50% Done

Not sure why, but I have the chorus to Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer" going through my head.  

"....whoa-oh, we're half-way there. Oh-oh, livin on a prayer. Take my hand and we'll make it I swear. Oh-oh, livin on a prayer." Yeah, I'm totally dating myself, I know.

This has been a good week.  Today was chemo #3. 3rd out of 6. 50%. She is half-way there! We moved it to today because yesterday, the 20th, we celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary.  It was a sweet time together. I took the day off, and we hung out together.  We went out for lunch - and it was was very nice to just be together, relaxed and reflecting upon the past year.  

Every year on our anniversary we do a review of the past year, and seek God's wisdom for what we should be focused on for the next year.  We try to set 3-5 verses that are our verses for the next year, and pray that the Lord would continue to teach us, bless our marriage and our children, and that we would all grow closer to him. Well, that prayer has certainly been answered in the past 4 months!

This year's plan was kinda simple. For two reasons. The first is that we just got back from a marriage retreat and we spent lots of time talking about our plan for next year. The second is that we both felt that the Lord was telling us that this next year is about getting back to what is core - back to the basics. So, it will be a rebuilding year.

Chemo went well today. The process is easier because it's familiar. The physicality is not any easier, but it's not getting worse either. This is a definite answer to prayer. Julie's red blood cell count is down - and while this is not a problem yet, it could be. It's been steadily dropping since the test she had right before the first chemo treatment. She is at 10.7 and if it gets below 10, Dr. Kim will have to do some supplemental treatments for iron deficiency. So, please pray for good counts the next three weeks. She also recovered from a urinary tract infection which sprung up late last week.

Julie's next chemo treatment is November 10.  This should give her a chance at feeling reasonably good for Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for this year for sure.

Our family continues to carry on in the midst of the trial. The girls are busy at school. Hannah is dancing 3 days a week and Sarah is spending lots of extra time applying to colleges. Work for me has been quite challenging recently - sadly we had to lay 3 people off this week which was extremely difficult. Please pray for them.

Specific prayer requests:

• Please pray Mark 16:18 for Julie
• That the side effects would be minimal the next 10 days
• Wisdom for Julie in making decision on how to care for herself
• Physical strength and avoidance of any infection
• Perseverance and joy in the midst of the trial

We deeply appreciate everyone's prayer, support, practical help, meals, etc...They all mean so much.  Thank you all for who you are and how you have come along side us.