Cancer is a funny thing because no matter how many people have had it before you, each person's journey is unique to them. There are no books, no answers, and sometimes no explanations. It's quite possibly the most frustrating thing to deal with! Now that that's out of the way...Jonathan's new tumor marker number is 38, which means it went up a little bit from 23. The frustrating part is the doctor doesn't know why. There could be a number of different reasons why, but we do not know for sure. It could be the cancer is being very stubborn, a false reading from the chemo (which has happened before but we did not share), a dead tumor leaking the traceable hormone, or an active tumor. There are still tumors in all the original locations (smaller but still there), so it's impossible to know who the culprit could be, but it seems like Dr. Tu suspects the liver. He is talking about a few different options for moving forward, but for the immediate time, Jonathan is going in tomorrow for another round of ATP which he has had before. Its a 1 day treatment each week for 3 weeks. He opted to have it in-patient this time (I think he likes the attention from the nurses..he's definitely a favorite!). We can handle 1 night in the hospital..we're pros!
We did not receive 'terrible' news today, but I would be lying if I said we aren't disappointed, frustrated, sad, etc. This is a journey, there will be bumps in the road, but we will overcome them!! Please continue praying for Jonathan's complete healing and for 'zero'! We appreciate all your love and support!
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalm 34:17 Thank you God for your promises! Tomorrow is a new day!
With love,
Lindsey
Thanks for updating us!!! ... We will continue to pray & believe!!! ... Nothing is impossible with God!!! ... Love you & know God's going to give you extra Grace & peace to walk through this healing journey!!! <3
ReplyDeleteYes Lindsey, thanks for the update!! When you walk the path of TRUST, you live above your circumstances!!
ReplyDeleteProverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Relying on our own understanding will weigh us down but relying on Him and His promises will carry us through. Rejoice as Jesus our Healer continues to touch Jonathan's body. I pray right now that you would be refreshed and that you both are filled with yet another measure of FAITH. Faith is the vehicle on which a promise rides. Regardless of what you see, Jesus bore the 39 stripes for such a time as this, so that Jonathan would be made whole!!! He had Jonathan on His mind and in His heart that day as he suffered.
I'm standing in FAITH with y'all and with the many others that are faithfully praying for Jonathan's wholeness!! Amen!!
Love You,
Ms. Tammy
Break out the boxing gloves ....Don't give up the fight! You both are in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteLove, Stephanie
I love your honesty; yes cancer is unique to each individual just as God created us each differently, cancer attacks us each differently. Sometimes I wish that wasn't the case because it would be nice to hear a doctor give a difinitive answer to a simple question--What is going on in my body? Unfortunately, as my oncologist told me recently, "If she had a crystal ball she wouldn't come to work!" That is why prayer is so important because we are able to direct our prayers. No, we may not have a crystal ball but we do have the promises of God! I pray for you and Jonathan always and I love you two. God has a lot of great things ahead for both of you, this is just a dot on the timeline of your life. You will get past this time and God will use your experiences to touch others! Pastor Steve said something Sunday that just went right into my heart, "He not longer says life happens to him but rather life happens FOR him." I love that and that is truly the way to walk through life! God is Good!!!
ReplyDeleteLove you both,
Ms. Penny - fellow sojourner
Lindsey, our heart and prayers go out to you and Jonathan and the whole family. Please let us know how we can help. Seriously. Jon Scott
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. I know all of us "warriors" were HAPPILY getting used to the tumor markers going down each time they were being tested. I had it figured out that they would just keep going down until it hit our favorite number.....ZERO! But God has another plan. It's a good lesson for all of us that we can't even begin to understand His ways and His plans...but we have to keep TRUSTING in it. I know this path has been a steep one...but you have done so well! I'm so very, very proud of you. You are my hero! Prayers continue for your strength...a peace that passes all understanding...and of course for a complete healing in your body! ZERO is still my favorite number!!!! Love ya lots!
ReplyDeleteLee, here.....I just ran across a book, "The Bumps Are What You Climb On" by Warren Wiersbe....In it he says, " Sometimes the road is level and easy.....but sometimes the road is rocky and bumpy....but that is not the time to give up! That's the time to remember God's promise...."For He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways... God's invisible army is at your service and God can see you through !" ......LOOK TO JESUS AND KEEP ON TRUSTING ! Love you......Lee
ReplyDeleteLindsey, The Boudreaux family is praying for you. You are in my thoughts often. We will be back in Houston in a couple of months and will try to hook up with you all. God bless you both.
ReplyDeleteKelly and Boosey
I don't think the word "INSPIRATION" is strong enough to describe Lindsey and Jonathan. I'm amazed by the strength, determination, and sheer positivity in which you both tackle this each day. Prayers are plentiful!
ReplyDeletequote from Myra that I stare at EVERY day!: "Tough TIMES never last. Tough PEOPLE do!"
sending my love!
-Jenni D-
Hey Jonathan, we've been keeping up with your journey and want you to know that we're still praying hard... every day. Lena always (and I mean always) remembers to "thank God for Jonathan and help him feel better." We're still rooting you on from the mountain top. Don't know why you were on my mind specifically tonight, but God just told me to shoot you and encouraging word. So I hope you're encouraged, my friend. We love you and will continue to pray specifically for your healing.
ReplyDeleteSara and Don
Jonathan and family, I just want you to know that you were asked about again tonight at Church. When asked I try to give the information that I read on this blog or that Gail sends every once in a while via the school's e-mail.
ReplyDeleteI believe your mom's co-workers at the Primary School have set up a Relay for Life team in your name. (Felt like I needed to let you know that in case you didn't already know.)
You (and your family) are loved and thought about quite frequently! Keep thinking positive thoughts!
D.Grmela
Soooooo - I have been thinking about Jonathan and his recent journey and struggle and a story that I recently read came to mind. It was a story about how Robin Roberts "Didn't just beat Cancer, but Kicked it's Butt". I was hesitant to add this to your blog, but thought it important to send words of support and strength for you to "KICK CANCER'S BUTT BUBBA!"
ReplyDeleteAlso, I had an idea - I remembered something I used to do years ago almost every day in Karate. Our class began with sitting in silence and meditating. We would sit cross-legged with straight backs on the floor, palms up and eyes closed. We would clear our minds of anything that did not promote the positive and healing union of mind, body and soul. We would practice an ancient form of Korean meditation translated as "double breathing". The idea is to breathe slowly in - visualizing your breath pulling new fresh air through your sit bone and as it passes through your body - it pulls aaaaaallllll the yucky stuff out as you exhale. Inhale - good, exhale - yuck. So perhaps the next time you find yourself sitting still, you could try it.
Inhale-good, exhale-yuck.
Lastly, I read this amazing book called "Kinship with All Life" by J. Allen Boone. Profound stories of our connection with other living creatures. So if the meditation doesn't do the trick, you can always talk to the horses. They are remarkably sensitive and intuitive creatures. You never know, grace can be found sometimes in the most unlikely places.
Peace, grounding and miraculous healing to you my friend Jonathan, the Bright Light.
Our MOPS group of women have been praying for you for the past 8 months and we will continue to do so, for healing and peace. God bless you during this time.
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