Report from Baltimore

We’ve had a mixed bag today.

On the good side, our appointment with Dr. Zheng went very well. He outlined three different chemo regimens that their research has found was much more effective than the treatment we thought we were going to receive. A significantly higher number of patients respond to these methods than the single chemo drug. Moreover, he was encouraged because of Teresa’s good health (other than the cancer). These treatments will have more side effects but the upside certainly outweighs those. Dr. Zheng planned to call Dr. Young in MS to discuss the options and we anticipate that will begin chemo at the first of the week. All treatments will be in MS.

On the downside, Teresa has had a great deal of pain today. Dr. Zheng encouraged her to discuss a different, stronger pain medication with Dr. Young. Getting the pain under control will do so much for her in so many ways physically, mentally and emotionally.

On top of all of this, Teresa’s father went to the emergency room last night and has been admitted with an intestinal blockage. CT scan was clear so they are not sure what is causing it. So please pray for Mr. George.

We will be returning home Saturday afternoon. We are looking forward to hugging Alfie and sleeping in our own bed.

We value and covet your continued prayers. They are what sustain us and also what move the Heart of the Father. Your faithfulness is being rewarded.

In Baltimore

We’ve arrived in Baltimore MD and are resting in the hotel after an uneventful flight. We will be meeting with Dr Lei Zheng tomorrow at 11 AM ET. He is one of the leading researchers at Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Only the LORD could orchestrate an appointment like this so quickly and we are so thankful for our friend Peggy Howard who was the impetus for this. Our son Chris is flying up tonight to meet us and provide a much needed additional set of eyes and ears to all that we’ll see and hear.

We have no idea what tomorrow holds. So here are some specific prayer requests:

• That Teresa will rest well tonight
• That any anxiety or worry will be taken away
• That Dr Zheng and his staff will have wisdom
• That Teresa, Chris and I will have wisdom and peace for any decisions that we have to make
• That Jesus will be glorified through our thoughts, words, actions and attitudes

That’s it for now. Keep praying. The nation of Israel has now represented in our prayer covering.

Prayers Around the World

As part of our battle against the plans of our enemy, we have contacted many friends who have been mobilizing prayer around the world. We've received news of prayers in South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique in Africa, Peru, Brazil and Honduras in South America, Spain in Europe and Cambodia in Asia.

And of course so many people in North America have been emailing and texting us, sending us messages on Facebook, tweeting us and commenting on this blog.

The prayers are deeply felt in our spirits and we draw physical, emotional and spiritual strength from all of them.

And God Himself is mobilizing prayer in some unexpected places. A couple that served with us in Africa now live in Atlanta and her father is part of a prison ministry at Angola Penitentiary in Louisiana. I received this text message yesterday.

"Mary's Dad was at Angola Prison today visiting friends there. He has all of the believing prayer warriors on death row praying for Teresa. Those guys pray with fire!"

Wow! Wow! The Body of Christ in full force! You cannot help but be excited about what the LORD is willing to do when His Bride sets its collective heart on Him!

So Keep Praying!

First Visit with Oncologist

We spent Friday morning steeling our minds and our hearts for our first visit with the oncologist. After visits with our surgeon, terms like "bad diagnosis" and "worst case scenario" had framed our thinking. But as we entered the offices, a peace swept over us.

We loved our doctor. She was matter-of-fact but not negative. She described Teresa's disease and said it was not curable. She did tell us that the chemo protocol for this type of tumor was universal and typically the disease did respond to treatment. At some point, the tumor would become resistant to the chemo and we would then have to switch protocols. That's the report in the "natural". However, in the Kingdom of God, the Word of the LORD is the only one that counts. Read Psalm 41:1-3. That's my God.

Our doctor also encouraged us to pursue our appointment at Johns Hopkins on Friday June 29. She was more than happy to work with the research physicians there. That was more encouragement. So we'll take that appointment and then begin chemo treatments on Monday July 2. We will have 1 treatment a week for three weeks and then have a week off. We will have 9 treatments total then we will do another scan and evaluate where we are.

We are also working different things for pain management. We'll keep you posted on that progress. The doctor said there was really no reason Teresa had to deal with any severe pain. They could manage it.

So specific prayer requests:
1. That we will qualify for an advanced clinical trial at Johns Hopkins.
2. That the pain medications will have the desired effect while allowing her to live normally
3. That Teresa's body functions will regain balance
4. Of course, that Jehovah Rapha will heal her completely of cancer
5. That HIS NAME will be made famous in the lives of everyone we meet

We love you all. The Body of Christ is fighting this together and I'm so excited to see what work HE brings in all of our lives as we walk this out.

Your prayers are our best medicine, so keep them up.

We love you all.

Steve

"We are pressed but crushed, persecuted not abandoned. Struck down but not destroyed. We are blessed beyond the curse for HIS PROMISES endure and HIS JOY is going to be my strength. Though sorrows may last for the night HIS JOY comes in the morning."

Praises and Prayer

We have a huge praise today. Because God never wastes any relationships, a friend of my mother has managed to cut through the red tape and get us an appointment at Johns Hopkins Pancreatic Cancer Research Center in Baltimore MD. We will be meeting with  Dr. Lei Zheng, the physician who is one of the leading researchers.

Another praise is that Alfie will be home from Birmingham tonight. The house has simply been way too quiet with him gone. We love our little man so, so much and cannot wait to hold him. He brings such joy to our lives.

Also, please pray for us as we have our initial visit with Dr. Tammy Young, our oncologist tomorrow. We really want to begin chemo by Monday so Teresa can be a few days beyond it when we travel to Baltimore.

We feel all of the prayers. They are our best medicine. Trust the LORD with us and for us. He is a good God. He gives perfect Love. We will be victorious in Him.