Karen and I are so thankful for the many gifts, offers of support, and kindness that many have shown. Situations like this truly put the body of Christ to the test - and it wins every time. Thank you so much!
Thursday the 25th is the day Karen will begin chemotherapy at Methodist Hospital. She spends a few hours on Thursday, takes home a pump with her that continues all the way through Friday, then Friday the more difficult treatment - the chemotherapy into the abdomen which is specifically targeting the cancer cells found in the abdominal wall. So far, this has seemed pretty surreal - other than Karen having her hair cut short to prepare psychologically for losing her beautiful blond hair, life has seemed pretty normal.
I wish I knew what to say or what to expect, when I have no idea. And what about our girls? Kylie is 12 and Shelby is 11. On August 28, I told them this is awful for them, being so young and having to deal with their parents' health issues but this is what God is calling them to deal with now. We can only do this a day at a time. Just like Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount, do not worry about tomorrow - each day has enough trouble of its own. Only times have changed since 2000 years ago. There was still stress. It was just distributed differently.
My sister Laura told us about a clinical trial she heard about at Mayo Clinic which we pursued, unsuccessfully, this week. Mayo is testing a new chemotherapy drug that cuts off the blood supply to tumors. Karen didn't qualify because she had no residual disease or tumors after her August 28 surgery. So she is proceeding at Methodist Hospital.
The staff at Park Nicollet has been working with us on paying the bills so far. Our dear friend Nicole Sanders has planned a benefit/silent auction on January 27 and tickets will be available soon for it - watch this space. Our former church, Berean Baptist Church, is giving us $3000 toward starting the chemotherapy. Every way we look, we see His hand moving.
This is not to say there is not fear or tears. There are plenty of those. My prayer requests for the many of you are these: 1) for Karen, as she begins - that God will in His grace make the chemotherapy bearable for her and strengthen her body (she has started this process with many vitamins and eating virtually no sugar, which she says she "hasn't missed"; 2) for me, to continue to provide for my family during this time. I took on a consulting position with a company called Bridge Funds during the real estate crisis lately that I should know in a few days if it is permanent or not. Either way, I need to be able to assure Karen that we'll make it through these next few months. I'm certainly open to more real estate work as it would give me more flexibility. 3) for the girls, for the strengthening of their faith and encouragement of their spirits during the next few months.
"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" has always been one of my favorite hymns. I'll close with the chorus of this great hymn:
Great is thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me
In His Love
John and Karne Jacobsen
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1 comment:
Karen,
My sister was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and when we heard the diagnosis we were afraid that would be the end of her short life. She did three rounds of chemo and is now in remission. She never lost her hair and more importantly, she never lost her faith in God.
You should know that we are all praying for you and trusting that our dear Lord has his own plans for you. Look to him for guidance and hope.
Love and Peace.
April
Jacksonville, Florida
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