Celebrating 40 Years Together!

 We made it to 40!  God is so good! 

We are spending a few days in Santa Cruz. Our original plans we made a few years ago were to be in Portugal or the Azores this anniversary. Those plans are on hold. Lord willing we will get to do that next year!

I’m just thankful to have my best friend still with me, getting stronger every day. 

Life is not always the way we plan and things don’t always happen the way we want, but when you’ve been together this long and living for the Lord, you learn to roll with the punches. You get up every day and make it a new start. Realize no one is perfect, life on earth is not perfect, and we all share the same goal…to hear those words “well done”. 

(A clip from our first day at Santa Cruz…at the end, I leave Gene hanging…had no idea he was trying to give me a kiss😂😂🤣🤣)

Geno‘s first big outing in almost 3 months

 Friday was a great day! The first day that he felt really good. He’s had a few days this last week that started off good but by midday was not as well. However, Friday was exceptional! Thank you, Jesus! We’re believing this is the beginning of his full recovery. We do plan on making it to church, to the building, on Sunday. We’re going to see how he feels in the morning, but if he’s not able to do The morning service we will come in the evening. Fair warning, he wants to hug everybody!

 

It's a new day!

Waking up this morning and realizing that we just closed a chapter and opened a new one, gave me such a wonderful feeling and a grateful heart!  Gene has been through 2 months of chemo and radiation treatments to help battle this cancer...and today that is done!

God is so good!  The doctors told us that the tumor was almost not visible, and they feel that the next few weeks will continue to melt it away.  Even though he's not actively receiving the medicine or radiation, it will still be working in his system to eradicate the cancer.  THIS WAS AMAZING NEWS!

Here's a glimpse of his last appointment...he got to ring the bell...signifying the close of this part of the journey.

You'll see in the picture that Gene asked the team if he could have a pen and paper, so that he could write a sign for the picture.  He told them that he wanted to make sure Jesus got the credit for being the head of this team.  Since he couldn't be here in body, he wanted his name in the photo! Right above his completion certificate that the cancer center gave him, he's holding a paper that says the Name above all names...JESUS! 

Physical therapy starts next week sometime.  Then he has a follow up appointment for an exam and blood work in 30 days!  We are believing by that time the tumor and all signs of cancer will be gone...In Jesus' name!

This is the next chapter, and we know God is with him! Our job right now is to get him well and healed up from radiation damage, get him back to eating a regular diet to build up his strength, and do the physical therapy they proscribe.  In a couple of weeks, depending on his strength, we may attempt to attend church.  I just have to make sure his immune system can tolerate that first.  He's lost 25lbs in two months, but he didn't loose much hair.  He's still in a good deal of pain and has to rely on the medicine to manage that right now.  So another goal this next few weeks is to wean him off of the meds as, hopefully, the pain lessens.

We are so thankful for all of the love, prayer, messages and texts, food, get well cards and support.  The family of God is amazing and we are forever grateful for each one of you!  I ask that we bind together over this next few weeks and pray for a full recovery!  Your prayers are keeping us going and making all the difference.  Gene and I could never repay you for all the love and kindness, but we are asking God to heap blessings on you and your families!

 

Getting Close to the Finish Line for Treatments

 Happy Monday,

Chemo is done!  Thank you Jesus!

Gene has been pretty out of it this weekend and is not feeling very well today; however, his spirits are high, and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Please continue to pray for his strength to return, as he finishes up his last two weeks of radiation.  

We are believing for complete healing!

Starting Week 5

 I want to start off with a praise report...the tumor is shrinking!!!!   Thank you Jesus!

Last week was rough to start off.  Trying to manage pain and such, however, by the weekend, things leveled out and this morning Gene actually said he felt a little better.

He is still pretty weak, and spends most of his time horizonal, but the pain is under control.  I'm hoping this means the next few weeks will be easier for him.

Today he started his next round of chemo, so please pray that he doesn't have terrible sickness.  So far so good with that, to God be the glory!  Prayer works and we know the Lord is right here with us!

As I sit in the room with him while he's getting his first of two infusions, I can't help but long for the day when this season is over.  Not being able to travel to see grandkids, no going to the beach or riding our bikes, not even being able to attend church, all of that has a way of eating at you.  Gene gets stir crazy some days, and it's all I can do to keep from crying, watching my strong and independent hubby just lay in the bed helpless.  He's still stubborn, don't get me wrong, which in this case is helping him heal, I'm sure.  Gene will sit in the office for short stints to get a bid done or look over plans, but those times have become shorter and farther between.  

Today we are over halfway through the planned treatments!  And with the comment Gene made this morning about how he actually feels a little better, I am believing that it will only get better from here on out!

I'm asking for special prayer for Booker and Cielo.  Booker has been carrying an extra load, and I don't know what we would do without him. He and Cielo have made many sacrifices to accommodate our situation. We are forever thankful! They don't complain, or even let on that they are put out by anything, but I know it's been trying at times and a challenge. Please pray for them!

You've all been so encouraging to us, and I wanted to leave you encouraged today!  God is in control...He's got this....and all is well!

Week 3

 God is so good!  He is always right on time and it’s so amazing watching Him use His church body to minister one to another. 

This has been a difficult week. Increased pain and fatigue. However, everyday, messages and texts with prayers and encouragement have been received 🩷. What a difference this makes!  Thank you Jesus for the beautiful people you’ve sent our way that have poured love and kindness into our life! 

Week 2

 Waking up this morning, to the crisp air and overcast sky, was so refreshing!  It made for a great backdrop to morning coffee and devotion. 

Thankful! Knowing God is on the throne and He cares about us, that he’s taking care of our needs, even the small things, makes me so thankful. 🥰  Every day is a new opportunity to experience His grace and mercy. It’s so easy to look around and see His handy work. How everything so effortlessly falls into sync and works together perfectly…that’s my God!  

How can we worry about anything when the creator of the universe is your daddy!  He always provides, protects, and loves us, He never fails!  

Another week down and closer the finish line.  Gene is doing good, all things considered.  Everything is on track according to the doctors and he should start feeling and seeing results soon.  We know he will.  They told us to expect it to get worse before it gets better, but today Gene felt like things were changing!  No matter how small, that is our victory report and we are thankful.  Even a small change is still change in the right direction!  We receive it, thank you Jesus!  

Besides the pain and weakness, the hard part for him is not being able to do much.  Because of his compromised immune system, I couldn’t let him go to the hardware store, which he insisted would be fine….not on my watch!  So we settled for a stroll around the property…better idea!  

It is the perfect day to be out and the little bit of exercise was just enough!  Thank you Jesus for the cooler weather and a safe place to let him walk!  

Radiation continues everyday next week and we know we will be able to share good results from that!  🙌🏼♥️🙏🏼 We appreciate all your prayers and messages of encouragement!!!💕💕