But now, O Jacob{Jessica}, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3

Thursday, April 25, 2013

A Long Day's Night!


It has been a long day!  And while we had hoped for more definitive answers at this point there is still much to be learned about this adversary we face.    We will be partying it up at the hospital way past 11:00 PM tonight and tomorrow as well as additional tests and blood work during the day.  The doctors are currently working to schedule Jessica for a biopsy probably the first of the week.  While we have had a biopsy before, this biopsy is of the kidney itself.  Additionally, we anticipate tomorrow Jessica will be having a blood transfusion as her hemoglobin continues to drop.  All this information will be used to create the best possible treatment plan for this battle.  We and the doctors are committed to fighting as hard and as long as necessary.  Please understand the prognosis is serious.  We anticipate such things as radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, clinical trials and other alternative treatments.  At this time there is no conversation about removing the infected kidney.  This may be a conversation we have in a year.  It is our goal right now to stop the metastasis of the cancer from spreading further and further into the bones.  This is a hard blow for Jessica as we face the reality of what she is up against.  She will remain here at M.D. Anderson for treatments and will go back and forth between the condo and hospital as long as necessary.

We know that our God is bigger.  You would be very proud of how strong Jessica stood today! 
We are proud of her.  We read scripture.  We prayed. We ate.  We laughed.  At one point Jessica even had a magazine on top of her head.  She was full of the spirit because of the prayers of you, our faithful sojourners.  Now lift her up even more along with our family, as we face the hardest reality we have ever had to meet.  We understand our God is able but right now our hearts hurt and that’s okay.  Right now we are sad and that is okay.  Right now we are mad and that’s okay.  Right now we aren’t ready for conversations or phone calls and that is okay.  We know your thoughts and prayers are with us.  Be patient with us.  Continue to love us.  Continue to pray for us.  And yes, we still have hope!!!

Love in Christ
Sheila (Mom) and Jessica


16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.     
 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

15 comments:

  1. I hope you can feel me hugging you both!

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  2. We are standing in prayer with you Jessica!

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  3. Never forget...God is BIGGER than Cancer...

    When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with ~ Henry Ford ~

    “If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”
    ~ A.A. Milne ~

    I like quotes...I know God inspires people to share their wisdom to comfort others and show his love. I wish I knew some magic words...but I don't...so I will continue to pray for healing, love and strength.

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  4. Kay Crowe PressleyApril 25, 2013 at 9:55 PM

    Prayers for you all. No words can express how I feel in my heart. I will continue to pray for you all. Love you all

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  5. In our worst moments and the biggest trials we never get the answer to the "why" questions but we always have the answer to the "how". "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." God is with you all through each step of this journey.

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  6. Dear Jessica,
    I too had cancer with metastisis at the age of 27. I am now soon 66. God hears. You are in our thoughts and prayers. This Chris Tomlin song (Our God)comes to mind:

    Water You turned into wine
    Open the eyes of the blind
    There's no one like You
    None like You
    Into the darkness You shining
    Out of the ashes we rise
    There's no one like You
    None like You

    CHORUS
    Our God is greater, our God is stronger
    God You are higher than any other
    Our God is Healer, awesome and power
    Our God, Our God...

    Into the darkness you shining
    Out of the ashes we Rise
    There's no One like You
    None like You.

    Our God is greater, our God is stronger
    God You are higher than any other
    Our God is Healer, awesome and power
    Our God, Our God...
    Our God is greater, our God is stronger
    God You are higher than any other
    Our God is Healer, awesome and power
    Our God, Our God...
    BRIDGE
    And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
    And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
    And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
    And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
    What can stand against?

    Our God is greater, our God is stronger
    God You are higher than any other
    Our God is Healer, awesome and power
    Our God, Our God...
    Our God is greater, our God is stronger
    God You are higher than any other
    Our God is Healer, awesome and power
    Our God, Our God...

    And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
    And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
    And if Our God is for us, then who can ever stop us
    And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
    Then what can stand against?
    Then what can stand against?

    Our God is greater, our God is stronger
    God You are higher than any other
    Our God is Healer, awesome and power
    Our God, Our God...
    Our God is greater, our God is stronger
    God You are higher than any other
    Our God is Healer, awesome and power
    Our God, Our God...

    In Christ alone,
    John and Mary Jagt, FUMC

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  7. Thank you Sheila for keeping everyone updated... You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Blessings.

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  8. My heart and prayers are with you and your family as you face the days and months ahead. Many prayers are being lifted up for you.

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  9. Jessica - just know that in addition to all your friends and family, there are also many, many people like me...people you don't even know...who are praying for you. I pray God will bless you with strength and grace and healing. I pray over the doctors and nurses who care for you, that He will guide their hearts and their hands.

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    Replies
    1. These were almost the same words that I had typed to Jessica & her family but they were somehow deleted in the world of the internet. After failing to retrieve them, I looked at the last post & your words were much the same...reminding Jessica that in addition to those who know & love her personally, there are so many out there who have never met her & are lifting her needs in prayer. May the Holy Spirit provide her with the loving knowledge that He is with her every step of the way and may His grace provide her with a peace that surpasses all understanding. In His love, Faye & Fletcher

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  10. While you are here in Houston (or actually, all who are reading this) you can listen to www.godlistens.org or www.ksbj.org and find comfort 24/7/365. Thousands of Prayer Warriors around the world lifting you and family up.

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  11. prayers for you from England. strength, courage, patience, peace, and rest.

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  12. Remember, I was your nurse today in the ER. I really appreciate the faith in Christ and strong hope you have. Believe with a blind faith , nothing happens without His knowledge. Sufferings never goes beyond our limitations.He is watching over you all time.For the praise and glory of His name I need to see you cancer free, and you will be in my prayers everyday.

    Romans 5:2-5 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

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  13. Jessica, I join the throng of people that God has called to pray for you and your family. He reminds me so often to offer prayer on your behalf and it is my honor and joy to do so. We serve a MIGHTY God.

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  14. Believe in the power of healing Jessica! God has your back!

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