

Daniela's Blog

javalont — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:15:49 CDT

This page is dedicated to Daniela. Daniela was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in November last year and since that time her condition has deteriorated to the point where in April the doctors confided in her mother that she had less than 24 hours to live. The Lord has demonstrated to the family and those who have been standing in the gap for them the awesome power of His love. He has gently massaged Daniela back to health, and having lost mobility in her arms and legs, along with speech, she is now busy writing again. I had the pleasure of seeing her twinkle her toes. The Lord seems to be fashioning her through this ordeal like a diamond being formed for His beauty to be seen through her. The attention that her mother has given to her, is an apt reminder to us of the binding love that our Lord and Savior Jesus has for us, His children. So please continue to pray for the Lord to reveal HIs glory through her. Also we must continue to lift Bernadine, Daniela's Mom and younger brother Andrew up before the Lord for continued strength and sustenance and that they too experience the massaging strokes of our heavenly Father's compassion for them.

So if you want to find out what Daniela is doing and keep up with her, then you are welcome to join her blog at:
http://www.danielajblog.blogspot.com

Prayer Requests

javalont — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:35:58 CDT

5-19-09 We praise the Lord for the healing that is underway and the good report from Robin, Vicky, Sara, Dave, Holly and Nila. We need to be in special prayer for Christy and Gail as they continue the early part of the journey. We also need to continue praying for Daniela, for complete healing and the power of the Lord to be manifested through her.

3-16-09 Special Prayer for Robin S who will be undergoing surgery at Northside for breast cancer. Please pray for the peace of the Lord to over-flood her, to calm any fears or anxiety she may have.

8-10-08
David, is our model of faith and perseverance with cancer. For those who have been praying David is wrestling with leukemia and his condition has made a turn for the worst. Here is Pam's (David's Mom) prayer request.

Please pray for David to feel the presence of the Lord and to know His comfort and Love during this difficult time. David and I were both teary-eyed yesterday, but I reminded him that God has a great reward for him because he has fought the good fight and continues to trust the Lord for strength! David has been very peaceful since the news yesterday and actually is not experiencing quite as much pain. The pain in his side does continue to nag him, but the nurses are giving him morphine to relieve the discomfort. (David continues to make us laugh when "under the influence".)

5-12-08 Prayer Request for Pain Relief and Practical Wisdom
Ann's Mom has been diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer. She is a firm believer and fully trusts in the provisions of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please pray with us for relief from her pain and wisdom in securing the care necessary for her. She will be living with us indefinitely. Thanks for your prayers.

04-21-08 Prayer Request
Mom's cancer has spread to her bones. It is treatable by chemo but she needs to correct her vitamin deficiency and get the swelling of her legs down. Pray for her will to try.

Thanks.

Anita

02-13-08
Prayer Request - Mom has had some regrowth of her brain tumors since they were "under control" in mid- December after treatment in mid-November. The next scan will be March 18, 2007.

Praise - Our friend Sylvia has completed all treatments and is doing very well.

Thanks, Anita

01-08-08
Special and urgent prayer for David North.
I am writing to you from the hospital and AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DAVID! HE STRUGGLING TO BREATHE AND HIS LEFT LUNG IS NOT SHOWING MUCH AIR MOVEMENT. His oxygen saturation level is 90% with the oxygen mask set at 3 liters 34%? He just tried to go to the bathroom and was so winded even with oxygen. the respiratory therapist noticed he is using his lower belly muscles to breathe and his pulse stays around 109 -120. Please pray forhealing of left lung and that his virus would subside. It is so hard to watch him use so much energy coughing and just trying to stay comfortable. He had a scare yesterday when he tried to go the bathroom without oxygen and began coughing and could not catch his breath! It took a while to restabilize his breathing.
Please let everyone know to pray! I am worried. There is a high morbidity rate for rsv in immunosuppressed patients, but we do serve an awesome God!
Love,
Pam

11-01-07
Please pray for Amber's dad. As you can recall Amber lost her Mom in the recent past to cancer. Her dad was diagnosed with a malignant tumor. He is scheduled for surgery. Also please lift up Amber, having to go through this ordeal yet again.

Let not your heart be troubled or afraid, peace I give unto you, not as the world gives. John 14: 27

10-28-07
Special prayers for Suzanne M as she starts her chemo treatment on Tuesday, 10-30-07.

8-2-07
Please pray for my mom's cancer check in August, that her x-rays will be completely clear. Also pray for our friend Sylvia, who cannot complete her chemotherapy because her white blood count is too low.

Thanks so much. Anita

8-18-07

Praise - My Mom's cancer check up is clear!
Sylvia has one more chemotherapy treatment remaining in September and she will be done!

Thanks so much. Anita

Cancer Care Ministry Overview

javalont — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:25:11 CDT

An intersection of lives for the glory of the Lord. A ministry dedicated to supporting those impacted by cancer

“Whatever you did for one of the least these brothers of mine, you did for me”. Matt 25:40

Mission Statement

To glorify the Lord by enhancing the well-being of children and adults who have been diagnosed with cancer by providing ongoing practical, spiritual, mental and emotional support.

Goals

•To help fill the gap and void with families coping with the impact of cancer and helping them to reach a point of self proficiency.

•To assist individuals who have been impacted by cancer to reach the point of self sustenance.

•To demonstrate the love of Christ to those who have been impacted by cancer.

•To provide a forum for people impacted by cancer to share, encourage and support each other.

•To provide a forum and outlet for those who want to serve others who have been impacted by cancer.

To serve as a resource broker in directing and pointing individuals impacted with cancer to resources and organizations that can provide pracical support.

Roles

Cancer Care Provider (CCP) or Cancer Care Buddy (CC Buddy): Person or persons who are responsible for providing assistance to those who have been impacted by cancer. This can be any person including those who have previously been impacted by cancer.

Cancer Care Receiver (CCR): Individual who has been impacted by cancer and has expressed needs for assistance and support. This can be a family member who needs help in providing assistance to another family member or loved one or the person who has been diagnosed or being treated for cancer.

Cancer Care Assessor: Person who is responsible for contacting CCR and determining needs and assistance requirements.

Cancer Care Coordinator: Person who is responsible for keeping track of care provisioning and paring CCR with CCP.

GCC Home Base

javalont — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:29:48 CST

This wiki and the associated pages are dedicated to the creation and sharing of information pertinent to Grace Fellowship Church's Cancer Care Ministry. The site has several pages for different topics and areas of interest.

*****An intersection of lives for the glory of the Lord.

A ministry dedicated to supporting those impacted by cancer******

“Whatever you did for one of the least these brothers of mine, you did for me”. Matt 25:40

By way of special invitation

Have you been impacted by cancer and need help?
Do you want to help others who have been impacted by cancer?
Do you have stories you want to share?
Do you have news on cancer topics and happenings?
Do you want to demonstrate the practical love of Jesus to those impacted by cancer?

Then you are invited to be a part of the Grace Cancer Care Ministry.

Questions, Comments, Blogs, Suggestions, Tips

We encourage you to post questions, make comments, provide answers or advice. Use the Discussion Forum to do this.

Please be discrete when posting personal information on this site. Any undesirable information is subject to deletion by the site administrator. However please feel free to share information on any topic that is of interest to you or others.

Internal Pages

External Links

Church Affiliated

Grace Fellowship Church-Home church for the cancer care ministry
Canon UMC Cancer Ministry- Partnering ministry with extensive support programs for cancer patients and care providers.

General Information on Cancer

American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute-Government-based organization

News and Happenings

Cancer News (Go to this site to get the latest news on cancer development)

Medical Resources

Professional Support Services

CancerCare- provides free support services
AseraCare- Hospice and home care service provider
Altus - Hospice care

Recovery and Recreational

Lighthouse Family Retreat- Seaside family retreat for children with cancer
Therapeutic Solutions Inc,- Atlanta based oncological therapeutic center with a focus on strengthening survivors for successful recovery

Hospice Care Extraordinaire

javalont — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:02:26 CST

I am not one to readily recommend services. But as the Scripture teaches one should not withhold good from those to whom it is due. As many of you know my mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. At her last doctor's visit, hospice care was recommended. We privately prayed that the Lord would allow us to have a hospice where His love would be manifested, and that there would be members of His family serving there. So the Tuesday afternoon after returning from the doctor's office, Altus sent their intake administrator. During the course of the conversation with Ann, she discovered that the administrator was a servant of the Lord. She in turn stated that she would try to ensure that Christian nurses were assigned to Ann's Mom. She concluded the meeting by praying with Ann. This is about living out your faith, as our behavior is the outcome of our beliefs and values. Later that evening the nurse came and spent a very long time with Mary. Shortly thereafter they brought in a hospital bed. The following Thursday, the nurse decided that it was best to have her admitted to the hospice. They promptly arranged everything. The ambulance came, she was admitted and all the particulars taken care of. The facilities was very homely with a wonderful ambiance. The staff's attitude and professionalism were exemplary. So here is to Altus and its staff, keep up the excellent work.

Glenn,

I echo everything you said about hospice. They were fabulous with my mom.

Anita

Topics and Areas of Interest

javalont — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:56:39 CST

Cancer and the Lord's Prayer- A closer walk with the Lord through cancer.

THe following book is recommended by a close friend who has undergone battles with cancer and experience the Lord's outpouring of His love through the journey.
The book is Cancer and The Lord's Prayer by Greg Anderson. It is published by Meredith Books and the ISBN -10 # is 0-696-23256-1.

Cancer Basics
What is cancer? How does one get cancer? Is this a modern disease? Are certain people more pre-disposed to cancer than others? What does a tumor have to do with cancer? Benign and malignant are words I have always heard associated with cancer, what do they really mean?
The web abounds with material and information on cancer from a variety of reputable sources. We do not intend to replicate the information but rather point you to these sources such that you can better equip yourself with the knowledge and understanding. So consider this a one stop shop for directions to cancer information resources.

Cancer Primer
This is a primer on cancer courtesy of BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/tech/cancer/newsid_2913000/2913831.stm

Cancer Cell Basics
This is another site recommended for providing a basic overview of cancer as it relates to cancer cells.
Basics about cancer cell

The American Cancer Society is a national repository for cancer information, so here is a quick link to their offerings on basic information on cancer. Please vistit. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=72

Advances in Cancer Care:Knowledge is Power when used.
The American Cancer Society has reported that deaths resulting from cancer is decreasing in the United States. Get more on this and the leading causes of cancer in our population. Can cancer be contracted from others? http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer/CA00003

The National Cancer Institute provides an easy to read presentation of the facts surrounding cancer. I strongly recommend this site to those who really want to get a layman's view of the disease. http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/understandingcancer/cancer

Prevention and Early Detection.
You have always heard the phrase "prevention is better than cure" or "an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure". There is no place this is more applicable than when it comes to your health, especially your health as it relates to preventing the onslaught of cancer. As we all know cancer, is an "equal-opportunity" disease and is not discriminatory. Each of us personally knows someone close to us who have been diagnosed with cancer in one form or another. Tragically, it seems to be attacking the younger age groups as well. Is there no form of defense against this monstrosity. Well, one of the most powerful weapons in the arsenal to ward off the attack of cancer is prevention and adopting life style practices and behavior that minimize the occurrence of cancer. The next best defense is early detection.
So if you want to raise your defenses, then check this out. Prevenition and Early Detection

Self-empowerment to prevent cancer.
The number one cure for cancer is prevention. The trick is to know how to prevent the onslaught of the disease. Cancer is not a new phenomenon, but with increased reduction in the immunity effectiveness of our body due to "bad" food and destructive lifestyle choices we promote the growth and proliferation of cancer cells within the body. Do not wait for the disease to manifest itself, rather take a proactive approach to healthy living. The following link provides a listing of 15 things you can do to prevent the onslaught of cancer. Courtesy of the University of Pittsburg Cancer Institute, Center for Environmental Oncology.
http://www.environmentaloncology.org/publications/prevention.htm

Journaling

My mom survived cancer spring 2007. When I first heard of her health troubles, I got out a journal and began to write. Writing has always been important to me, I’ve kept diaries since early elementary school and have been a freelance writer for ten years. Journaling helps clear my head and sort things out, it is like praying on paper, like thinking out loud – on paper.

Although my journal is fancy with colored lines and a pretty bow, the type of book does not matter. Taking the time to write when you are under stress is what matters. You can take your journal with you and write throughout the day, or at home at night as I did. You can use a computer, tape recorder or artists sketch pad; anything that suits your lifestyle.

I wrote about:
¨ mom’s appointments and test results
¨ my fears of her death
¨ worked through when I could go to see her
¨ expressed my concern about my aunt, her primary caretaker
¨ research I had done about her condition
¨ what I was going to ask next time I talked to her

I wrote several pages a day in the beginning and it naturally tapered off when she recovered from surgery and resumed her normal activities. It is sitting on my nightstand near my other journals, and I don’t write often now but I know the book is there if anything else comes up. I may post some of my journal entries at a later time.

We appreciate your visiting this page and your interest in Grace and cancer care. Please add a comment and tell us how you got through/are getting through the stress of your/loved one’s cancer.

Anita, Lawrenceville
Grace Fellowship Church

David's Log

javalont — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:50:49 CST

Friday, October 31, 2008- David called home.
As many of you have followed David's battle with leukemia, it is with mixed emotions that we share the news that the Lord has raptured David away to be forever with Him. To Chris, Pam and David's siblings we extend the Lord's comfort as they reflect, reminsce and remember David. Below is the full text of the message as posted.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2008 03:50 PM, CDT
Please feel free to come celebrate the memory of David North, and thank you for all of your support and prayers.

David Andrew North, age 20, of Lilburn, GA went to be with his Lord on October 30, 2008 at Egleston Children’s Hospital after a 5 year battle with Leukemia. He is survived by his loving and devoted family: Parents, Pamela and Christopher P. North, DMD of Lilburn, GA, 6 Brothers and Sisters, Ryan North and his wife Rachelle of Pelham, AL, Stephanie North Debski and her husband Johnny, Amanda North, Katie North, Christy North and Jon North all of Lilburn, GA; Paternal Granparents, George and Dorothy North of Chamblee, GA; Maternal Grandfather, Donald Smith of Stone Mountain, GA; and Numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Many Loyal Friends. He was preceded in death by his Maternal Grandmother, Joan Smith. David was born on June 21, 1988 at Dekalb Medical Center. His mother Pam described David as “a delightful middle child that was a warrior who fought to the end for his family.” He was home schooled and graduated from Parkwood Christian Academy in Lilburn and attended Perimeter College in Dunwoody. He was an avid sportsman that was a ranked tennis player in Georgia, snowboarder and skier, dirt bike rider, liked to fish and loved the Georgia Bulldogs. David loved to travel and especially enjoyed cruises with his entire family to the Southern & Western Caribbean. He loved the outdoors, camping, going to Camp Sunshine, playing video games, and hanging out with his friends. He was an inspiration to everyone that knew him, and his father Chris said he lived his life with “dignity and integrity” through out all of his health problems. He kept his faith, Loved his Lord and never questioned why he had to battle so many health problems during his young life.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Urgent Prayer Need for David
Prayer Meeting for David at 7:00 PM in Discipleship House at Grace
The update was from Tuesday as posted by Pam.

Dearest Friends,
Having just read some sweet Scriptures posted on the guestbook, I am feeling more confident in God's Provision for David. He is fighting for every breath and it is so hard to watch the rapid deterioration of his lungs.
Last night was a nightmare as David struggled to cough up phlegm and breathe, with his heart rate constantly increasing. He can hardly talk now and he can only signal me when he wants something or make a sound. HE IS TOTALLY EXHAUSTED. He has not slept in several days and what sleep he has received in the last 3 weeks has been erratic.
I was so tired last night and by the time David and I turned out the lights after a very long torturous routine (His breathing is so labored, it takes him so long to do anything) we were sound asleep for about an hour. Around 3:00am David's labored coughing resulted in respiratory distress with David trying to signal me to turn up the oxygen.
I am totally in disbelief because as of this morning David's lungs are very tight and are not moving air well. His chest x-ray still shows infection, but the doctors think the combination of bronchiolitis obliterans and fungal and possibly bacterial infection are causing the tightening of the lungs.
The doctor sat down with David and said their options are few. They are treating his infection with every medicine available but it could take weeks to be effective.
As of right now David has been placed on a Bi-pap machine which forces oxygen into his lungs to relieve his air hunger. Unfortunately , it is very difficult for him to talk, eat or drink right now.
PLEASE PRAY FOR HEALING OF HIS LUNGS AND A MIRACLE FOR DAVID.
THE DOCTORS FEEL THAT THE END IS NEAR AND DON'T FEEL CONFIDENT THAT DAVID CAN SURVIVE.
ONCE AGAIN DAVID IS BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE! WE ASK THAT YOU URGENTLY BESEECH THE FATHER FOR COURAGE AND FAITH TO FIGHT THIS VERY SERIOUS DOWNTURN!
Pray that David will rest on the Lord and not be afraid. It is so hard to not be able to catch your breath. The doctors can give him morphine and other pain relievers, but they could cause him to have to be intubated. David is supposed to decide today whether he wants to just have comfort medicine until the end or to continue to fight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE NEED PRAYER WARRIORS!
loVE,
pAM

Friday August 29, 2008
I had the great pleasure of visiting with David this last Wednesday and what a visit it was. David was in high spirits and very engaging. He was wisecracking, very conversational and we shared a lot. He was very much on top of his medical situation. The good news is that his cancer cells count has been decreasing (not sure if this is a result of the new drug that he is on). He joked about his dog having an overbite, the dog was a gift from his Dad to his Mom, and the funny thing was, his Dad being a dentist did not realize the dog had an overbite. Then we were into sharks, wondering if sharks had overbites or under-bites. Pam joined us later and we spoke more about the Olympics and other things. David was planning on attending his sister's volleyball game later that evening. I used the opportunity to pray with Pam and David. So as they continue the journey that only they can walk let us not weary in well doing, but continue to pray and serve them practically. I am reminded from Galatians 6 that the Lord wants us to bear each other burdens- Glenn.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 08, 2008 02:33 PM,CDT

Dearest Friends,
I don't know where to begin, but yesterday was a very sad day as the doctors notified David and mom (me) that David's leukemia has returned once again. David and the whole family were totally shocked because we thought the moderately severe graft vs. host disease would keep the disease in remission.
We met with the bone marrow transplant doctor yesterday and he said the leukemia cells were only detected with the help of an electron microscope. Apparently, they are just a very small population, but unfortunately with cancer - even one is too many.
Please pray for David to feel the presence of the Lord and to know His comfort and Love during this difficult time. David and I were both teary-eyed yesterday, but I reminded him that God has a great reward for him because he has fought the good fight and continues to trust the Lord for strength! David has been very peaceful since the news yesterday and actually is not experiencing quite as much pain. The pain in his side does continue to nag him, but the nurses are giving him morphine to relieve the discomfort. (David continues to make us laugh when "under the influence".)
We are meeting with Dr. Briones (David's oncologist) today to see if there are any options for treatment. Dr. Chang informed us that David's physical body was probably too toxic to consider chemotherapy. I e-mailed Dr. Pui at St. Jude's and he consulted the bone marrow team, but unfortunately, Dr. Leung said David's organ function was limited and he would not qualify for cellular therapy. (I was encouraged when Dr. Pui mentioned it, but once again it looks like a door has closed.)
I am dreading this upcoming meeting with Dr. Briones because I think I know what he is going to say and I don't want to hear it. Pray for us to be courageous and wait on the Lord. As the Psalmist said, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?"
Now that doors are closing, pray that God will be David's healer and He ALONE will get the glory!
Trusting Jesus throught the storm,
Pam

Wednesday April 30, 2008. Our God is Faithful
Dear Faithful Friends,
It has now been two weeks and David continues to improve and amaze his doctors, family and friends! He is now enjoying driving once again, attending his brother's baseball games, eating out and going over the the Spink's house (a favorite hang-out from childhood!)
The wheelchair now sits in a corner of our living room gathering dust (which is a good thing) because David is on the move and God is working all things together for the good of those who love him! David is still pulling his portable oxygen tank behind him but he is now enjoying himself and not worrying about the next breath!

Dr. Chang recently examined David and was also astounded at his progress and commented that 'I guess we could take the credit, but we know you deserve the applause for enduring the treatment.' Of course, I had to remind the good doctor that God is the One who deserves the praise because He has heard the prayers of His people! Thank you Jesus!

David has been attending pulmonary rehabilitation for two weeks now and is making tremendous progress! He is now up to 11 minutes on the treadmill and 12 minutes on the bicycle AND is oxygen saturation level is remaining high! He is working with weights on his ankles to build up his thighs which have atrophied due to steroids and inactivity. David credits his tennis coach with teaching him the importance of hard work as he goes the extra mile to try and make his lungs stronger!

He exercises with an older 70's crowd but has already had several ladies comment on that cute younger boy, asking 'Now why is he here?' and really only God knows the answer to that question! We know He does all things perfectly and there are no accidents in God's kingdom. God has a perfect plan for David's life and only He can reveal it at the right time!

Thank you for every prayer offered before the throne on David's behalf and every tear that was shed for him before the Father. David is truly a walking miracle and a testimony of God's faithfulness to hear us in the midst of the storm.

The most exciting part of the story is yet to come as God has truly answered the prayer of a desperate mother! In January when David would awake me at night trying to catch his breath, I earnestly prayed to God that He would save my son and allow him to once again go on a trip with his family! And in answer to that prayer we are planning a Caribbean cruise for all 9 of us
on June 29th to July7th. Please pray that David will continue to improve and that his lungs will heal and he will be able to vacation without oxygen 24 hours a day!!! Both doctors have given us their blessing for this trip for David as long as he is stable.
Please pray that David will remain healthy and God will allow this to be a special celebration and renewal for David after a long winter and 4+years of fighting leukemia and its side effects.

WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR THIS BLESSING AND ARE WATCHING AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT GOD WILL DO WITH DAVID NOW THAT HE HAS ALLOWED HIM TO LIVE!

Pray that God will give David direction and a sense of purpose as he begins this new chapter in his life!
Please continue to pray for total healing - spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically!
Thank you again for caring!
Looking forward to sailing on smoother seas with Jesus at the wheel,
Blessings on each and every one of you,
Pam and David and family

P.S. David's goal at rehab is to one day play tennis once again. Now that would be a miracle! Pray the David will one day reach for those tennis racquets at the back of his closet and astound the doctors and myself!

Sunday, February 17, 2008. Strength for the journey
I don't have all the details at this point, but just wanted to let youk now that David was readmitted Saturday to the oncology floor. He has been having some difficult days breathing at home, and Saturday morning he woke with some chest pain as well. They say the xray showed some air leak from his lungs around his heart, and this was causing the pain. They believe this will resolve on its own after some treatments in the hospital.. HE will stay for a couple days to get things under control and make sure things are going okay. I am sure mom will give you a better update soon.. Thanks for checking in! STephanie Joe went to see Pam and David last night, and David was breathing better, and his oxygen level had come back up after having the breathing treatments. Pam is extremely tired. Thank you for your continued prayer for the North family. If you want to help with meals, I believe Dawn Brown (770.978.1615 dawn@adsley.com.) at Grace is keeping up with the meals calendar for them. Love, Kay

Friday, February 8, 2008 -Slow Advances

David had another restless night because he has to use a lot of energy to go the bathroom due to IV fluids being infused all night long! He has not felt well today and continues to feel tense and uncomfortable trying to find a position that is comfortable for his breathing, We just placed a massage cushion behind his back and he seems to be relaxing (and breathing) much better. Please pray that David will keep the faith in the midst of a trial that seems to have no end! Today he seemed discouraged when he said "Even the doctors don't know what to do!" in reference to his lung problem. Thanks for caring - keeping the faith, Pam and Chris and David

Monday, January 28, 2008 - Prayer and more prayer.

After an encouraging evening with David eating his IHOP breakfast, David had a very rough night. He awoke me several times complaining of either claustrophobia (the mask is very confining and covers his head and most of his face), or imsomnia. At 5:30 am David finally fell into a restful sleep after I propped him up on his left shoulder with his right shoulder elevated with pillows. (His right lung is not moving air as well as his left.) He also seemed to settle down after I read Psalm 91 and Psalm 23 which seemed to comfort him.Unfortunately at 7:30 his oxygen saturation level began to drop and the buzzers went offand we readjusted his postion and turned up the oxygen, only to realize that he had to change his shorts which was an excruciatingly difficult task for him. (He is a normal teenage boy who wants his privacy) Please pray for David because he is experiencing severe respiratory distress when doing such simple things as changing his shorts and sitting up in bed. It takes him so long to recover after exertion.The respiratory therapist had to come and increase his oxygen because he was so "air-hungry" after changing his clothes. I am saddened at this rapid deterioration of his lungs and his nurse this morning was shocked to see the decline from Friday when she said she thought would be going home over the weekend. They are going to do a deep mucus extraction procedure today and try to look at the cells under a microscope to rule out infections. The pulmonologist continues to suspect graft vs host disease of the lung which usually is progressive. The doctors continue to suppress his immune system and my prayer is that their suspected diagnosis is correct!And it is not an infection! PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL REVEAL TO THE DOCTORS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AND A TREATMENT SOLUTION! AND ALSO, LIFT DAVID UP BEFORE THE MERCY SEAT FOR TOTAL HEALING AND COURAGE TO FIGHT THIS GIANT WHICH IS LOOMING ITS UGLY HEAD IN DAVID'S LIFE PRAY FOR GOD'S PEACE WHICH SURPASSES UNDERSTANDING TO PERMEATE DAVID'S ROOM AND FOR ME TO STAY STRONG AND TRUST IN THE LORD! Thank you for standing with David during his battle for his life! I'm comforted knowing that the battle is the Lord's and we can rest in His loving arms. AND that Jesus cares and stores every tear in a bottle and weeps when we weep. Trusting Jesus, Pam and David

Saturday, January 26, 2008- Critical Prayer Request

8pm Just spoke with Pam on the phone and David had a very rough night overnight with labored and wheezing sounds breathing, and his pulse went up to 145. They have started the CPap machine to try to keep his lungs open, but it is hurting the bridge of his nose and they are not sure how long he can tolerate it. The Pulmonologist said that they are leaning more towards the graft vs host disease as the cause of his labored breathing, and it is progressive. They are increasing his prednisone to 80mg to try and hold down the inflammation, and they may try to increase his anti rejection meds if the prednisone does not help, depending on how his liver and kidney function is. Pam asks us all to keep praying for a miracle. Thanks so much.

Love,

Kay

Friday, January 25, 2008 David is back in the hospital
David had to be admitted today to the Aflac Cancer Center because of his difficulties breathing. He was in the emergency room all afternoon and now is in room 354 Egleston. It was a hard room to occupy because of the memories associated with it. David lost a friend to ostersarcoma in August and he went home in that very room! Please pray for healing for David's lungs. A chest x-ray was performed today and hopefully God will give wisdom to the doctors as well as a healing that will glorify him. It is so hard to watch him struggle for breath (even on oxygen).

Thursday, January 17, 2008- David is at home

I am LATE with the update! David made it home Tuesday Night! It was a bit of a surprise for everyone. The docs came in that morning and said they wanted him home so he would move around more. He is on oxygen at home and going in for check ups. The docs still hoping that when they get the RSV under control that David's breathing issues will subside. Thanks for all the good food. it really has helped out the family! Keep praying for Davids lungs to get strong and healthy... stephanie

Monday, January 14, 2008 12:11 AM

Subject: David is slowly improving!! Email from Pam

Dear Kay,
It's been a long 11 days but the doctors today feel David's lungs are improving.He is now down to 1 liter of oxygen and his oxygen saturation level is 95% on average. After consulting with the Infectious disease doctors Dr. Horan feels more confident that the virus could be the culprit behind the diminished lung capacity and difficulty breathing. David has had a good day today after a few rough nights with the alarm going off while sleeping due to lowered saturation levels and tachycardia. He has had a roomful of visitors today which seems to have boosted his spirits! Right now he is trying to ingest a whopper and increase his calorie intake for the day. The doctors still want David to gain weight! WheW! That's tough when he's coughing and trying to breathe.
Praise God for all the prayer support and the meals that have been coming to the house to feed my other family! I am so thankful for God's presence through the hands and feet of His peopleand their LOVE for the brethren. Please pray that David continues to improve and that he will be able to come home soon. The doctors said he hopefully will be sent home in the next week so he can walk around exercise his lungs more.(Currently he is confined to his room because of the virus)They think it will take the entire month of Jan. to recuperate and they're hoping by mid Feb. or sooner David's lungs will be healed! (They said if David is back playing tennis in Feb, they won't worry about a lung biopsy,but if troubles continue that will be the next step.
We're praying for another miracle healing for David. God is good!
Love you all,
Pam
P.S. Kay - thanks for passing this update through the e-mail contact list!

Monday, January 7, 2008
Urgent Prayer Need for David
I am writing to you from the hospital and AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DAVID! HE STRUGGLING TO BREATHE AND HIS LEFT LUNG IS NOT SHOWING MUCH AIR MOVEMENT. His oxygen saturation level is 90% with the oxygen mask set at 3 liters 34%? He just tried to go to the bathroom and was so winded even with oxygen. the respiratory therapist noticed he is using his lower belly muscles to breathe and his pulse stays around 109 -120. Please pray forhealing of left lung and that his virus would subside. It is so hard to watch him use so much energy coughing and just trying to stay comfortable. He had a scare yesterday when he tried to go the bathroom without oxygen and began coughing and could not catch his breath! It took a while to restabilize his breathing.
Please let everyone know to pray! I am worried. There is a high morbidity rate for rsv in immunosuppressed patients, but we do serve an awesome God!
Love,
Pam

January, 5 2008 Update: David in ICU

10 am Friday phone call with Pam:

David is being transferred to room # 4030 in the Pediactric ICU. He coughed alot all night and has not had much rest, and it is very difficult to breathe. He is exhausted. He is having a CT scan now. Pam says that she believes that the doctors suspect graft vs host disease but have not come right out and said this is exactly it yet. There has been whispering between the nurses and talk of his diminished lung capacity. His digestive tract, skin and eyes are also affected. He is having difficulty swallowing. He is also having changes in his heart rhythms.

We are asking the Lord for yet another miracle like He has done so many times before when David has been in a crisis.....

Update provided by Kay.

Thursday, January 3, 2008: Prayer Request for David

Written by Pam (David's mom). Thank you for praying!

I am writing you in the middle of the night because David just returned from Florida at 1:30 am and has been coughing all night long. He told Katie he feels like he is suffocating because he cannot get his breath. I am very concerned because he said it was worse at the condo with the humidity. But I am more concerned because when he went to the clinic they did not hear any congestion, but said if it continues it could be graft vs. host disease and they would have to send him to a pulmonary specialist. After surfing the web I found some disturbing info and I am praying he is not suffering from bronchiolitis obliterans which can be a side effect of chronic graft vs. host disease and basically has no cure. The symptoms sound just like what he is experiencing with shortness of breath, wheezing, and constriction type feeling of the airway.

We have an appointment on Friday at 10:30 am. I think he doesn't want tests run which will be the next step.
Please pray for courage to face the outcome and strength for the battle. Please pass on an SOS prayer request for David.

Kay Legg's Story Book

joelegg — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:29:34 CDT

August 28, 2008
I am sorry that I have not written an update for the Grace Cancer site in so long. I know that we updated some other prayer lists, but please forgive the oversight on this one. Kay did indeed end up having another mastectomy like the November 2007 update below suggested. This one, in December of 2007, unlike the first one, showed no cancer cells in the pathology reports. She recovered pretty well from the surgery, but experienced difficulty with fatigue and swelling. She was referred to a cardiologist during the winter and was diagnosed with damage to her heart from the original cancer drug she took. Her heart functioning efficiency was at 40% and the doctors were concerned that might continue to decrease. Kay began a regular intake of a natural substance call CoQ10. At her last procedure where they test the heart efficiency it had increased to 62% for which we were grateful to God. Her doctors were suprised and told her to continue doing what she was doing. Life has been extremely busy with a number of things to be grateful for, including the anticipation of the birth of our first grandchild in October of this year. Thanks for reading and praying. Joe

November 8,2007
On our last update we reported that Kay's needle biopsy that was prompted by potential suspicious activity from her one year mammogram proved to be benign. I also mentioned that it might be a couple of weeks before we heard about the mri results (even though they were done on the same day). Two and a half weeks passed and we had almost forgotten about the results. Then on a Tuesday night, the doctor called at 6pm to report that the mri did indeed show some potential tumors. As a result we have scheduled another needle biopsy on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
In the midst of this Kay's mom who lives in a nursing home has suffered a setback and has had to be hospitalized. Please pray that God would give us peace in the midst of turmoil. Thanks! Joe Legg

Kay's Biopsy

Thank you for praying for Kay's needle biopsy. As you may recall, Kay had a mastectomy a year and a couple of months ago. At her 1 year mammogram, the doctor noticed suspicious activity in her remaining breast. The recommendation was to do another mammogram in six months. Not being satisfied with that, Kay arranged for another doctor to do a mri and needle biopsy. We got the results of the needle biopsy Tuesday of this week and the suspicious tissue was benign. We are grateful for that news! It may be another week or two until we hear the results of the mri. Thanks for your concern and prayers and support.

Leukemia Support Page

annandale — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:50:03 CDT

Many of us at Grace are familiar with David North. David has been battling leukemia for the past 4 years. Other members and friends from Grace have been impacted by leukemia in one form or another. Vicky Samaritano is participating in a fund raising effort to cure leukemia. If you want to help out, please go to Vicki's Support Page

Past Meeting Summaries

javalont — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:03:24 CDT

This page will provide a summary of the meetings for those who may have missed them. The information will be cycled off monthly, meaning only the most current 6 months meetings summaries are to be retained. As always please make corrections as you see fit.

Meeting Updates for June 1, 2008 Got Questions- Get Answers
This was an exceptional informative meeting. Maria Hanik, our guest speakero. (physician assistant oncologist with Georgia Cancer Specialists) was exceptional in her delivery. Her knowledge and ability to communicate was very effective. She addressed many questions posted to those in attendance. Maria is a keeper and we definitely will have her at future meting. For those who need to contact Maria you can email her at Maria.hanik@gmail.com

Meeting Updates for October 28, 2007
Special thanks for those who came especially Lisa C who shared with us she has completed her treatments. Our Lord is awesome and care about us. The meeting was focused on prayer: for physical, emotional and mental healing from the impact of cancer. It was a joy to see so many who came to intercede on behalf of their loved ones. Thanks for standing in the gap. We had a wonderful time, as Dwight and Candy led us in prayer. We were reminded that the Lord loves us and wants the best for us. Dwight and Candy shared how God has mightily worked in their lives through healing. The time was spent spefically praying for those present who were still being treated for cancer as well as not in attendance but loved ones were there on their behalf.

Meeting Updates for August 26, 2007
Wow, that is all I can say Wow. The Lord mightily used the meeting to provide demonstrable support and encouragement. We had a very good turn out at the meeting, but the highlight of the evening was the report from Patricia and how the Lord has healed her from the mental anguish she was experiencing resulting from the knowledge of having cancer. She shared her story to date and the struggles involved in coming to terms with the cancer. So many others who have successfully walked in the journey before were able to advise and to provide her with meaningful counsel. We continue to pray for her and support her practically. The meeting was truly a support meeting, with so many others sharing of their own experiences in dealing with cancer. More importantly practical advise was given. The Lord is gracious and continues to hear and to heal. We heard from Pam, David Notrhs" mom on his recovery ( he is doing quite well), from Paul and Dianne on developments with their son Travis. Again if you were not able to attend, please remember we work outside the meetings. But thanks for your support and participation and Anita for leading the sharing sessions.

Meeting Update for July 22, 2007
What a testimony of what the Lord does in the lives of those who truly set their hope in Him. The scriptures declare that Jesus our High Priest is intimately aware of our infirmities and intercedes to our Heavenly Father on our behalf. Sue one of our support core members gave a breath-taking testimony of her ordeal with cancer and how the Lord carried her through this.. She shared about her steadfast faith in the Lord, the episodes of cancers that her siblings experienced and the natural fear and anxiety brought about by the onslaught of cancer. However with all she went through the Lord's hand was mighty upon her. She reminded us that the Lord uses people, medicine, health care providers all as tools in His hands to bring about healing. Her testimony of personal faith and trust in the power and faithfulness of the Lord was strong medicine for all in attendance. One remarkable source of encouragement for her was the fervent prayer support she received from close friends, especially her Sunday School Class. If you missed this testimony, then we can arrange to have Sue share again. She is now an evangelist for the Lord in encouraging others to maintain their faith and trust in the Lord during their episodes with cancer.

Meeting Update for July 8, 2007
Angelo Rizzo's presentation on "Managing Fatigue resulting from Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy" was tremendous. The information presented was so powerful and informative that we are planning on having Angelo present this at a later date, when we can have a larger audience. One does not fully appreciate the importance of exercise generally, however as Angelo pointed from his presentation, neglecting exercise during cancer treatment makes the person more fatigued and exacerbate the negative impact of cancer on a person. One of the interesting citings, based on research by some reputable organizations, is that over 50% of patients diagnosed with breast cancer who perform regular exercise during treatment increase their survival rate. The role of exercise to handle fatigue in cancer patients is still a hidden secret, but the news is starting to get out. Angelo is trained physical therapist specializing in the field of oncology. Thanks Angelo for a most impressive presentation. We do not have to give up the fight with cancer, and medicine is not the only cure, exercise has a part to play. If you want to learn more on the topic please use the comments area below.

P.S. Please be on the lookout for the presentation as an attachment to this page, or a page of its own.

CC Assessor Training Meeting- June 24, 2007
Footnotes from the Cancer Care Assessor Training Session
In lieu of our regular support meeting we participated in the Cancer Care Assessor Training session.
We had seven persons in attendance at the CC Assessor Training session hosted by Sara Bazemore from Cannon Methodist Church at their House of Hope facility. The session was extremely informational and useful in alerting us to the diverse needs and particularities that we need to be aware of as we plan to minister to those impacted by cancer. Special thanks to John, for taking out time of his very busy schedule to be there for the meeting. At the Hope House, a team of volunteers design and construct stuffed teddy bears that are used as tangible symbols of prayer care for those who have been impacted by cancer. The use of the bears serves a tacit reminder that these persons are being prayed for. We expect that as a ministry prayer will and always will be a key cornerstone for the ministry. Thanks to all those who were in attendance.

Meeting Update for June 10, 2007
Special thanks to those of you who came out to our second meeting on Sunday, June 10, 2007. The meeting was very sobering and reflective. We were able to share on the impact of cancer to care providers in families. This was one area that is often overlooked as persons seek to provide care and support for the person who is diagnosed with cancer. It is important to provide support also for those who are closest to those suffering from cancer. This includes the spouses, children and siblings. Ann shared on Prayer Bearers. What is a prayer bearer you ask? These are bears to be given out to CCR , to give them a tangible reminder that they are being prayed for.

Reflections and Exploratons

javalont — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:45:17 CDT

Use this page to share your thoughts and reflections on cancer. Include items such as poetry, psalms, songs, oral readings. Anything that may uplift others.

It is well with my soul: Words of the famous hymn reminding us of the Lord's dominance in a world of tragedy.

His eye is on the sparrow: A hymn of hope and trust in the Lord.

Life is more than living: A poem on the true meaning of life

Inscribed Name: Artwork by Jeff Yero that tells us that the Lord has written our names in the palm of His hand.

This is my body: Artwork by Jeff Yero depicting the bread of the Holy Communion. A reminder that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ had His body broken such we can be saved and made whole.

The seasons of living: Powerpoint presentation on the seasons of life and how we can use our experiences to encourage others.

Seasons of Living

javalont — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:44:35 CDT

PowerPoint presentation on the seasons of living. Reminders on how we can serve others while trusting in the Lord. Click on the attachment below and enjoy.

Visitation

javalont — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:42:22 CDT

This page provides a listing of those who are willing to visit Cancer Care Recipients (CCR) either at home or hospital. Please feel free to add or change your preference as you see fit.

Hospital Visitation

Team Member	Hospital
Sue	Northside (on weekends), Eastside, Gwinnett Medical Center
Anita	Eastside, Gwinnett Medical Center, Joan Glancy Medical Center
Jane	VA, Emory, Egleston
Glenn	Emory, Eastside, Dekalb Medical, Gwinnett Medical Center, Northside (weekends)
Ann	Northside, Emory

Care Team Page

javalont — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:26:00 CDT

This page is dedicated to the GCC Care Providers. Use this to share tips, opportunities to serve or any other relevant information.

Tony Snow's Story

javalont — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:00:56 CST

This is an outstanding testimony from Tony Snow, President Bush's Press Secretary, and his fight with cancer. Commentator and broadcaster Tony Snow announced that he had colon cancer in 2005. Following surgery and chemo-therapy, Snow joined the Bush Administration in April 2006 as press secretary. Unfortunately, on March 23, 2007, Snow, 51, a husband and father of three, announced the cancer had recurred, with tumors found in his abdomen,- leading to surgery in April, followed by more chemotherapy. Snow went back to work in the White House Briefing Room on May 30, but has resigned since, 'for economic reasons,' and to pursue ' other interests.'It needs little intro... it speaks for itself.
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'Blessings arrive in unexpected packages, - in my case, cancer. Those of us with potentially fatal diseases - and there are millions in America today - find ourselves in the odd position of coping with our mortality while trying to fathom God's will. Although it would be the height of presumption to declare with confidence 'What It All Means,' Scripture provides powerful hints and consolations.

The first is that we shouldn't spend too much time trying to answer the 'why' questions: Why me? Why must people suffer? Why can't someone else get sick? We can't answer such things, and the questions themselves often are designed more to express our anguish than to solicit an answer.

I don't know why I have cancer, and I don't much care. It is what it is, a plain and indisputable fact. Yet even while staring into a mirror darkly, great and stunning truths begin to take shape. Our maladies define a central feature of our existence: We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies give out.

But despite this, - or because of it, - God offers the possibility of salvation and grace. We don't know how the narrative of our lives will end, but we get to choose how to use the interval between now and the moment we meet our Creator face-to-face.

Second, we need to get past the anxiety. The mere thought of dying can send adrenaline flooding through your system. A dizzy, unfocused panic seizes you. Your heart thumps; your head swims. You think of nothingness and swoon. You fear partings; you worry about the impact on family and friends. You fidget and get nowhere.

To regain footing, remember that we were born not into death, but into life,- and that the journey continues after we have finished our days on this earth. We accept this on faith, but that faith is nourished by a conviction that stirs even within many non believing hearts - an intuition that the gift of life, once given, cannot be taken away. Those who have been stricken enjoy the special privilege of being able to fight with their might, main, and faith to live fully, richly, exuberantly - no matter how their days may be numbered.

Third, we can open our eyes and hearts. God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease,- smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see, - but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance; and comprehension - and yet don't. By His love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise.

'You Have Been Called'. Picture yourself in a hospital bed. The fog of anesthesia has begun to wear away. A doctor stands at your feet, a loved one holds your hand at the side. 'It's cancer,' the healer announces.

The natural reaction is to turn to God and ask him to serve as a cosmic Santa. 'Dear God, make it all go away. Make everything simpler.' But another voice whispers: 'You have been called.' Your quandary has drawn you closer to God, closer to those you love, closer to the issues that matter,- and has dragged into insignificance the banal concerns that occupy our 'normal time.'

There's another kind of response, although usually short-lived an inexplicable shudder of excitement, as if a clarifying moment of calamity has swept away everything trivial and tiny, and placed before us the challenge of important questions.

The moment you enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death, things change. You discover that Christianity is not something doughy, passive, pious, and soft. Faith may be the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But it also draws you into a world shorn of fearful caution. The life of belief teems with thrills, boldness, danger, shocks, reversals, triumphs, and epiphanies. Think of Paul, traipsing through the known world and contemplating trips to what must have seemed the antipodes (Spain), shaking the dust from his sandals, worrying not about the morrow, but only about the moment.

There's nothing wilder than a life of humble virtue, - for it is through selflessness and service that God wrings from our bodies and spirits the most we ever could give, the most we ever could offer, and the most we ever could do.

Finally, we can let love change everything. When Jesus was faced with the prospect of crucifixion, he grieved not for himself, but for us. He cried for Jerusalem before entering the holy city. From the Cross, he took on the cumulative burden of human sin and weakness, and begged for forgiveness on our behalf.

We get repeated chances to learn that life is not about us, that we acquire purpose and satisfaction by sharing in God's love for others. Sickness gets us part way there. It reminds us of our limitations and dependence. But it also gives us a chance to serve the healthy. A minister friend of mine observes that people suffering grave afflictions often acquire the faith of two people, while loved ones accept the burden of two peoples' worries and fears.

'Learning How to Live'. Most of us have watched friends as they drifted toward God's arms, not with resignation, but with peace and hope. In so doing, they have taught us not how to die, but how to live. They have emulated Christ by transmitting the power and authority of love.

I sat by my best friend's bedside a few years ago as a wasting cancer took him away. He kept at his table a worn Bible and a 1928 edition of the Book of Common Prayer. A shattering grief disabled his family, many of his old friends, and at least one priest. Here was an humble and very good guy, someone who apologized when he winced with pain because he thought it made his guest uncomfortable. He retained his equanimity and good humor literally until his last conscious moment. 'I'm going to try to beat [this cancer],' he told me several months before he died. 'But if I don't, I'll see you on the other side.'

His gift was to remind everyone around him that even though God doesn't promise us tomorrow, he does promise us eternity, - filled with life and love we cannot comprehend, - and that one can in the throes of sickness point the rest of us toward timeless truths that will help us weather future storms.

Through such trials, God bids us to choose: Do we believe, or do we not? Will we be bold enough to love, daring enough to serve, humble enough to submit, and strong enough to acknowledge our limitations? Can we surrender our concern in things that don't matter so that we might devote our remaining days to things that do?

When our faith flags, he throws reminders in our way. Think of the prayer warriors in our midst. They change things, and those of us who have been on the receiving end of their petitions and intercessions know it. It is hard to describe, but there are times when suddenly the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and you feel a surge of the Spirit. Somehow you just know: Others have chosen, when talking to the Author of all creation, to lift us up, - to speak of us!

This is love of a very special order. But so is the ability to sit back and appreciate the wonder of every created thing. The mere thought of death somehow makes every blessing vivid, every happiness more luminous and intense. We may not know how our contest with sickness will end, but we have felt the ineluctable touch of God.

What is man that Thou art mindful of him? We don't know much, but we know this: No matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects, each and every one of us who believe, each and every day, lies in the same safe and impregnable place, in the hollow of God's hand.'
T. Snow

Food and Cancer

javalont — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:23:50 CST

The following was provided courtesy of John Hopkins

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY
(TRY THE KEY WORD) AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHN HOPKINS IS FINALLY
STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY . This is an amazing article
that will encourage and inform anyone you know who might be dealing with these
issues.

Cancer Update from John Hopkins

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not
show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When
doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their
bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer
cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's
lifetime

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be
destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple
nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food
and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and
including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and
also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-
intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart,
lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and
damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce
tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result
in more tumor destruction.

9 When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and
radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the
person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and
become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells
to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by
not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one
important food supply to the cancer cells.
Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with
Aspartame and it is harmful.
A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only
in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in
color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-
intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting
with unsweetened soya milk cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is
acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or
pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites,
which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds,
nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About
20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide
live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within
15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live
enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most
vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a
day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green
tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water is best,
drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in
tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive
enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads
to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from
or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer
cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence,
Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own
killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are
known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of
disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and
positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger,
unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic
environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and
enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising
daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level.
Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

(PLEASE FORWARD IT TO PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT)

CANCER UPDATE FROM JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL, U S - PLEASE READ

1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters.
This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
as well.
Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer.
Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies.
Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases
dioxins from the plastic.
Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle
Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about
dioxins and how bad they are for us.. He said that we should not be heating our
food in the microwave using plastic containers.
This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the
combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and
ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such
as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same
results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen
and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something
else.
Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just
safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago
some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper.
The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.
Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as
dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is
nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the
plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.
This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your
life.

The joy of comfort

javalont — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:25:55 CST

Can there be comfort without pain?

We are living proof that the world we live in is broken. Our bodies are engineered with untold millions of nerves to detect pain, to alert us to the knowledge that something is amiss, that something is out of balance. The Lord God, as the supreme engineer wired our bodies with these nerve endings to alert us when our bodies are out of alignment with tHis operational standard. Physical pain is indeed a wonderful thing to alert us when something is wrong in the body, but this is also true of our emotions and our spirits. God in His wisdom, crafted us with indicators in our emotions and our spirits to alert us when we are are out of alignment with His standard. The fact that we live in a fallen and broken world, surroundedby agents of change (accidents, violence, attacks, deaths, sicknesses etc) means we are all exposed and will become victims of agents resulting in pain.

How does the child of God deal with such pain, tragedies and losses? How do we rise above the agony of the pain?

First we must recognize that "bad" things happen to us. The child of God is not exempt from the tragedies and heartaches of this life. Jesus reminds us that God our Father allows the rain to fall on the just and the unjust, the sun to shine on just and the unjust. (Matthew 5: 45 He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous-NIV). We are not exempt from suffering.

Jesus again tells us that in this world we will have trouble. John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV)

So if suffering, pain, trials and tribulations are part of the package, and is common to all man, the question must be then, how should we conduct ourselves as we go through the pain? What good can come of the pain?
Here Paul provides a response to this question as to the purpose and the oucome..

Paul painted a wonderful picture on the attitude of suffering and the power of comfort that results from those suffering. I will let the Scripture speak for itself.

The following passage is from 2 Corinthians 1: 3-11 (NIV)

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our[a] behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

I like to think that life is indeed a bed of roses, that is the thorns are to be used as rungs in a ladder to reach the petals of God's desire and potential for us.

Other verses on comforting: All references are from the NIV

True friends comfort each other
Job 2:11
When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.
Job 42:11
All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
John 11:19
And many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.

The Lord delights in comforting us
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Isaiah 51:12
"I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass,
2 Corinthians 7:6
But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

God comforts us that we may in turn comfort others
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
2 Corinthians 1:6
If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

God promises comfort to those that are hurting
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Isaiah 49:13
Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Ashley's Update

javalont — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 10:22:18 CST

The updates are provided by Ashley's Mom, Melanie. Both John and Melanie's desire is that the information provided will glorify the Lord and others will be blessed as a result.

Wednesday, January, 23
Ahsley is home with the Lord.
12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. I Corinthians 13:12

Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Good morning,

Ashley and I have finally received rest after two long nights. She is still resting so I came to the teen room to send this update.

I read a perfect quote yesterday. It was spoken by Winston Churchill during World War II. Since we are battling a war, I found it most appropriate and encouraging. He said "Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never - nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in, except to conviction of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

Jesus himself never gave up and He is my perfect example. We will continue to hold fast to Christ through perseverance and we will not be overcome.

I look forward to how God will show Himself today on Ashley's behalf. We cling to the Almighty God who has power to perform miracles and who is in control. May we obediently walk according to the Spirit and find victory.

God bless,
Melanie

Monday January 21, 2008
Ashley's abdomen is very swollen w/the tumor. She continues to receive strong pain medicine. She is also on oxygen. The oncologist will be back tomorrow to discuss available options. I spoke w/one of the doctors today and reviewed the CT scan myself. Our goal is to make her as comfortable as possible.

We spent time talking today and she is very discouraged that she went through major surgery and the tumors are back. I have cried most of the day in total disbelief myself. I was unable to hold back the tears like I normally do when I am around her.

We appreciate our privacy while we are here at Egleston. We hope to go home tomorrow, although we will probably require some home health assistance.

Love to you all,
Melanie

(Written by her mom, Melanie)

Sunday, January 20, 2008
Dear Friends and Family,

In Atlanta yesterday, the weather forecast was 100% snow! I thought the girls and I would enjoy watching the snow fall all afternoon because we have a lot of windows across the back of our home. And while watching the snow, why not some hot chocolate loaded w/marshmallows? Well, the day started off fun, but ended up much different.

Ashley woke up yesterday not feeling well. By early afternoon, her pain was not responding to Motrin and her heart was beating fast. I also noticed that her abdomen area was swollen. At 3:30pm we left for the ER to have her checked. A CT scan was completed about 11:30pm and the doctors found her liver has developed tumors. The reason for the discomfort is the tumors are working in a liver that is trying to recover. Her left shoulder is also experiencing pain. She had to be treated w/strong pain relievers during the night. We were finally taken to a room around 4:30am. The staff is trying to get her pain under control and hopefully we will be able to go home this evening. Please pray for her release tonight so she can get better rest at home.

Last week when she experienced high fevers, all of her blood levels were fine. Last night the liver test was elevated. I talked to the doctor about why the sudden change, and he explained how fast the tumors grow with this type of condition.

Tomorrow she is scheduled at 10:00 to begin her immune therapy, and I am so excited about getting her back on track with nutrition and integrated medicine to bring healing to her body.

We will continue forward expecting God to intervene in miraculous ways which will be beyond our understanding.

Honestly, Ashley needs your prayers as much now as ever. Thank you for continuing to lift her up.

God bless,
Melanie

January 13, 2008

Written by Melanie Averill (Ashley's mom):

Good Morning Friends,

She has continued a low fever for most of the week. Friday morning she was off to a great start. I was so refreshed to see her work on school assignments all morning. She also laughed w/her sister. After a late lunch, the girls and I worked on a crossword puzzle and the day was less stressful and enjoyable. After Ashley's nap, she commented she was not feeling well and she was running a low grade fever again.

At 6pm, John and I had a conference call w/a doctor from Oasis of Hope. They have a very comprehensive healing program. The facility will house 60 patients and their companions. Right now, they have a room available for Ashley. Patients begin their treatment w/an initial 18 day stay. Not only are the patients nourished, they attend classes and various programs to help them w/their illness. They even have companion support groups which is very appealing to me. Children are admitted and are cared for individually by a group of doctors. With Ashley's condition, one challenge we have faced is the adult oncologist who work w/her specific type do not take patients under 18 years old. The doctor at Oasis commented like all other doctors about how rare her condition is for a 13 year old girl.

At 7pm, I attended a Girl Scout cookie meeting to obtain the paperwork for Madison to begin selling cookies on Friday, 1/18. When I returned home shortly after 7:30pm, Ashley was curled up in a ball position and her fever was now 103.7. John had called the doctor. I placed her in a bath tub to bring relief.

At 8:30pm, Ashley and I were on our way to Egleston ER for another round of test. Flexibility is the key to our lives...Girl Scouts one minute, ER the next. When we visited on Tuesday, our visit was fairly quick and easy. At the time we arrived on Friday, three trauma patients had arrived and the wait time had been extended. I truly understand the trauma cases because three months ago, Ashley was in the trauma room with about 15 people surrounding her with each person working diligently to stabilize her condition. Anyway, her oncology status placed us at the top of the list and we were assigned a room immediately. The room was big w/two beds. Since I am becoming familiar with this kind of schedule, I went prepared wearing comfy warm clothes and we took two travel pillows. Ashley took one bed and I took the other one. We got blankets and camped out watching TV until the nurse finally came in at 12:30am to begin Ashley's treatment. It was simple but because of the traumas, we were delayed getting home. I made a quick drivethorugh at Krystal on the way home and we finally settled into our beds at 4am. Her tests continue to show negative results and the doctor has informed us to treat the symptoms w/Motrin. Her fever is the only symptom.

To end a sluggish Saturday, we made last minute dinner plans with precious friends. The fun, food and fellowship was exactly what we needed. We love you Mark, Tracey, and Emily. William, we missed you and we love you too!

Ashley woke at 4:30am with another fever and went back to sleep.

Tomorrow, we have an appointment at 2pm w/a doctor at Covenant Health Clinic in Roswell. He treats patients with a more comprehensive style to include immune system building, etc.

Recently, I have been reminded to take the manna God gives me and live only for that day. When the Israelites gathered their manna every morning, they always gathered as much as they needed. Some ignored Moses' instructions and gathered more then they needed and the manna rotted. (Exodus 16) In my Bible, I have written the manna test was not intended for failure but to know God. When the manna went bad because of not believing God would provide enough for the next day, it reminds me God is in charge. I find myself wanting more than I have today, but I must live on my daily manna and wait on Him the provide what I need on a daily basis.

Decmber 20, 2007

Written by her mom, Melanie

I apologize for long delay in updating the care page. Ashley did have her tube removed on Friday and she has progressed really well without it. She is moving around w/much more ease. Last night she slept in her own bed! She is able to climb stairs and was ready to be in her room after being out of her own bed for a month. I enjoyed being in my bed as well after being absent from it for a month also.

I did not update the care page often last week because it was just one of those weeks where we were experiencing our lives as a roller coaster. The news I am about to share is old news, however, it is part of our journey so I thought I would share it. Sunday evening before last Ashley and I were up most of the night trying to get her comfortable. Needless to say, Monday afternoon we both took a long nap.

Last week you could say that all four of us took turns having emotional breakdowns. My day was Tuesday. I cried all day long. I cried everyday, but Tuesday was the day the emotions would not stop. Madison sat in front of me Tuesday night and cried for almost an hour. Her heart was so heavy from all the changes we have experienced over the past two months. Her heart was in the right place trying to understand Ashley's sudden illness, however, she had to let go of her feelings about how she was feeling about it had affected our home life. She is still a very secure young girl and I am thankful she can release her emotions which I think is important. It seemed every time I looked at John his eyes were red. We were all a mess!

In addition to crying a lot, all four of us took turns venting our frustrations as well. By Friday morning at 9:30am, we literally stopped what we were doing and gathered around our casual dining table. We focused on I Samuel 16:7 "...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." We all had to examine our hearts and talk about how to face our challenges with a better attitude.

Our week started off better by enjoying some holiday fun. Ashley told me that I needed to get going on my holiday shopping which I have tried to accomplish. It is Wednesday and I am exhausted, but making progress.

Dr. Katzenstein has made contact with the NCI, National Institute, regarding Ashley's enrollment in a clinical trial. The latest and greatest treatment for Ashley's condition is a medicine called Nexavar. It was approved for adults about 3-4 months ago, however, it is not approved for pediatric dosages. Therefore, in order for Ashley to receive the treatment, she must be placed in a clinical trial. If accepted, we will travel to Bethesda, Maryland for treatments. Specific prayer requests are as follows:

* She is tapering off her blood pressure/heart rate medication which will allow her to be accepted in the trial. Pray her vital signs will be normal without medication.

* Continued healing from surgery.

* She took a 3 hour nap today and is complaining of being sluggish. I am having to watch her closely for other symptoms. She did not have much of an appetite at dinner.

We have discovered a health drink called Goji juice. It appears to bring great results to your overall health. Ashley is drinking it twice a day. I can elaborate on our findings in another update. We pray this juice will bring healing to her body and that the bead like tumors in her lungs will respond and dissolve. Now that would be a miracle! (A gov't report indicated positive results w/tumors as John researched this product.)

We have received Christmas cards with very thoughtful messages and pictures of all our beautiful friends. Thank you for including our family on your card list.

I must go for now. Thank you for taking time to pray for Ashley during this busy time of year.

Love,
Melanie