Hospice of the Valley

As I sit here searching for the right words I’m lead to scripture, to John 14:6 where Jesus said to Thomas “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus’ words have helped me process all that has happened the last couple of months and especially the decisions made over the past week concerning Leroy’s treatment.

On Friday, March, 21, 2008 Leroy decided to stop all treatments and to let nature take its course. Hospice of the Valley was called and on Monday morning a wonderful RN with Hospice came over explained what Hospice does, talked to Leroy and enrolled him that afternoon. Today, Leroy’s nurse and social worker were over to walk us through this process and to reassure Lois that someone will always be available to help her. The people who work for Hospice are simply amazing. They are full of compassion and really want to be there to help all of us through this difficult time.

Knowing Leroy’s heart has made me stronger and seeing his peace about these last decisions has directed me to have peace as well. I pray that we may all continue to experience the peace and comfort of God more and more during this time. Above all I pray that God’s sovereign grace will cover us all as Leroy journeys through his last weeks and days. May God be glorified in this journey, may we be able to touch the lives of those who enter Leroy’s home. May God be ever present in all that we do.

In all this we can have joy knowing that God has pre-ordained all of Leroy’s days and that Jesus will welcome Leroy to his eternal home at the end of this journey. All praise be to God the Father of our Christ Jesus.

Thank you again to all of you for your kindness, love, support and prayers. We will never be able to thank you enough for all that you have done for us. Thank you, thank you, and thank you .

Treatment update

Last week we received an update on treatment for Leroy. He will be doing additional radiation on his left femur. He also will be doing three more months of chemotherapy, three weeks on one week off. He has cut back his morphine and it has helped a little with his stomach issue. Although he is not currently in treatment now he is VERY tired. He seems to have NO energy at all. Please pray for energy as he will need some to start treatment again. He has test and measurements tomorrow early and unless he is feeling better he may not make it. Please again I ask for prayer that he will feel better along with some energy. Thank you so much for all of your prayers, we really appreciate the support.

Test Results

This is going to be the most difficult update I have had to write. Last Wednesday we received results from Leroy’s latest test. Let’s start with the good news. The cancer has not invaded the liver or other organs around the pancreas. This was wonderful news, but unfortunately the doctor then shared with us that Leroy’s pancreatic cancer has metastasized. For those of you who do not know what this means, the cancer has moved to the blood and gone to other parts of the body. In Leroy’s case it has gone to his bones and is concentrated in his left femur. The only way to conclusively determine that the spot on this femur is cancer is to biopsy the cancer. This is extremely painful and since all other indicators show cancer, the doctor will not be doing this test. This is heart breaking news since it places Leroy’s cancer in stage IV which means the disease is considered inoperable and terminal. What does this mean for now? Leroy will complete his initial round of chemotherapy and radiation tomorrow. Then he will wait for re-evaluation. His first appointment will be in four weeks since the chemotherapy and radiation continues to work for up to eight weeks after treatment.

So now that I have stunned some of you, I know you are asking how you can help. The best way to help both Leroy and Lois is to support the decisions that Leroy makes concerning his treatment. We ask that you pray for Leroy to feel better as chemotherapy and radiation have been very taxing on his body. You can encourage Leroy and Lois to make the best of the time they have left together. Most of all, you can pray for healing for everyone in the family. This has been very difficult for our family so praying for all of us would be very helpful. We trust that God will not give us a challenge that we cannot endure.

Leroy’s bible verse he has returned to often during all of this:
(Praises for the Lord’s mercies)
Psalm 103: 11-19

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities his children,

So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

14 For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

And its place remembers it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting

On those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children’s children,

18 To such as keep His covenant,

And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven,

And His kingdom rules over all.

blogging today

Just so everyone knows I will have an update for all of you today. Most likely I will post this afternoon.

Finding Joy

This journey has been both painful and amazing. You are most likely thinking what is she talking about. Yet, I am everyday thanking God for the journey He has put before us as a family, because it has drawn us all closer to God. I was reading through Job this week and was struck by Job’s un-sinking faith when he was suffering. Unbeknownst to Job, God was contesting with Satan therefore Job was suffering. He did not know this nor did anyone else so they struggled to explain the suffering. It was not until Job completely rested in nothing but faith in God’s goodness and the hope of His redemption that Job understood. God was vindicated by his trust is the message in the book of Job, and therefore is VERY powerful lesson. When there are no rational, theological explanations for disaster and pain, trust God. (Macarthur study Bible)

I have quietly sat back and watched everyone and everything that has transpired over the last couple of months and have truly been amazed of the glory that has been given freely to God. I have watched people volunteer time to help with the most mundane of tasks. Watched letter after letter of encouragement roll in from old and new friends. What has touched me more than any of these things is Leroy’s unwavering faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He would laugh if he knew I was sharing this story so I am choosing to share it with everyone.

…after Leroy’s endoscope ultrasound (while still under the influence of Ketamine) he was very funny, talking to anyone who would listen and yes sharing the gospel with everyone. So, “drunk” Leroy shares the gospel with youthful enthusiasm and joy. I love this story because it really shows Leroy’s heart and how it beats for the truth of Jesus Christ and His message of redemption and salvation through grace. Leroy you simply overwhelm me with your love for the Lord and your joyful heart even though your body is enduring so much pain.

As for Leroy’s weekly update, he could use your prayers for comfort as he has had a couple of bad nights and days. His stomach is having some complications ( if you know what I mean) and it is making him feel awful. He is not eating much because of this and we all dislike it when Leroy does not eat. No food, no weight gain. No weight gain equals less strength, and less strength makes it harder to fight the fatigue of chemo and radiation. He did get both tests completed, but we will not know anything until the middle of next week.

Thank you again for all of your prayers and support.
With great love,
Stephanie