Friday
5 January, 2007
Feast of St. John Neuman
Not much to report, but wanted to keep you current on Sarah’s condition. She was able to spend the Holidays at home and has been gaining some strength. However, when I talked to her yesterday she seemed pretty week. She is taking care of Evelyn, but it pretty well wears her out. She got good enough that she sent Raleigh back to work. Basically they are trying to have somewhat of a normal life.
Evelyn will be tested Jan 18th, to make sure the Cancer did not cross the placenta; and Sarah is scheduled for a CAT scan Jan 29th. Pray for good results on these tests. Raleigh really needs some good news for a change.
Pray also that Sarah could eat something. She is still not able to take anything by mouth.
If you haven’t seen it yet the movie “Facing the Giants” deals well with facing challenges like the one Sarah is going through. It seems to be based around the promise I’ve asked you to remember throughout, “All things are possible for God.” (Mk 10:27)
Thanks for the prayer,
Jim
Friday,
22 December, 2006
Just to let you know that Sarah did come home. Even better than that, she seemed to bounce back from the Interleukin very fast this time. She came home late Monday and instead of spending Tuesday in bed she was sitting in the living room most of the day and tolerated a couple bites of food.
Raleigh’s parents have come to take are of Evelyn and Sarah is doing well enough that we have come home.
Sarah had a follow up appointment yesterday and everything looks as expected. They scheduled her for a CAT scan at the end of January. This is the first that we may know if the Interleukin is working. Based on that Scan they will see what further treatments will look like.
So now our prayers continue for her healing. This morning I was reading of the restoration of Zion in Isaiah 49. In reference to the enemies of Zion he says, “Those who swallowed you up will be far from you.”(Is 49:19) This is my prayer for Sarah today; that the cancers that came against her to destroy her will be cast far from her.
Jim & Donna
Sunday, 17 December, 2006 (Message #2)
So you know a little more what we're praying for here is Baby Evelyn saying I want my Mommy. Check out her hair. We can't get it to lay down.
Thanks again for your prayer,
Jim & Donna
(Click Photo for Close up)
Sunday,
17 December, 2006
Third Sunday of Advent – Gaudete Sunday
Sarah has finished her second round of Interleukin. She tolerated 12 doses for round one, and 11 for round two. They tell us this is more than most people can do, so we hope it’s enough to do some good.
Pray now that her blood pressure will return to normal so we can bring her home. The docs think they will release her tomorrow, and we’re ready. Evelyn wants to see her Mommy.
We don’t know from here when she will go back, and I may not have much to report until then. Please just keep Sarah, Raleigh, and Evelyn in your prayers, as I know you have thus far. We feel confident that God is performing a miracle far beyond our understanding.
Thanks again for all the prayer,
Jim & Donna
Mk 10:27
Friday
15 December, 2006
Hi everybody,
Deacon Jim just called this afternoon (12/15/06) about 1:30pm excited saying Sarah had just completed another round of treatments and just like the time before she came through like a Champ!!!! Deacon said the doctor had told them that most in her condition take about 5 rounds the second time and she was able to complete 11 and they are thinking about letting her go ahead and take the 12th, which is the maximum.
One again he has thanked all concerned for their vigilant prayer and stated that they know it’s a result of those faithful prayers and the faith of all concerned that she is doing as well as she is. All the rest of the family is doing well and are encouraged by the results so far. He asked for your continued prayer and will update again soon.
John Artz
Monday
11 December, 2006
Sarah just left for the hospital to begin round two of Interleukin.
Pray for a knock-out punch from the Interleukin during this round that will knock the cancer completely out so Sarah can come home and play with Evelyn.
Her recovery went pretty well last week. Towards the end of the week she actually got strong enough to hold Evelyn some and feed her. This was a great emotional victory for Sarah as early in the week she felt terrible because she couldn’t do anything for Evelyn.
We continue to see that it is prayer that will win this battle so we thank you all for your continued prayer. Mk 10:27.
Jim & Donna
3 December 2006
First Sunday of Advent
A Good Day
Yes, there actually is some good news to report today.
Sarah was able to receive Holy Communion this morning.
As the IL2 wears off Sarah is more lucid today and has even been able to eat some. She had some mashed potatoes and peas last night and at lunch today ate some salad, milk and fruit. The quantities are still very small, but this is the first time she’s eaten anything for over a month, so for us this is a very good sign.
This afternoon they moved Sarah from MICU to a lesser care unit. That means Raleigh can stay with her tonight, which makes him feel better.
Grandma & Grandpa are still mostly busy taking care of Evelyn. What a tough job we have. She is staying healthy and growing strong. She prays with us for her Mommy. Jesus loves the prayers of the little children.
Thanks again for your continued prayer,
Jim & Donna
December 2, 2006
Sarah has finished her FIRST ROUND of Interleukin, and seems to be doing OK.
Can’t really say she’s great because she’s obviously very sick, but she has tolerated the initial round and done as much as they expected. Some people are not strong enough and can’t do as many doses. She had 12 and the average is 9, so this is good. At this point she is very weak. I can hardly hear her and her speech is slurred, but she is somewhat coherent.
The docs are hoping that she returns to normal quickly, and that they can send her home on Monday. Then the plan will be to go back in the following Monday, the 11th, for Round Two. Not sure how long after that before they check to see if it’s doing any good. This must be our prayer now; that she can continue to tolerate the IL2, and that it works.
I’ve been reading through Luke to prepare for this coming Liturgical year. This morning I saw a great description of what Jesus can do.
“He gives orders to unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out.” (Luke 4:36) Pray with us that Jesus will order this spirit of cancer out of Sarah’s body.
November 28, 2006
Sarah began the Interleukin treatments yesterday about 2:30. She will get a bag every eight hours for most of the week.
Donna and I were able to visit this afternoon and found her strong and in good spirits. She is having normal problems; lowered blood pressure, nausea, fever, but seems to be handleing things well.
Pray for mild to no effects and very effective treatment.
Jim & Donna
November 27, 2006
Sarah went in this morning. They have run tests and got her a room. IL2 Treatment will begin at 2:00 pm, and then every eight hours.
Let us PRAY.
"Let your face shine on your servant, save me in your faithful love." (Ps 31:16)
November 26, 2006
Greetings from Kentucy. We just arrived here and everyone is fine. Sarah is resting and hoping they can begin the treatments tomorrow. Pray that she is ready and that the doctors and staff are ready. We know that God is going to work wonders beyond our understanding.
Evelyn is busy flirting with Grandpa. She is now 11 weeks old and cuter than when we left two weeks ago. She is praying for her Mommy too.
If we can get things rolling tomorrow I'll try to get you an update.
May God continue to bless you all,
Jim & Donna
November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving Day
Sarah tried to get our attention today. About 3:00 pm she had a back pain starting in her shoulder, working down to her abdomen, and then back up to her chest. She finally got to where it was hard to breath, so she went to the hospital. They did chest X-Rays and CT scan and determined there was not any real new problem.
It appears that the pain med they took her off of three days ago finally wore off and allowed her to feel the cancer. They have re-medicated her this evening and sent her back home about 9:00 pm. She is now resting and says this shouldn't change anything; they still expect to begin the IL2 treatment on Monday.
We will travel to her house Sunday. Please pray for her healing, for the IL2 to work, and for our safe travel.
We love you all,
Jim & Donna
November 21, 2006
I haven't written because there is really nothing to report right now. Sarah's protien is so low that's it's taking longer than expected to bring her back up. She cannot begin treatments until her protien gets to an acceptable level, and it's moving slowly. For now she is resting at home and waiting for the treatments. We hope next week.
Pray for her to absorb the protien faster, to gain strength, and that the IL2 will work as it's supposed to work.
We have felt all your prayers and are so thankful that God is using each of you to plead Sarah's cause.
Jim & Donna
November 16, 2006
Sarah had radiation today for the 4mm spot on the left frontal lobe of her brain. The proceedure went well. Now pray that she escapes the potential side effects of bleeding & seizures.
The Begining
On September 9, 2006 we got a new Grand-daughter. Sarah and Raleigh welcomed Evelyn Claire into the world. She is a beautiful girl, and although she started small at 5lb, 14oz, she is making up for it and rapidly closing in on 9lbs.
About two to three weeks after delivery Sarah began having problems with diarrhea. We all thought it was a little bug and would quickly pass, but it continued until she was ready to return to work on October 30th. That morning she went to the doctor instead of to work and was admitted to the hospital for dehydration and to find the cause of the diarrhea. We went to their home in Kentucky, near Cincinnati to help take care of Evelyn. (Sometimes Grandparents get the tough jobs.)
They ran tests on Sarah from Monday till Thursday, finally concluding with a Colonoscopy. It revealed that the diarrhea was not the result of any virus as we thought, but the secretion of Melanoma cells throughout her Colon and Intestine. The pictures showed that the Melanoma is spread so that a simple operation is not an option. The doctors have said there is one treatment, INTERLEUKEN (IL-2). When this treatment works it is very good and will give many years cancer free. Down side is that it only works about 20% of the time. At this point we began calling everyone I could find in my cell phone to begin praying for Sarah, Raleigh, and Evelyn.
Sarah was moved to the Cincinnati University Hospital on November 7th, where they can do the IL-2 treatment. Since it will not cross the brain boundary they then did a head scan MRI which revealed a 4mm “undefined” spot on the left frontal lobe of her brain. Doctors don’t think this will affect the IL-2 and are preparing a precise spot radiation treatment to remove it.
The diarrhea and delivery have significantly lowered Sarah’s protein level and this must be up to do the IL-2 treatment. Since she can’t retain much of anything by mouth they are now working a Total Protein Nourishment through her IV. This should take about a week to build her up before they can begin the IL-2. So we have come home to gather clothes, etc. since we weren’t really planning on an extended visit when we went up Oct 30th.
Knowing that the solution here is not in medicine, but in God’s will, we covet your prayers for Sarah, Raleigh and Evelyn. Please claim with us the promise of Mark 10:27, “Jesus fixed his gaze on them and said, ‘For man it is impossible but not for God. With God all things are possible.’” We know that this is where the strength of heaven lies and that “He will trample down our enemies.” (Ps 108:14)
The hospital is supposed to have a site where you can follow Sarah’s progress. She is trying to check that and I will forward an address to you when we figure this out. Again, thank you for your prayers.
Send an email to Sarah and her family