The Beginning of the End

June 21, 2011

 Tomorrow is the beginning of the end of Dennis’ cancer treatment. He will begin chemotherapy in the morning. This will be four cycles that will include an infusion on Wednesday; coming home with a pump; and returning on Friday to have the pump removed; and then no chemo for 10 days. So again, it ends up being every other week. This will last for 6 ½ weeks; ending the first week of August. Because he has responded so well to all the treatment, the oncologist is reducing the chemo a bit to help minimize the side effects. (Dennis has been having numbness and tenderness in his feet from the previous chemo treatments.)

 While the numbness and tenderness are uncomfortable, overall Dennis is doing well. He is healing well and feeling stronger every day. He was able to attend Ellie’s last day of school Chapel last Thursday and even spoke briefly about his cancer journey. Friday night he was able to attend Josh’s kindergarten promotion and Sunday he went to church with us. Dennis has been walking most mornings as well.

 During worship on Sunday we sang “Your Love Never Fails”. I found myself getting a bit emotional over the words to the song. We have had raging ocean moments and felt at times like things were stronger and deeper than we could manage. And while we wondered if we could make it beyond the difficulties, God’s love didn’t fail us and He has certainly worked all things together for our good.

 We enter this last phase of treatment knowing that God is with us. And while we expect it to be fairly easy to deal with, we know that the unexpected can always rise up before us. So we also go into it asking for prayer to cover us for whatever may be ahead.

 We would appreciate prayer for Dennis to handle the chemotherapy well; for the numbness and tenderness in his feet not to worsen; for safety in travel to and from UCI; and for flexible spirits in our children as this summer will not be the same as summers past.

 Thank you doesn’t seem enough, but we are grateful for your prayers on our behalf.
Carolyn

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