Dear family & friends,
To all of you who have written us on this blog….thanks. It means a lot to us during this time. I will try to give you an update on Ginny’s condition and progress.
Last Friday, we had a consultation with our doctor at Cedars Sinai Hospital who is a mulitiple myeloma specialist. When we entered the doors of this very special place dedicated to the care and treatment of cancer patients we began to realize how vast this illness in our generation. Cancer patients roamed the halls and sat in the waiting room only glancing at Ginny in a wheelchair… unable to walk. They smiled as if to say “Welcome, we understand”. Some used walkers, wheelchairs and cains. Many were bald from chemo. Others were accompanied by family and friends awaiting their diagnosis or treatment. It was a world of humility and unpretentousness. We were here because we needed help.
Our doctor is the consumate professional, renowned for his research and specialty. When we wheeled Ginny in to his examination room he realized the severity of her illness and the extent of her constant pain. After hearing her story, he affirmed some important things. He claimed he was seeing about a 90% remission rate with his multiple myeloma patients. This doesn’t mean a cure but kicking back the cancer enough to perform a stem cell transplant. Beyond this it is a battle to keep the cancer in remission. Those percentages were not discussed yet. He also believed Ginny should begin to feel better every week. We haven’t seen that much progress yet but we are looking forward to days like that. The doctor showed us x-rays of Ginny’s spine. The cancer has compressed at least one place in her spine. It is likely causing some of her constant pain. We have been referred to another specialist who performs a “kephloplasty” or a proceedure that enters the spine and fills those weak places with a cement to strengthen the bone there. It is hopeful this will relieve some of her pain. No date of this proceedure has been set. He was also hopeful that a new cancer drug just approved may offer her some promise if needed. If all goes as hoped we anticipate a stem cell transplant some time late in September. Until then it is our goal to relieve the pain and endure the cancer treatment. We have some rough days and nights as well as some enjoyable days.
Our family and friends, like you from church and Ginny’s school keep lavishing us in love. Mondays through Friday volunteers from our beloved church come to care and encourage Ginny so I can go to the church or study at home. I am fulfilled in being able to preach again and be with the people who have loved us so much. We believe the Lord is revealing his love to us through you.
Because of the overflow of cards, letters, emails, meals and flowers I cannot begin to thank each of you as I would like. But please accept this note to all of you who pray for us and share your love for us how deeply appreciative we are for you. We hope Ginny will soon have the strength to visit her school to say farewell to her students and fellow teachers for all they have done for her. She is officially retiring in June after twenty-four years from teaching. We also hope to get Ginny to church sometime soon even if it means coming in a wheelchair.
We are convinced that “because God is infinitely good whatever He does is good.” We believe cancer is our enemy… not God. We find comfort in His Word and His promises. We realize God is gracious in giving us such a great family and circle of friends. His grace is also evident in the doctors and hospitals we visit. We are convinced with God’s strength we will see better days. For our Lord has promised, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” ( 2 Cor. 12: 9)
If any of you have need for prayer please write us back on this blog sight. We will be praying for you.
Comforted by God’s love
Don & Ginny
Dear family & friends,
Today is Ginny’s birthday. Yesterday had its ups and downs but last night had her best sleep. She awoke and is resting up for some family birthday time tonight. We anticipate a better day today.
As we are going through this stormy time our thoughts often turn to the Lord. I have been reading as time allows to nurture my life with Christ. A line from “When I Don’t Desire God, How to Fight for Joy” by John Piper has stimulated my passion. “Only God can create joy in God. This is why the old saints not only pursued joy but prayed for it: “Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us” (Ps.90:15) To be satisfied by the beauty of God does not come naturally to sinful people. By nature we get more pleasure from God’s gifts than from Himself.”
We are touched by the prayers of so many of you. Our dear church is gathering to pray for us this evening, Ginny’s birthday. How this gladens us. We also are praying our Father will be most glorified by our being most satisfied in Christ. We are praying to count this affliction with all joy. If glorifying Christ becomes our desire even in this difficult time joy will become our pleasure.
Thanks again to all of you.
Joy-Seekers
Don & Ginny
Dear family & friends,
In the eye of the whirlwind our Great God is found. He is not outside of our troubles but in the middle of them with us. We have sensed a quiet calm in the midst of tears and uncertainty. We have been in the storm for only one week but it seems like forever. Ginny has gone through some very difficult times. She is now at home with us. Today she showed more strength and energy.
We can’t express how deeply we appreciate the outpouring of your love and concern. We have received flowers and gifts on our doorsteps, messages in our email and cards in our mail. Ginny has read them and wept with gratitude.
Let me update her medical condition. Our doctor has been able to look at most of the test results. He has expressed his amazement at the “aggresive and rapid” growth of the cancer. Last week on Wednesday, Ginny was teaching. She went to the doctor to read a blood test. Our world has dramatically changed since then. The doctor has prescribed a treatment protocol. He told us the next couple months may be rough but he will be meeting with us every week for a while. He has told us it will take at least two months before we can tell much about the success of the treatment. He has called for more MRI’s to determine why she is in such pain in her hips. We received news today some of the latest blood tests show some stablizing. We will not be going to Cedar Sinai until at least four to six months depending on her condition. So as of now we are trying to make daily ups and downs our lifestyle.
The church has been gracious to give me some time to sort out my life, duties and routines at home. I am hopeful to return in a limited capacity to my ministry in a week or so depending on Ginny’s condition. I know this is going to be a long journey. I am tyring to keep looking ahead with hope but taking one day at a time with grace. My family have rallied around us in a wonderful way. Ginny delights to spend time with them. As she gets stronger we hope to make the most of warm sunny days by sitting on our deck and enjoying the scenery. I am grateful for any time we can share together while we wait for the treatment to do its work.
Thanks to you bloggers for expressing your concern. I hope to do updates at least once a week unless there is important new information. To any of you praying for us…if you have need for prayer feel free to add your need so we and others can pray for each other. Perhaps “care-mail” will be a place for those of us going through a rough time to ask for prayer.
In the eye of the windstorm of adversity not only is God there but He speaks in soft and gentle ways through the love and kindness of His church. We feel loved and cared for. In the eye of the storm there is a strange quietness even though things seem to be whirling around us. Our faith is strong, our resolve determined and our weakness revealed. Thank the God of the Windstorm for “Preserving Prevailing grace!”
Don & Ginny
Dear family & friends,
Everyday we feel like we are being carried along by the winds of your prayers. We know so many are praying for us as we trim our sails over these rough waters. Some days it seems placid…other times rather stormy. Through each though we sense the Master is not on the sea but in the boat with us. This is our great comfort…Christ is with us!
Our latest medical update came Monday. Ginny is very sore and weak. Her resolve is stronger and her mind clearer. There seems to be progress in general health but it is very slow. The doctor has been refining her medications to help control her pain. She was approved for a special drug and will be available soon. We were told to aim for two to four months as markers for monitoring her progress. Therefore it will be a slow but necessary process. The last few days she enjoyed sitting and sleeping outside on our deck. It refreshed her spirit and mine. We are grateful for the scenery!
Some of asked about my plans. I am planning, Lord willing, to return to limited pastoral duties next week as I find openings in Ginny’s care. I love the church and find it energizes me to be around those who share my passion for Christ. As we make cancer treatment a “life-style” we will know more about how much time I can give to ministry. I hope more and more each week.
Thanks again for all the cards, emails and dinners. I am going to have to watch how much I eat with all this good food. Your letters and emails have truly encouraged and touched our hearts. We are so blessed! God is so good! and we are so hopeful!
Grateful Mariners
Pastor Don & Ginny
The Evangelical Free Church of Laguna Hills is setting up a schedule to provide meals for the Smiths, Druckreys, and Kecks. This is a very practical way that we can show our love and support during this difficult time.
If you would like to participate, please contact Fran Connelly at franc2@efclh.org with two preferred dates during May 14th-31st. Meals should consist of an entree and a side dish, feed 4 adults, and be delivered to the church by noon of your scheduled day.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. –Galatians 6:10
May 3, 2007
Dear Church Family & Friends,
The last few days have been a whirlwind of shock, concern, and activity surrounding Ginny in the hospital and her diagnosis of having Multiple Myeloma. We are so grateful for God’s general grace in giving us such a fine hospital with great doctors, nurses & medicines helping us fight for Ginny. The enemy has been identified, thoroughly spied out, and visited. It is an ugly enemy. But today we are prepared to fight back vigorously. Ginny has made great progress in gaining back some of her strength. She will, Lord willing, be coming home Thursday. That will lift all our spirits. A protocol has begun and still being planned to attack the cancer. We have been referred to Cedars Sinai for further consultation and possible treatment.
We are learning what Christ meant about taking one day at a time, as well as the sufficiency of his sustaining grace. We are also delighting in our family who is making us feel very special, and we are so grateful for our church family who is covering us in prayer. Thanks for all the flowers, cards, and email. Our pastoral and office staff, along with our church leadership, is terrific! We believe the church is in great hands.
Our faith, though shaky at times, is absolutely confident in God’s sovereign grace. How else can we face the hardships and trials of life with comfort and hope? As more information comes….and it will very shortly…I will attempt to let you know.
Please continue to pray for us. It is God’s ordained means of accomplishing what He ordained for us. Thanks for joining us in this battle. We are not battling God’s will but battling the curse. We are clinging to Christ and His Word which promises, “But thanks be to God who always leads us in His triumph in Christ…” (2 Corinthians 5:14).
As you pray for us we will be praying for you. Our crisis has helped us feel our partnership with so many who struggle day in and day out for answers to their prayers. We are so grateful for God’s grace that surrounds us.
Cling to Christ by faith,
Pastor Don
Ginny remains hospitalized until all tests can be completed. She has begun a first step of treatment and is still receiving blood transfusions until she can be released. Plans are to give her radiation therapy as soon as possible. She has been referred to Cedars-Sinai Hospital. They are known for their expertise in Multiple Myeloma treatment. Plans will then be made to harvest her blood and then perform a stem cell transplant. All the family thanks you so much for your many prayers and offers of help. You are becoming Christ’s way of comforting and helping us in our time of need.
Pursing Christ,
Pastor Don
To our church family,
We ask for your prayers for Ginny. She has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She is presently at Mission Hospital for testing and medications. Please, no visitors.
Pray for wisdom, comfort and relief as we investigate our medical options.
If anyone has questions, we will keep the office updated as to her progress.
We love and appreciate our church family
Pastor Don
