from Steve | onward and forward...

It is hard to believe it has been a little over a month since my last update and many of you have expressed that you have still been praying for Sandy and I. Thank you very much! It is so encouraging. There is still much healing to be accomplished and here is where we are at this time:

-          Last week I did get my customized glasses (well, one side of a pair of glasses, a modern monocle?). It is great to see detail at a distance again!

-          The free flap is shrinking slowly with the intentions that 80% of it will shrink away because most of it is muscle. And with no nerves to stimulate the muscle tissue it will atrophy and shrink but leave enough mass for a later cosmetic surgery. Other surgery sites are healing, but slower than I prefer (imagine that).

-          After meeting with the local oncologist once and the radiologist twice and consulting with a naturopathic doctor in Kenya and another oncologist in Mexico, and doing hours and hours of research we have chosen to wait to do any conventional radiation or chemotherapy treatments. As you might remember from a previous update we were told from the post-surgery pathology report I was clear of any detectable cancer in my bones, nerves, brain, and the margin surrounding the tumor EXCEPT for one small spot in the upper sinus area. Because of the potential damage that would be created by the radiation and chemo it did not seem worth it for the little benefit I would gain (reducing my reoccurrence rate by only 20%). We are choosing other options to eradicate any remaining cancer cells that have a higher success rate with no side effects. We feel very good about this choice. So this is the path we are on and praying like crazy that God will make it very effective and we gain the healing that is much needed.

-          I am driving again (all the kids say woo hoo!) and working two part time jobs also. I am so thankful to be productive again. It is definitely harder to mow grass with one eye – try it – with the loss of some depth perception it is hard to see when things are lined up right – hey, but it is great to have that problem because that means at least two things: 1) I’m alive to struggle with the change, and 2) I can see something at all! Aren’t we blessed more than we deserve? The Lord is so good!

 

Thank you again for praying for my healing! Having the tumor removed is so glorious and getting my strength back each day is awesome! Thanks is advance for your prayers for my continued healing – maybe I should name this “Operation Eradication!” Love you….

 

Oh, by the way, I attached a recent picture for those of you that are not local so you can see the surgery free flap. Also, when trying to choose a style of monocle it was a hard decision…. I passed on the first two…..

 

Steve & Sandy

John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

from Steve | my heroes...

Most of us have a hero or heroes in our lives that influence us in a great way. My greatest hero happens to also be the Creator of the universe and everything in it – the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no one else that comes close. Not anyone. He is the greatest! And He never makes mistakes. I have not always been a great disciple or follower but He has always been faithful and great. I have no reason why He would choose me to be His child…but that is why it is called grace! Getting something I did not deserve. Oh, how I love Jesus!

 

But the purpose of this email was to mention some other heroes in my life that really surfaced during my journey of cancer, surgery, and now recovery. That would be our children: Roanna, Alisa, Ryan, and Jamison. They have really been there for us. They have served and honored us well. We are very privileged and blessed because of them. And it would not be accurate to not also mention their spouses, Rick, Mike, Jayme, and Danielle, which love us like their own parents. God has used them during this time to be a huge encouragement and support. God said, so it is true, in Ps 127:3 “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

The boys live here locally and Roanna drove from TN with her two little ones and Alisa flew here from Tanzania and had to leave her two little boys with Mr Mom, I mean Mr Mike, for the surgery. They helped us in so many ways: with transportation, with food, cleaning the house, groceries, laughing, praying, crying, keeping close to Sandy during my surgery, paid for a hotel so Sandy could stay near the hospital. The boys took turns spending the night with me while in the Burn Unit Intensive Care so Sandy could get rest. They missed sleeping those nights while a doctor or nurse came in every hour. (We like sharing the pain! It’s a family thing…) They helped to smuggle in carrot juice (one of my home protocols) when the doctors weren’t looking. They brought in special artwork from the grandkids to put in my hospital room with the flowers. They helped us with all the doctor appointments, MRI’s and CT Scans, insurance, applications, etc. They created and managed the blog site so everyone could follow these updates, helped sell a lot of things on Craigslist…and I could go on. They took huge burdens off of us while going through this while still trying to balance their work and family responsibilities. We have very special kids and kids-in-law who love the Lord and love us. Very special indeed and we thank the Lord for them!! They are our HEROES!

 

Update: 1) met with the oncologist this week to discuss the chemo journey – sounds like a lot of fun we would love to avoid. I have a follow up appointment with the radiologist to finish deciding on the radiation treatment, another journey I would love to avoid. We will keep you posted. 2) the eye doctor is working on making me a set of glasses (actually it should be singular) so I can see again while the free flap is healing and shrinking (will take about 5 months). It will be highly customized since it will be one half of a set of glasses and will be hard to keep on my face. We’ll see how good he is! 3) still healing the 3 surgical sites of which the throat hurts the most.

 

Thank you again for praying for my healing! You are an important contributor to our support group! We love you.

 

Steve & Sandy

Ps 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

from Steve | Steve must leave the band...

Yes, it is true. Steve can no longer play the trumpet. Actually, I never have played the trumpet but today the doctor removed a device inserted in the left side of my nose called a trumpet. Its purpose was to provide a structure for the surgical site to heal around so that the end result will be to have a left nostril to breathe with. It was also where the feeding tube was inserted when I had that. This trumpet was the last device to be removed and am I glad! It was creating a lot of discomfort (okay, the correct word is pain) whenever I swallowed. Since it had been stitched to the inside of my nose I felt like a bass in the everglades with a fishhook in my nose and every time I swallowed (which is more times during the day than you normally would think) the pain meter would get a nice escalation. So that is gone and I can now swallow with ease and breathe a lot better – freedom feels so good… thank you LORD!

We also met with the radiologist doctor yesterday to evaluate the need for radiation treatments. It was a long appointment but very encouraging. The doctor reviewed the pathology reports stating there was no evidence of cancer in the nerves, was no evidence of cancer in the bones, was no evidence of cancer in the margin area around where the tumor was extracted except for one area in the upper sinus cavity but could not determine how much because it was small. The diagnosis was that there is a 30-40% chance of reoccurrence and with radiation treatments it gets lowered by 20%. We discussed the side effects. But it was determined that there is no urgency to have to do the treatments right now. We have a follow up appointment next month to decide which direction to go. Our focus right now is for everything to just finish healing. The first meeting with the oncologist is April 1 (no connection to Fool’s Day, that is reserved for Atheists (Ps 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God…”) While we gather information and continue to heal I continue to do my anti-cancer diet (mostly vegan) and alternative protocols to help build my immune system. So we will know more later and will keep you updated.

                It is hard to believe the surgery was one month ago from this past Monday. How time flies when you are having….. fun…. We are so thankful to the LORD for bringing us this far and healing so quickly.. God has made these bodies so amazing on how they heal and mend (Ps 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”) There is still much to heal in my throat and neck and back and face. We thank you for praying still – it is much needed and appreciated.

 

Steve & Sandy

Colossians 4:2 “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”

from Steve | I am SO THANKFUL!

I have been home for 7 days now and so far Sandy doesn’t want to discharge me! She said I could stay a while longer! Healing is going well but mentally it seems so slow. But all I have to do is think of other individuals that are going through or have gone through much worse challenges than I and I must close my mouth and be thankful.

Today, when I think what has taken place the past 12 months and especially the past 3 weeks I get overwhelmed with thanksgiving.  I am so thankful for:

-          My faithful God and Saviour Jesus Christ who promised to keep me, promised to never leave me, promised to never forsake me, promised to love me, promised to protect me, promised to give me all I need, and I could go on for pages…. What an awesome LORD, there is no one like Him!

-          God’s word – it sustains me, gives me eternal life, comforts me, reveals to me what is true – so important when there are so many lies out there.

-          A family that genuinely loves and cares for me. They have been tested and they shine forth. Our kids have honored Sandy and I like no other parents could enjoy. Sandy has gone through the wringer and has been so faithful.

-          A church family that demonstrates biblical Christianity in how they weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. How God has stirred in their hearts to encourage, to pray, to give, to help…. Wow, they have honored God – they get it – how ministry is supposed to work. We are so blessed!

-          Others friends around the world who do the same – just amazingly generous. How can this be? It has to be a God-thing…

-          The tumor is GONE! – How God used the doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff that are very skilled at what they do to answer our prayers and get this thing off my face!

-          This affliction – yes, this affliction. It is a journey I would not volunteer for but one that God chose me for - it pressed me toward my Saviour, knowing nothing can touch me without His loving care and always meant for my good and His glory. It’s all about Him, not about us. We have to start with God (not ourselves) to make sense of things.

-          I am thankful to be alive – I am so blessed to have had 58 years of no hospitals, no surgeries, two eyes and good health.

-          For all the prayer intercessors on my behalf! You definitely made the difference!!! I thank God for you.

Prayer requests:

-          Continued healing of my body - my left back where tissue was taken (staples to be removed Monday), throat (8 inch cut) where lymph nodes were removed, left face where flap is (looks like a large skin-colored pouch from forehead to bottom of nose) – that it heals correctly (will take months)

-          Challenges of finding my new normal – one eye and all the surgery challenges, vocation, get back to prison ministry

-          I make the right choices going forward to help my body be cancer free (close, but not quite there yet).

 

Steve & Sandy

Isaiah 25:1 “O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”

from Steve | no place like HOME!

Well, it has been 11 days since my surgery to remove the tumor and my left eye and today I got to come home! This is about a week or two earlier than originally planned by the doctors and staff. This has to be a God-thing because all the reports keep coming back that I have been healing faster than anticipated. Also, I am now too healthy to stay in a facility for any further treatments if we want the insurance company to pay for it. We met a lot of great people and had great care but being home is the best!

There are so many thoughts to share about this experience but I do not want to write a LONG treatise that no one will want to read. Here are some highlights to the 11 days:

-          For me the surgery was easy (I was unconscious for 24 hrs!). Now the days following in ICU were pretty intense. So Sandy’s worst day was Monday (day of surgery), mine was Tuesday, the following day.

-          The doctors and staff at the hospital, burn center, and the rehab facility were tremendous. (of course, they had half the world praying for them!) We met a lot of great, talented people and had many interesting conversations. It definitely takes a special type of person to do that kind of work! We thank God for them.

-          Our kids have been such a huge support to Sandy and I. Way beyond what words can describe! How privileged we are as parents! (Ps 127:3)

-          We have been blessed by so many visits, posts, comments, cards of encouragement, flowers, and gifts from all over this planet – it still just amazes us! Thank you very much!!

-          Sandy has been such a trooper throughout this entire journey. I know this isn’t easy on her and I hate she has to go through it but she knows as well that God can be trusted and He does everything perfect and in His time.

-          Our pastor and church family have been such a HUGE support for myself, Sandy, and our family (just the way God designed it to be) – He is honored

-          The follow up visit with the ENT surgeon yesterday was very encouraging

o   The pathology report showed no cancer was found in lymph nodes taken from my neck or margins of where tumor was – AMEN!

o   Healing process is going really well. All tubes, IV’s, drains, some of the 200+ stitches removed

o   The trach hole is still healing so it makes talking difficult (no comments please…) :)

o   Most of my face is numb and will be for about 5-6 months (so I feel no pain where the tumor surgery took place)

o   Most of my pain is in my neck (all the way across) where lymph nodes were extracted and on my back side where all the tissue, muscle, etc was taken to make the free flap for the face – but my pain over all has been surprisingly low (I am very thankful for that!) – actually less pain than before the surgery

-          What is really awesome is I can now sleep more than an hour or two stretch! I slept 3.5 hours two times last night – that is a record for the past 8 months! Woo-hoo!

-          Future expectations: it is supposed to take several months for the free-flap (the 11cm skin patch) to shrink down to its intended size for future cosmetic surgery. In the meantime, my face looks like it has an over-inflated half softball sewn on my face as a tarp. Most people think I have a HUGE patch on half my face but it is the actual skin flap taken from my left middle back (which still has staples in it to keep my back together). So, it will take months to fully recover from this but the scary stuff is over.

 

There are more details we would love to share but you get the idea of the our progress along with the other posts. You, as with us, can see God’s hand in this entire event and we give Him thanks and praise. Again, we want to express our thanks to you for your thoughts and prayers and concern! You have been amazing! God has been honored by your participation in our journey. We are anticipating to see exciting things on how God orchestrates this into His majestic plan. He has brought us through a big, dark valley – thank you for holding us up when we could not do that ourselves. We rejoice together!!

 

Much love!

Steve & Sandy

Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

post surgery update | one week!

Oh what a week! God has been so good to our family. Thinking about last Monday so much has happened - thanks to our God, Steve is doing so well recovering!

Steve is now officially moved out of the University Medical Center and is now at Cedar Village. 

[5467 Cedar Village Dr. | Mason]

Ryan was able to transport him there this afternoon and help him get all situated in his new room. 

The doctors are very pleased with the progress he is making in his recovery. He should be able to get his feeding tube out tomorrow, which I know he will be so thrilled for-as it had been really irritating his throat. 

Steve has another checkup with the doctors on Thursday, so pending the status of that appointment he may be able to go home after that!! (A big praise there!)

I know many of you have been so kind and thoughtful asking about sending cards and visiting him.

It is best to keep mailing cards to their home address. We will make sure Steve and Sandy get them! 

Also. Visits to see Steve at this rehab facility are available. The best time to come would be between 3p-8p. (And just a friendly reminder to please be cautious of sickness/germs-as he has to be very careful.)

day 4 post-op update | by Roanna

Good news Dad was moved to a new room that's not in ICU.  

The doctors were able to remove the trach.  Now he will just wait for that area to heal.  It does make it difficult to talk, but that doesn't stop him from cracking jokes.  

The area on his back where they removed skin, fat, muscle is really sore.  But the area on his face is accepting that skin flap really well.  

When I see or hear about all of the hourly, daily things that our Dad is going through to heal the word COURAGEOUS keeps coming to mind. 

He is strong & courageous because God is with him everywhere he goes.  

 
"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

Blessings,

Roanna 

post surgery update | "thanks to The Lord"

"He's doing so well! I don't see any problems here!"

We kept hearing this news over and over today from all the doctors and nurses checking in on Steve. 

Today he took several walks up and down the hall of the ICU. And we could see little sparks of his sarcasm coming out.

In the midst of all the great progress it is still tough to see him struggle to get a few mouthed words out or to get a few minutes of sleep as he deals with a new normal with no eye and over 200 stitches.  Steve mention he feels like he is living in slow motion and time is just crawling by. As tough as it to see him in this state we know it's by Gods grace he is with us today. 

There's been talk of getting his trach removed within the next week and possibly moving to another room out if the ICU for the remainder of the hospital stay. 

So thankfully there is not too much to update from today - the recovery is going as planned. The doctors and nurses are very happy and in the exact words of Steve from today "Thanks to The Lord!"

post surgery update | can't keep that Steve down!

[lastNIGHT]
After surgery yesterday evening Steve was moved to another room in the
ICU. There, he was kept a close eye on - monitoring all his levels and
making sure all that was done stayed that way after the surgery. He
was kept asleep until this morning.

We were able to see our dad for the first time around 715pm last
night. Only several hours after the surgery. They only allowed 1
visitor at a time due to the abundance of nurses and staff still
working on him.


Small portion of my point of view at 715pm | Ryan Kuenkel
I was sitting in the waiting room on the 5th floor that consists ofabout 15 chairs and one small table in the middle of the room. 
All of us have found our spots to sit and call home for that night. I madesure I found the spot closest to the outlet to charge my phone. 
Yes I'm selfish. 

I look over and see my mom anxiously waiting trying tostay calm in her chair while Donna sits quietly by her side. I knowall my mom wants to do it go see her husband. I look around and seeour whole family waiting. Well almost everyone. Alisa just landed atCVG airport traveling from Africa and Jayme(my wife) along withDanielle(Jamison's wife) went to go pick her up and bring her to thehospital to meet up with the family.

They announced we are now able to send one visitor to his room. My momjumped up and walked down the hallway to the door and pushed thesilver button to speak to the secretary to allow her to enter. I couldonly imagine what might be going through her mind.

While waiting for the girls to get back from the airport and for mymom to return from seeing my dad, I sit there and I truly don't recallwhat coincided during those minutes but I look up and see my mom. 
I then see Jamison and Roanna run to my mom. I soon follow.Red eyed and tears running down her face she sits and cries and wesurround her. She stumbles out a few words as she explains what shejust experienced. 

We were shocked.

She said that My dad opened his eye and looked at her and mouthedsoftly that he loves her as he squeezed her hand. I'm sure that isexactly what my mom needed to hear and I'm sure my mom was the firstperson my dad wanted to see.

There is more to share of all the little things God is doing to givestrength to our family. All of the doctors and nurses have been greatto my dad.


[thisMORNING]
This morning they noticed he needed more blood and the doctors ordered
for a blood transfusion. Steve was awake at that point to give the
nurse the approval for the procedure. His coloring already looks a lot
better.

Because of the trach, it is uncomfortable for him to talk so he is
using a dry erase board to communicate. But we will count that as a
win!!
He said most of his pain was from the back of his shoulder where they
took muscle and skin.

All of the nurses are saying he is doing so well and that most people
are not trying to talk and sit in a chair only 16 hours after surgery.

Continue to pray for him in his recovery and pain.

Pray for strength and peace for Sandy.
And for the rest of the family.

All of the love and support from all our family and friends has simply
been incredible.

surgery update #3

[stepTWO - surgery officially complete]

Steve made it through the reconstruction portion of the surgery without any complications according to the doctors at this time. They will keep monitoring him closely over the next few days. They are paying close attention to the arteries and veins that they accept each other well and do not clot. 

The tumor has been removed and now it's time for recovery. 

[stepTHREE - recovery]

He is now in an intensive care unit room for recovery and will be woken up tomorrow afternoon. He has a trachea and feeding tube in at this time. 

The doctors were very pleased with how the surgery went. They will inform us on what's next to help insure all of the cancer is gone. 

We have not been able to see him yet but should by the end of the day. 

surgery update #2

So Steve is now officially over half way through the surgery - and everything is going GREAT! Praise God!

[partONE - complete]

We were able to sit down with the eye doctor and ENT doctor. They were able to remove the tumor without any issues and the cancer had not reached past the skull - which is a huge deal! The doctors were pleased with the extraction. 

[partTWO - in progress]

Another set of doctors are now currently working on Steve to do the reconstruction portion of the surgery. This is the delicate portion of the surgery as they put everything back together. 

Looks like it is all on track to finish around 4:30-5:00 if everything goes well. 

They will not wake Steve up until tomorrow morning. He will remain here in ICU for 5-7 days. They will provide more information at the end of the day. 

Thank you for all your continued prayers today!!

#76417 | surgery in progress

Steve is currently is surgery! 

The day is here! 

I have never seen someone going into a day like this so calm and under control. His sarcasm was still in tact even at 5 this morning! 

The prayers are felt and all the encouragement is much appreciated and so very helpful!

Continue to pray for Steve. 

Pray for Sandy as she sits here and waits. 

Pray for Ryan, Jamison, Roanna, & Alisa and their families. (And especially for Alisa as she is still traveling in to the country today)

Pray for the doctors and surgeons (even this morning Steve said "well I sure hope all the surgeons had a good weekend and no one is ticked off this morning!") :) ha!

Pray that there would be no complications and that Steve's recovery would be best case scenario. 

Thanks to you all for the overwhelming love you have shown!

Love 

The Kuenkel family 

Last update from Steve BEFORE surgery day!

Well, in about 36 hours my life will change. This painful, haunting tumor on my face will be gone! Oh, I cannot wait. What a journey this has been, not one I would have volunteered for, but one God chose for me – for my good and for His glory (Rom 8:28). Nothing can come into the life of one of His children without going through His loving and merciful hands first. A Texas preacher friend of mine calls it being “Father-filtered.” Amen.

Oh, and as you know, there are still 30  hours remaining for our LORD to speak and totally heal me before the doctors get a shot at it. That is still my primary prayer and if it is His will to do that then it WILL happen. And if not, then what He does is still perfect and good. He never makes mistakes! I do know our expectations of what we think God should or should not do get all messed up but the problem is not with God. Never is. I think Isaiah’s analogy was the clay pot challenging the potter on how he was making the pot! We humans have a tendency to overrate ourselves a lot. That is why it is so important for us to have accurate thoughts about God. And that is why the word of God is so critical for life and especially during challenges. Can you think of a better place to put your hope? We trust in the LORD with all our heart, we do not lean unto our own understanding, we acknowledge him in all our ways, and He directs our paths…

I will be honest with you – I do not know how a person deals with life on earth without the Lord Jesus Christ? Life is challenging enough but doing life without any real hope now and for after this life, wow, that has to be totally discouraging. I cannot even fathom it... especially when it isn’t necessary. Jesus’ invitation is to all and He rejects none that come to Him.

To sum it up: one of our kids will send updates about the surgery outcome, etc until I can get back to a laptop. I may be offline a couple weeks. The healing is coming! Pray for these very talented surgeons and hospital staff and my recovery. Surgery starts 7:30am Monday. When the doctors said it was going to be an 8-10 hour surgery I told them we’re going to have to order in pizza for dinner JI like green pepper on mine….

 

MANY ARE PRAYING, ALL OVER THE WORLD – WE ARE BLESSED INDEED!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! (Your labor of love is not in vain)

Mark 11:24 “Therefore I (Jesus) say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” BOOM!

 

Steve & Sandy

Romans 8:32 “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

THANK$$$ | from Steve

Since we began this cancer journey about a year ago there have been many of you that have been a great blessing to us, particularly financially. It has been totally amazing how God has used so many people to bless us, materially and in prayer. People have sacrificed large sums of money to help us. We have received gift cards, encouragement cards, hand-made blankets from Grace Kidz (personally signed by the kids we teach), devotional books, food, fruit baskets, lots of organic carrots and green apples (for juicing), letting us borrow a hospital bed since I had been sleeping in a recliner for 5 months, transportation, a money tree, loaning us a mineral FIR lamp for treatments, and a LOT of cash donations that has helped us to do all the treatments we have been doing for the past 9-10 months.

Since this journey began we had no way to fund the cost of doing these treatments. In fact, I remember a particular day when totally overwhelmed  where I cried out to the LORD about how was I supposed to pay for all this when all I had at the time was $40 (when I needed like $150/day). Long story short…within 2-3 weeks funds started coming in and we have been able to do all the treatments the entire time!God has miraculously provided everything we have needed. And He used you, His people to be generous and sacrificial with your resources. We are truly blessed!! Does God care? Oh yes! Does God provide? Oh yes!

So, this email is to say THANK YOU! God has used you to bless us and our prayer for you is that He will in return bless you in a huge way for participating in His  program. In Luke 14 Jesus tells those around him (and us) that when we give or do things for others that cannot recompense (repay) us several things will happen: 1) you will be blessed, and 2) it will be later. Guaranteed!

 

We say THANKS!!! And we thank God for you!!

 

Steve & Sandy

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Steve's email [[02.01.14]]

Well, it looks like Valentines Day freed up. No surgery on the 14^th. The surgery date was moved to the nextMonday – Feb 17, 7:30am. One doctor was not included in the original schedule so it had to be amended.

I am definitely looking forward to being well! Thank you again for all your prayers for my healing – each morning upon awakening I get a little disappointed because the tumor is still there…but then I know it wasn’t God’s will yetto touch and heal me. But soon! I cannot help but remember Martha’s words to Jesus about her dead brother “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” (no limits with the Omnipotent One!). Believest thou this?

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND INTERCEDING!!

Steve & Sandy

Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. – the Best is yet to come!

Steves email [[01.24.14]] | then God stepped in...

Just in case you were wondering if God still wants to heal… you will be blessed and assured after reading this recent story of little boy Jacob needing a high risk heart surgery. A dear friend sent this story to us and it was a HUGE encouragement! Please read this short amazing story of God working in this family’s life. They, like Sandy and I, have MANY (I mean like tons of MANY) praying…. 

http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=0b92fc9b6194fc89764d92c1e&id=8f4916964d

So, we keep asking! We keep praising our wonderful Saviour (PS 107:8)! He does everything perfectly! There is NEVER a second of time that God is not good! Never. Thank you again for interceding! Thank you for caring and giving! We send our love and prayers for you also…

Isaiah 40:28-29 “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”

 Steve & Sandy 2 Cor 4:18 – the best is yet to come!

Steves email [[01.19.14]] | surgery date

“So, what are you doing on Valentine’s Day?”

“Well, I thought I would go have a 10 hr. surgery, you?”

And that is the scheduled date for the surgery – Friday, Feb 14. So, there is more waiting. We still pray that God will grant healing before then. That is our daily plea (actually, multiple times during the day; okay – hourly?).  But if He chooses not to we pray to God the surgery goes very well and the recovery even better.

In the meantime prayer partners, here is how you can help pray:

-          That we would remain thankful – to stay focused on what he have, not what we lose (Ps 103:2 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”

-          To praise and worship our Lord Jesus Christ no matter what happens to us – keep the big picture – to us believers this life is the worst it gets – for us it will only get better (see Eph 1)

-          That we remain joyful – (Romans12:12 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” “the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

-          That the pain and discomfort will minimize during this wait and the tumor would stop growing

-          That our faith will grow deeper and deeper in our LORD – (Luke 17:5 “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”)

-          That we will dare to ask great things of our LORD! (Eph. 3: 20“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” 1Jo 3:22“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”  1Jo 5:15 “And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”)

-          Last, but not least, that God would completely heal me from this disease and restore my vision (to UNDO that which is done).

So, thank you again for interceding! Thank you for caring and giving! We send our love and prayers for you also…

Steve & Sandy

2 Cor 4:18 – the best is yet to come!

Steve's email from [[01.14.14]] | 3rd surgeon mtg

One day closer to being well – I can hardly wait!

We met with the Otolaryngology doctor (yep, me too….) yesterday. He’s the 3^rdsurgeon and will do the reconstruction surgery. Some of the projected outcome was not as positive as the other two doctors so we need to get everyone on the same page. The first two doctors will tear everything out and the third doctor puts it back together. But if I do have to go through the surgery we feel really good about the team of doctors, nurses and hospital that will be involved. That helps a lot. There is no date set yet for the surgery (coordinating 4 schedules) but in early February most likely. Watch them mess up our Valentine Day plans!

 

Whenever different staff ask me how I am doing I try to always answer with “I’m challenged and I’m blessed.” Just that can surface any Christians in the room! Well, this is a journey I never would have picked and it is taking me down a path to meet a LOT of people I never would have met. So pray that I will be sensitive to God’s leading in making much of Him and the word of God. That way I do not waste the experience, nor my life!

 

Again, thank you all so much for your prayers! Keep praying more than ever – the day before the surgery I would love to be able to call the doctor(s) and ask if I can come in because they need to see the tumor is gone and my vision is restored!! Do you know how much fun that would be? “My Primary Care Physician (the LORD God) has taken care of everything – it was great to meet, thanks for your services but I’ll be at the house worshipping Jehovah-Rapha (God, my Healer)!!” Sorry, since it is possible I get carried away thinking about what that would look like – what fun! You would be a part of that, prayer partner!

 

Psalm 130: 5 “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.”

Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

 

Steve's email from [[01.11.14]]

MANY, MANY, MANY THANKS to all of you that are praying and supporting Sandy and I during this time!!! What a HUGE blessing to us! Phil 1:3

 

Thursday we met with the Ears, Nose, Throat (ENT) doctor/surgeon to review current situation and upcoming surgery. This meeting was very informative and helpful. His take of the scan images are that the tumor is very aggressive, no hope for my left eye, it is in the nasal cavity and some sinuses ad pushing up to the outside bone area in front of the brain. The eye doctor/surgeon agrees. The sooner the surgery the better. I meet with the reconstruction doctor on Monday (13^th). These 3 doctors will be doing the surgery (I hope they’re all friends and get along!)

They anticipate the surgery taking 6-10 hrs, a week stay in the hospital for recovery and then 1-3 weeks in a nursing care facility for further recovery that cannot be done at home.

That is assuming God has not miraculously healed me BEFORE the surgery takes place. And that is a valid option we continue to beseech God for. He said to ask, and keep asking, and keep asking (John 14:13,14; 15:16; Eph 3:20; I John3:22) BUT to be okay if He chooses to do something else, and we are. And that is the work of God’s amazing grace because of your prayers.

In the meantime, I continue to stay on all the protocols I have been on for 9 months to help keep the tumor at bay. The surgery is not scheduled yet but will most likely be early February.

                                                                                                       

Thank you again for walking this journey with us! We love you!  Steve & Sandy

 

John 11:22 “But I know, THAT EVEN NOW, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” (thank you Martha!)

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

THAT EVEN NOW!

Hey Prayer Warriors: when talking to a preacher friend of mine in Texas God used him to show me something beautiful in the word of God. How about John 11, after Lazarus was dead four days and Jesus comes and talks to Martha. She says to Jesus if he had been there Lazarus would not have died. But the fact was, Jesus didn't come, Lazarus did die. It was a done deal.  But look at Martha's faith - vs22 “But I know, THAT EVEN NOW, (after the death of her brother), whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” 

God can UNDO that which is already done!

God can reverse that which is irreversible!

It’s not over until God says it’s over!!

BUT I KNOW, THAT EVEN NOW.....   what a Book! what a Saviour!

-Steve

Steve's email from [[01.03.14]]

We met with the eye doctor/surgeon this morning to discuss MRI results and options available.

 The doctor said the tumor has grown into the eye and cannot be salvaged. His fear was how deep the tumor had progressed toward the brain (which becomes fatal). He seems to think it is not to the brain but getting close. His recommendation is surgery to remove the tumor on my nose (left-half of my nose) and remove left eye and all tissue around it. This may take place within 2-3 weeks. There is to be another Dr appt next Friday to discuss details after consulting with other surgeons. 

I lose an eye but get to live! The doctors seem to be expediting everything due to the severity of issue. He is also trying to help with resources available to help financially since we do not have insurance. And most of these doctors are not doing the Obamacare program….God is in control of all of this. He knew all about it before I ever did. And since I gave Him my life years ago and haven’t reneged on that deal due to His grace, there is no need to bail now. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth (Ps 121). He is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? (Ps27:1) 

I still want and pray for God to heal my nose, eyes and vision. He said to ask and keep asking (Luke 11:9). I do and encourage you to do the same. And I am to be okay with anything He wants to do, even if I didn’t expect it. He can execute my future much better than I. I have to remind myself how FAR God’s ways are above mine (Is 55:8).

 This battle is going to be in the prayer closet! Thanks for joining me… 

Steve's email from [[01.02.14]]

Update - Thurs - MRI

Well, I’ve been on this planet 58 years and I have never had the pleasure of doing an MRI until today. It wasn’t exactly on my bucket list and I’m pretty sure it is still not on that list. But it did go well. Facility and staff were very good. So the MRI is done and the eye doctor will review it tomorrow (Friday) with us at 8:45am.

So, that gives us more time to petition our great God to do the miraculous and answer our prayers! I really do appreciate everyone praying for me. I am so encouraged by seeing all the comments and letting me know you are praying. Here is how I am praying:

1)      Come Lord Jesus tonight! (not with the purest motives!)

2)      If not that, Lord, please heal me and restore my vision before there is any surgery (Ps 30:2)

3)      In all things for wisdom and to make much of Jesus Christ and the word of God – He not only should be trusted but can be trusted. There is NO ONE greater or more loving then He. He also knows how we feel (Heb 4:14-16), He has suffered far greater than I ever will. What a magnificent Saviour!

Love you all, thank you again for continuing to intercede on my behalf!!