This is Kurt writing this time and just wanted to give you a quick update from my perspective. This journey that we have been on for the past 9 plus months has been extremely difficult and trying with many tears and yet much joy and actually a lot of laughter. One doctor we read says that we need 10 belly laughs a day – and so we are constantly looking for reasons to laugh. Proverbs says that laughter is like good medicine. We are taking our daily medicine and enjoy taking it!
There are several reasons we have joy, and even through tears, can have peace. 1) God is for us and is the author of joy and peace and He gives generously to us His children. 2) We are blown away by so many of you who have showered us with love, encouragement notes/cards, meals, financial support and lots of hugs, etc. 3) We have joy and peace because God is answering your prayers and we are so blessed by how many folks are praying.
Just this past Friday I had 4 godly men lay hands on me and pray boldly for full healing for Kristen and for strength for our family. I also had a pharmacist pray over a bottle of pills for Kristen before she gave it to me. We have people stop us continually and say they are praying and many are praying and fasting. Can I just say a huge thank you! We can’t express enough how grateful we are for your ongoing, faithful prayers.
We go get a CT scan on September 13th and get the results the following week. Please pray what the apostles prayed in Acts 4: Lord stretch out Your hand . . . heal . . . and perform great signs and wonders in the name of your holy servant Jesus. Can I ask you to boldly pray for Kristen’s full healing?
Thank you and praising God for all of you,
Kurt
Kurt, I have read a number of the blogs over the months and have been continually encouraged by the posts by Kristen, your children and you today. Although we are not near, Sammy and I are praying for you. And several times I have waken up in the middle of the night with Kristen on my mind and have prayed for her. We love you and thank God for you! And of course will pray for God’s healing of Kristen.
Alicia Morrison
I am blessed by each one of the posts on your blog and am praying for your full recovery. I also have been diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC. We have a mutual friend in Judy Gerdis. I am so glad that the Tarceva treatments have been working for you and that the side effects are becoming manageable. I would love to know more about some of the additional things that you are finding helpful, as mentioned in a post by your daughter a few weeks ago.
The amazing grace of God bathes everyone of our life situations, even cancer, when we keep our focus on Him.
Donna,
Thank you so much for your prayers. I am so sorry to hear of your own diagnosis. Wondering if you are also able to take Tarceva? We have learned about so many alternative treatments and are finding many of them very helpful. Here’s the short list: Alkaline water, alkaline diet, Floressence Tea, Oxygen, supplements, sauna for detox and two different machines that work by utilizing electromagnetic frequencies (hope I’m describing that last part correctly!).
I am actually hoping to put a packet together of all we have learned. A friend recommended this and is willing to help make it happen. Others have been so helpful to teach us from their own experience. We’d gladly pass on anything we now know. It may take a bit to put it all together though. If you have specific questions or if I can help in any way, please let me know. Feel free to leave me your number and I can give you a call.
So glad Judy is a friend of yours! What a lady! She’s a model to follow.
Love and prayers, Kristen
Hey guys! Amazing how cancer can increase the Kingdom and can’t stop your testimony of God’s daily provision of grace. We will pray for that complete healing!!! Also, I found out that our daughters are in a dance troupe together! How neat! Though I am still unable to drive, I try to get out to events when I can. HOPEFULLY, we will see one another when the girls are performing. Like your family, we try to allow others to see that in the gift of “frailty” we have been given, God’s strength is ever present…and more than enough! We’re so blessed…we can’t contain it either! Much love in Him, Deb and Ed
Continuing to pray courage, strength, joy, peace, laughter, and HEALING for you – Kristen and Kurt, Olivia, Drew, Ivy and Ellie. Praying for days away at college for your precious older two and first weeks of school for the youngers ! May God and HIS Holy Spirit blow a sweet fresh wind of HIS amazing love and protection over you all this week. We love you so – takes my breath away as I watch your every growing, and genuinely honest faith. What a gift to see you live it out so beautifully. Blessing #392 – Sauder Fam
As Always, I will continue praying for all of you. Cannot wait to hear the results of the scan.
Kristen,
I’m not sure what rock I have been under, but this latest post by Kurt caught my eye so I have been browsing through your other posts and learning about your diagnosis. So sorry to hear of it and though it has been many years since we have seen each other it still hurts to know that you and your family are going through this. We can be encouraged in the knowledge that you don’t walk alone, however – Isaiah 43 is one of my favorite passages – “Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”
Feel better – I look forward to reading your testimony of His great healing.
Mike Russo
Mike, So good to hear from you. Love that passage in Isaiah too. Thanks for the encouragement and thanks most of all for your prayers. What a journey! God is teaching us so much and we know He is answering the prayers of His people. I look forward to sharing that testimony of His great healing!
Trust that you and your family are well. What are you up to these days?
Thanks again for reaching out.
Kristen
Hello Kristin
I have been following your post and praying for you. So I stand with you praying for your complete healing. You are an inspiration.
My Mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May and we are battling against it. Thank you for the list of things you have found helpful. One of the things that has helped Mom keep her strength is juicing.
Take care in Christ,