Sunday, February 10, 2013

10 February 2013

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our family in the past few days. We have made it through, have regained strength and are ready to face this next week.


 
How true this scripture is: You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:5-7 NIV
 
This photo of Victoria in the pool was taken on Saturday. Doesn't she look a picture of health! Her hair has started to grow back, it is almost an inch long all over. The lack of hair loss was an answer to prayer.
 
The visit to the Oncologist on Thursday confirmed what the Neurosurgeon had told us. The tumour is stable. Chemotherapy will continue until July. Victoria just completed week 32 of treatment this week. Only 20 weeks to go!
 
 
In July, the chemotherapy treatment will stop. Victoria will have scans every 3 months to review what the tumour is doing. If the tumour remains stable and Victoria's health remains good nothing will be done. If the tumour grows again, another 12 month course of chemotherapy will be considered. The goal of the chemotherapy is to prevent or delay radiation therapy. Our prayer is that Victoria will remain well and the chemotherapy will prevent radiation. Surgery is no longer an option, the risks outweigh the benefits.
 
As for my car, we got it back from the repair shop yesterday, thanks to a wonderful mechanic who worked all day Saturday for us. And thanks to the generosity of a wonderful friend, we had the finance to pay for it. God definitely does listen to our cries for mercy and answers them.
 
 
Saturday afternoon we had a very early celebration for my mum's 70th birthday. Mum has been here from New Zealand for the past 2.5 weeks. She has been an amazing support, sticking with us as we ride the ups and downs of this journey, not shrinking back when the going gets tough. It was fantastic to relax and have some fun after two weeks of difficult trials. (Yes, in the midst of the past 2 weeks, Ken's office flooded twice!)
 
On a completely different note, Camp Quality have asked us to attend a camp this weekend as a 'mentor family' to families who have just received a diagnosis in the past 12 months. It is an honour to be asked, and overwhelming at the same time, as we are still in the midst of our journey. But then, so is God. He hears us, listens to us and answers us, these past 2 weeks have been testimony to that truth.
 
Prayer points
1. We will continue to fix our eyes on Jesus, despite the trials that come our way.
2. Victoria will remain well as she mixes with children at school.
3. Our family will be effective mentors at the Camp Quality new families camp.
 
Thank you so much again for your prayers, please do not underestimate their power. Thank you to for the practical support and encouraging emails. We need it all.
 
Love Ken, Wendy, Marshall, Charlotte, Victoria and Alexandra
 
 
 

2 comments:

Corinne P said...

Fantastic news to hear that surgery is not an option now for Victoria.
Good to read Betty was with you all for her 70th birthday.
And you will do a wonderful job being a mentor at Camp Quality. You are one of the most attention to detail people I know.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that Victoria's tumor is stable and the chemotherapy is keeping it at bay. You are all doing such a wonderful job. It looks like you had a lovely day for your mum's birthday. Great to hear that things got sorted out with the car and the mechanic rose to the challenge. Cars can be trying at the best of times.....
Love Auntie Michelle