Family picture - we have survived

Here we are in a church family picture taken just a few weeks ago. Of course there is Karen in the front, and then (clockwise) Shelby, John, and Kylie. We're smiling, though it's been a very hard couple years. We're not out of the woods yet, but 1) cancer hasn't returned and 2) we're still in our home. Your prayers remain so important to us as we continue on this journey.

Please forgive that we don't update this more frequently. In the world of cancer, no news is good news, but I think with Christmas approaching in three and a half weeks and long gift lists emerging from our girls, it's time to keep the meaning of Christmas in perspective and I'll use this blog to put Advent postings. One of our pastors reminded us this morning that Advent is the beginning of the year for the church so shouted out "Happy New Year" to a crowd of rather disoriented Lutherans.

Whenever anyone asks me for prayer requests, of course the first one is praise that cancer has not returned. The next round of tests will be after Christmas. The next request is for stability. My work situation has been at best a roller coaster. I've had several interviews for a position with Kemper Insurance that I will ask you to keep in prayer. This would be a good situation for me and my family.

A lesson I'm still learning is how much fear controls our lives. There is much to be afraid of in life, no matter what we know. Even Jesus felt fear as He contemplated the cross before Him. I read a quote recently that is now on my bulletin board: Fear is the faith that it won't work out. Doesn't that say it all? God's safety net is monstrous compared to the little torn fishing nets I put out for myself. At age 46, I think I'm beginning to catch on.

We love hearing from any and all of you and feel free to e-mail at soulwise@msn.com or comment here.

God bless you all!

Prayer for our country

Hi everyone: With the election three weeks away, we are very concerned about the state of the US right now. The media is basically a big campaign commercial for one candidate...our choices are not that great...and we're witnessing the slow collapse and socialization of the American economy. Regardless of whom you are for, we are asking all of you to pray for this country right now during a very critical time. Tell everyone you know to pray for our country. And pray for whomever is elected president.

Update - MORE GOOD NEWS!

Karen's latest blood work has come back today. I was nosy and opened her mail, but was glad to be able to call Karen at work and tell her that the CA125 test, the benchmark test for determining if cancer has returned, was at 6.4. This is still way low!!! It's slightly up from where it was the last time, but not enough to be concerned. It's a matter of keeping it low.

Karen recently started part time work at a place in Edina that markets dietary supplements. She's getting quite an education there! It has been good for her to cut free from the house. Her hair is getting longer, darker, and wavy-er (sp?). She and I both miss the blond hair.

Your prayers have been appreciated throughout this episode of our lives. We need prayer over the course of the next few weeks for God's provision for staying in our current home. It's a complicated story I won't get into here, but God knows and He'll honor your prayers.

He is good!


John J

Somber anniversary

It was a year ago today that Karen had the surgery that led to the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. It is one of those days forever etched in my memory: seeing her off into surgery feeling confident that this tumor would be gone; an excruciating three and a half hour wait before my pager goes off. Up to a conference room where I met Dr. Argenta. The words that changed our lives forever started with "the news I have is not good". Then a few hours later, as Karen awakened, telling her what no husband ever wants to tell his wife: They found cancer. Watching her sob helplessly as she said she wouldn't live to see our daughters' weddings. Making the phone calls to family and friends, hearing their crying. Taking our daughters to see her that night.

Nobody should live through that.

A year later, Karen remains in remission. For this I am thankful. Everyone says life is a gift. I would add to that: it's a gift given to us daily. None of us is entitled to tomorrow. We go day by day in faith in Christ and love one another - not easy, but better than the alternatives.

Good things have come out of this: closer relationships with Karen's sister, with my sisters and brother, new closesness with many other relatives, a new depth in our faith, a deeper appreciation for each day, but also a sense of urgency about planning for the future - a hard thing to do when just staying fed and keeping gas in the car is made more difficult (e-mail me at soulwise@msn.com if you're curious as to whom I think is to blame for these problems in all of our lives).

You have prayed us through so much, and I've prayed for all of you who have asked me. A year later, we ask for your prayers in keeping a steady income coming in. This battle has cost us a great deal - add to this my career battles as a glittering real estate career took a nosedive - but we face each day and work to support our families. Please keep this in your prayers for us. And of course for Karen's ongoing healing. If Karen is less worried about income, she is less stressed. Cancer and stress go hand in hand.

Thank you again for prayers, support, love, and encouragement. All our love to you.

John Jacobsen
(with Karen and the girls)

Been a while

It has been since later in June that I've updated the blog. In the world of cancer, no news is good news. We do have some prayer needs and concerns we'd like to share with you in the time being.

Karen is looking for gainful part time employment. Our daughters Kylie and Shelby are both in dance and ice skating respectively. Dance lessons, ice time, etc can run $500.00 a month. Please pray for God's provision of a part time job to cover these expenses. Additionally, I'm keeping my eyes open for other work opportunities. The project I was on at Allianz stretched out seven months. They may need me back for another - but not sure when that will be. Please pray for God's continued steady and providing Hand to guide us. He always has in the past, even when the road has become rocky. And He provided through many of you. We will always be grateful.

Karen has been having some pain lately. It appears to be related to a post-surgical hernia she developed. Pray for relief from the pain. Nothing is worse for me than seeing my wife in pain and wanting to do something about it. She goes back to the OBGYN/oncologist for more tests in October.

A verse deep in my memory came to the surface yesterday - Romans 10:11, "...whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed" (NASV). Even if our circumstances in life disappoint or are downright upsetting, God never is. Wrap yourself in His love.

And read my sister Marilyn's blog - it's awesome! http://meowylyn.blogspot.com

John J

GOOD NEWS!!!!

Today we received test results back from Karen's first non-chemotherapy influenced blood work. The most important test, the CA-125, came back at 4.8.

Yes, 4.8!

What does this mean? CA-125 is the protein that develops in response to cancer activity. The "normal" range for this test is up to 30. The last two times this test was done, it was at a 5 - and Karen's doctor told her it is unusual for it to never get that low. This time, it went even lower.

This is a victory, but it's the first of many times we will sweat it waiting for these results. Ovarian cancer has a very high recurrence and is quite insidious. A battle has been won, but we're still engaged in war.

And we have the best prayer warriors out there.

THANK YOU!

Dealing with the ever-present fear - and prayer requests

Hi friends and family: Our family continues to feel the constant prayers and concerns you have surrounded us with. We remain thankful.

Yesterday Karen went for blood work in anticipation of her June 30 doctor appointment. These appointments are quarterly. This one we're particularly concerned about because it will be her first appointment without the influence or benefit of chemotherapy. The CA125 test is the most critical one, as it measures the protein that responds to cancer activity. We're aware it could go up and that this doesn't necessarily mean the beast has returned. But we are worried. Please keep us in prayer.

WE WANT THIS GONE! Cancer is something that always lurks in the background. Yes, you go on with the demands of everyday life because you have to. We could go on and on about how we're too young, too busy, too this, too that to be dealing with this, but that would be whiny. God has put this in our lives. We can't even say it's not fair, because God is always fair. We just don't see or understand this.

But we still want this gone!!!

Please keep us in prayer. Please continue to keep our home refi situation in prayer as well.

God is good, and we see evidence of this every day. He is faithful and will bring everything to pass.