Update: September 1,2007

Dear Family & Friends,

 We have long waited for September to arrive. It means Ginny has completed five chemo cycles and has only one more to endure. On September 10th we have a landmark appointment with the specialist at Cedars Sinai. He will evaluate her progress and take tests to determine if she is a good candidate for a stem cell transplant. If so, he may give her a few weeks off for good behavior and then begin the grueling process of the stemcell process. In some ways we can’t wait to get this going. In another way there is a lot of uncertainty about blood harvesting,  isolation, harsh chemo, hair loss, nausia….and things not yet considered.  We are definitely, however, hopeful and looking forward.

 Ginny has had the most incredible care from doctors and her care-givers. They each in their own way give her daily encouragment and hope. She looks forward every day to spend time with her friends who come to love and care for her. They have a love for each other that is hard to explain. They read to her, pray with her, laugh, shop and eat together. They have become true sisters in Christ.

We were also pleased to have Ginny’s sister Marilyn and her brother n law Rollie Meyers stay with us recently for a few days.  Ginny also had many of her teacher friends come and spend a morning with her. They ate and had a ball. How meaningful this was to her. All of these people in Ginny’s life contribute to her treasured memories from the past as well as making memories each time they are together.

 Today Ginny needs to rest. Her pain has increased and spread to her legs and knees.  This is likely a result of the spine issues she has been facing. We are still waiting for a response back to her 2nd appeal to the Insurance Company for a spinal proceedure that hopefully will relieve this pain.

Thanks to so many at the church who continually provide meals.  They are a like manna(for me) because all I have to do is pick up the meals.  Thanks also to those who shower Ginny with love.  It means so much to both of us.  We feel very unworthy yet blessed to be the object of so much love.

Pray with us as we face the future. I’ll try to give an update after we see the specialist on September 10th.

“Let my cry come before you, O Lord, give me (us) understanding according to your word. Let my plea come before you, deliver me according to your word. My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your truth. Let your hand be ready to help me….Let my soul live and praise you….” (Psalm 119:169,170-171, 173,175)

Persevering by faith

Don & Ginny Smith 

Update August 4, 2007

Dear family & friends,

 August is upon us. Ginny has completed the 4th cycle of her chemo. She has two more cycles left to go before finding out if she will be a candidate for a stem-cell transplant in September. It has been a long journey but she has made significant progress. Let me give you a quick update.

Over the last few weeks Ginny has gained strength. She has been able to attend church as well as enjoy a lunch with a friend on the way back from a chemo treatment. She has been active making followup phone calls with those who have provided us with meals. She has also been diligent in pursuing letters and information for her 2nd appeal to the insurance company for a proceedure we believe would help eliminate present and future pain as well as preserve the integrity of her spine. She awaits their decision. She was also fitted for a back brace to help prevent further fractures. She has also had some fainting spells, back and hip pain and on-going fatigue but she courageously presses on.

We are also pleased to report that her blood markers are very encouraging. They appear to be in the normal range which hopefully means with two more cycles of chemo she may be in remission and a candidate for a stem cell transplant. It looks like her target date for this decision is September 10th when we visit our specialist at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Her doctor told us she may be given a few weeks of rest before entering the hospital to begin the transplant some time around the first of October. She would then be in isolation for about 2 1/2 weeks. 

Ginny and I would like to thank so many of you for your emails, cards, gifts and meals. We have had women from our church help her five days a week with the most loving and caring possible. They are helping us write letters, pay bills, make phone calls, travel for chemo treatments, water our in door plants, feed our 3 finches, prepare lunches and just be Ginny’s good friends. We couldn’t do it without their help. They have made it possible for me to keep up a full schedule in my church ministry. I am really endebted to them and their spouses for extending my ministry during this season in our lives.

Ginny is looking forward this week to being with some of her long time school teacher friends. She sure loves them and has great memories with them. It will really encourge her!

When further news is available, I will update this blog. In some ways no news is really good news because it means Ginny is doing well and progressing towards remission. 

Thanks to all of you who care and pray. We ask with the Psalmist, “You, O Lord, are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Uphold me according to your promise that I might live. Hold me up that I may be safe.” (Psalm 119:114,116,117) It amazes us to think how those with out faith in Christ can make it through the things we are facing. We can attest that He is our hiding place and shield in the midst of this battle for life.

We are grateful and hopeful.

Don & Ginny

Update July 11, 2007

Dear family & friends,

 On Tuesday, July 10th we traveled to see the oncology specialist at Cedars Sinai.  Our good friend Barb McIntyre went with us. She and eight other women from the church form Ginny’s care-givers team. They are awesome! The news in our opinion is very hopeful:

The doctor was very pleased with the protein marker which now shows her in the normal range. This doesn’t mean the cancer is gone but it does mean we are making great progress! He encouraged her to be active and walk to build her body back up. He said all things considered we would be back to see him in September (11th) at which time he would do further tests to see if she will be a ready candidate for a stem-cell transplant. If so he will prepare her for this. A week or so after this they can begin the procedure. When ready they will give her chemo and then the collection of stemcells  and then the final procedure probably mid October. During her hospitalization (2 1/2 weeks) she  experience mild sickness depending on her health and her reaction to the chemo.  This whole process depends on her staying healthy and kicking back the cancer.

We were also informed new research is being conducted on Multiple myloma. It may be helpful in planning her maintenance protocol.

So with the goal of health and perseverance for the next few months….. we go on. We want to thank all of you for your many kind expressions of love and care. We are overwhelmed by it all. Please continue to pray with us for Gin’s recovery and strength to face October.

Grateful and Hopeful

Don & Ginny

Update June 30, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

To all who have been keeping up with our journey, let me thank you. We both appreciate your thoughts and prayers. This week we have seen significant improvement in Ginny’s condition. Perhaps the best way to explain this is to let you read a copy of one of our care-givers report for Thursday written to all of us and the other care-givers. Here was the report:

THE GINNY REPORT

Thursday, June 28, 2007

“Ginny began her third round of chemo treatment today (almost to the half way mark).   …..Dr. Cheng said Ginny is definitely responding to treatment and went through the explanation (not much of which we understood) about the Aredia (the 3 hour infusion) which strengthens the bones to prevent breaking.  The cancer is responding the way they hoped it would, and if it continues that way, her stem cell transplant will be scheduled as planned in September.  Dr. C recognized Ginny’s improved outlook and increased strength.  He stayed for a very long time just visiting with us and grinning from ear to ear (we’re not sure why)  — very pleasant and most reassuring — . 

Dr. Vescio (stem cell doctor from UCLA) is scheduled for Tuesday, July 10.  On the way home, we picked up lunch at Baja Fresh – TWO tacos for Ginny with salty chips – she ate it all.  We shared from Luke chapter 4 (such a great book by an encouraging physician) and claimed the promises  Luke 4:40 NKJ …..“When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to HIM, and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.“  “He, Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.”  Matthew 8:17b   

Two different walks around the circle outside – one after lunch and one about 5 p.m.  In between we visited, watched TV and shut our eyes.  No pain pills today! Chemo seems to tire Ginny a bit (I must have great empathy because it wears me out too).  It was a restful afternoon, but a special day once again to spend with a very special friend.

Oh yes, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DON & GINNY — July 3. — Who da thunk????“

As you can tell, we have some wonderful women giving tender loving care for Ginny. But here is some encouraging news received after her blood test. When the doctors first made their diagnosis, her blood tested 9,500 for the cancer protein. The test after the first round of chemo reduced it to about 5,000. Her test this week came back at 1,200. That was a significant “kicking back” against the cancer. The doctor was pleased with the progress she is making. So are we.

Ginny hopes to join me at church this Sunday for our communion service. We look forward to being with our church family around the Lord’s Table. We have so much to be thankful for. Also, as mentioned above, we will be celebrating our 42 wedding anniversary on July 3rd. We look back with such gratitude for all God’s blessings on us, our children, grandchildren and church. We look forward with hope for many more years together. We are a blessed people!

May Christ’s grace strengthen us all,

Don & Ginny

 

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Update June 24

Dear family and friends,

This has been a full week. Ginny has gone through it with the help of your prayers and assistance. Here is a look back over the week:

• On Monday Ginny had to say “farewell” to her sister “Dorthy” from Kansas. She came and stayed with us for a week. Her help and care greatly encouraged us both. When she left it was hard for Ginny to say goodbye. Her sisters mean so much to her.  We also took Ginny back to her school classroom to say “farewell” to her children and her many treasured teaching friends. The children were seated on the floor waiting to see her. When I wheeled her in I must admit there was a huge lump in my throat as I fought back some tears. This was her farewell to 24 years of teaching. We didn’t see this coming. I didn’t know how she would handle this moment seated in  a wheelchair in the midst of her class and having teachers enter the room to give her a hug. She amazed me. She greeted the kids and put them to ease. One moment she was consumed with grief and pain. The next she was comforting her class. She wanted to know about them. She applauded their achievements. She asked if they noticed the puffiness of her face. They said, “No” (they were prepared and taught well). After a short time, she was ready to leave. Her energy depleted. When we got her in the car she cried. It was a huge release of a lot of emotions. Next we drove her to the doctor’s office for another day of chemo. It wasn’t the way she had invisioned retirement. When she completes here chemo process we will think about a more appropriate retirement celebration. Carolyn stayed with her in the afternoon helping debrief the day.
• On Tuesday she was joined by Barb. They learned Ginny’s spine proceedure had been denied by our insurance company.   This was discouraging since she had hoped this proceedure would not only stablize her spine but help relieve her pain.  We learned it was rejected because they considered it “experimental” which it isn’t considered by many other insurance companies and doctors across the nation. We tried to make an appeal through our doctor. This request was also denied. A further appeal is being planned however her date of surgery had to be canceled.
• Wednesday she went to see Andrew ( one of her grandsons) graduate from sixth grade at her school. She felt a since of accomplishment since she had accompanied and mentored him there since kindergarten. She did a splendid job. Everyone treated her so well at the graduation. It was a short but a great way to reconnect with the school as well as celebrate her part in Andrew’s life and education. Her friend Beth picked her up from the graduation and cared for her the rest of the day. I was able to resume my duties for the week.
• Thursday was another long day at the doctor gettng an infusion to strengthen her bones. It took almost four hours. She was accompanied all that time by Arnette, one of the dear friends from the church who care for her five days a week.  I was able to go to the office and carry on a regular and long day thanks to her. Our daughter Carrie stayed with her until I got home late from an elder meeting.
• Friday was a recovery day. She enjoyed her time with Debby. Together they talked and planned her day. They made a shopping list and went to the store. Gin stayed in the car. In the evening we had a wonderful meal together with our daughter Christy.  The meal was another great gift from our incredible church.
• Saturday is a day at home and maybe a drive by the beach. It is the day I finalize my sermon for Sunday. I look forward to us having the day together. I will be preaching Sunday from Psalm 119. I have come to realize the messages I prepare and preach are as much for me as others. I will say, “When afflicted God’s Word gives hope in the midst of the impossible, When afflicted God’s Word remains faithful in the midst of  difficult times” and When afflicted God’s Word revives our faint hearts.” Also tomorrow we are looking forward to the baptisms of three of our grandchildren, Luke, Annie Druckrey and Siena Keck. We hope Gin will be able to attend.

 To all of you who so faithfully pray, write and care we both express our deepest appreciation. We are living what we believe to be true. Christ is our hope, Faithful Savior and Life-Giver. Thanks for sharing in our lives.

Hopeful,

Don & Ginny

June 16 Update

Dear family & friends,

Since our last update there is much to be gateful for. Let me share the many reasons why:

1. First we are overwhelmed with the love and care of so many. Your expressions of kindness continue to encourage and lift our spirits.  We’ve enjoyed meals of every imaginable kind….home prepared build a burger, comfort food casaroles, mexican enchaladas, persian cuisine, chinese dinners, italian pizzas not to mention beef & pork roasts & ribs, ham dinners as well as wonderful tossed and pasta salads. Every time we sit down to eat one of these meals we give thanks for the giver and the love behind them.  This has encouraged us in so many ways.

2. We are encouraged by the hundreds of cards and letters that just keep coming in. Some of you have sent several cards so that the effect of caring keeps on going day after day. 

3. We are encouraged by the progress Ginny is making. The cancer is reluctantly fighting back yet retreating with the chemo. Blood tests affirm this.  And because the cancer is dimenishing her pain is dimenishing as well.  A few weeks ago Ginny was wearing three pain patches and taking break through medications every four hours.  Today she is not taking any pain medication and  has reduced her pain patches down to one.  This has encouraged us all.

4. We were encouraged last Tuesday by hearing she is a candidate for a proceedure on the spine that should help fortify four places on her spine.  The date has been set for June 25th. This proceedure (“kephoplasty”) will require an overnight stay at Saddleback Hospital in Laguna Hills. This is being done to help prevent further compression of her spine. She has numerous lesions or erosions through out her spine but this is also an attempt not only to help elieviate her pain but also prevent further damage to her brittle bones. Ginny is getting pretty good using her walker. If possible she walks in front of our house three times a day with the help of a walker and a companion.

5. We are encouraged by the women who have formed a team to help us five days a week. They tend to our every need. This has encouraged Ginny beyond explanation. They show their love to her in so many ways.  They take her to the doctor for regular chemo treatments as well as walk with her and care for her. This has really helped me get back into the daily routine of my ministry. As they help Ginny they are ministering to me and my pastorate.

6. We are deeply encouraged by our family. Our daughters tend to us in so many ways… grocery shopping, helping their mom get ready for bed, taking her to the doctor, brining by the grandchildren and “therapy dog”.  For Father’s Day they invited me to join them on a picnic at a local park overlooking the ocean.  I was able to sit down and just enjoy being with my kids, sons n laws and my grandkids. They are my true delight. They each designed and drew Father’s Day cards for me. Hallmark couldn’t say what that meant to me. Ginny and I are so blessed to be so loved.

7. We are encouraged by having “Dorthy from Kansas” (her sister) this week.  She joyfully took many of my duties and showered her sister with TLC. They are a team to be reckoned with.  “Dottie” came in with a whirlwind and will leave on a plane Monday.  We will miss her BIG  TIME!

8. We were encouraged last Sunday night when Ginny was able to attend our church choir concert. Eventhough we were unable to be there through the entire concert it was a delight. Ginny wanted to show her love and appreciation to the church, the choir and all those who minister alongside me. 

 On Monday next week, Lord willing, Ginny hopes to return to her school before the school year ends to see the children in her class. It will be a very touching day for us all. It is a farewell to the children as well as a farewell to 23 years of teaching.  Its hard to watch all these things come to a sudden and abrupt end but we are also hopeful to enjoy uncertain days ahead together. On July 3rd we will be celebrating 44 years of marriage! I fondly think back over those years giving thanks for every year we’ve had together. What an adventure! How blessed to have each other! How blessed to be a pastor! How blessed to have our family & grandkids! How blessed to have the Lord!

As you think of us be in prayer as we learn to persevere. Our goal is to get the myeloma in remission so we can have a stemcell transplant for her by October. In the mean time we are taking one day at a time…encouraged by you and blessed by the Lord.

Yearning for Christ

Don & Ginny

  

Update June 9

Dear Family & Friends,

 I am so thankful to give some good news for a change.  Ginny had some rough days early in the week with pain and fatigue. On Thursday, however, our doctor told us a recent blood test showed about a 70% decrease in a cancer protein marker. He was encouraged with this progress. He also ordered another MRI on her spine to determine if there were any new fractures. The results came back Friday night. They discovered a fracture in another part of her spine. Because of this she will be referred on to a spine specialist to see if she is a candidate for a proceedure called a kephoplasty. If so we hope she can have this done as soon as possible. This may decrease her constant pain. She wanted to know what they were doing tomorrow.

She is able to walk a bit more freely by using a walker. This is to relieve the pressure on her bones.  She is taking less pain medicine which helps her think more clearly.  One day this week she asked rather discouraged, “What should I do? I have cancer.” My response was “persevere! You focus on getting better. You don’t have to be nice. Nor do you have to appear spiritual for others.  If you don’t feel like visitors read your letters and emails. Rest in your faith that you have been justified. If you can’t pray there are hundreds of people praying for you. If you can’t do much at all let the many people who are surrounding you help.”

I was so glad I could offer the hope of resting in Christ while trying to survive pain and suffering.  I don’t know how other people can do this without the assurance of God’s infinite love and sovereign grace. He is in this with us by using you.

Monday Ginny hopefully will be able to go to the school district office to sign official papers for her retirement. Its too bad she has to retire without the joy of being with the people she so loved to work with and the children she enjoyed in her class. We are praying this day will come before school lets out for the summer.

Again, thanks to all our faithful prayer partners and helpers in our difficulty.  You have given us support, help, encouragement and hope. 

Let us know how we can pray for you.

Christ is our portion

Don & Ginny

June 6 Update

Dear Family & Friends,

 Yesterday, Ginny met with her oncologist for a update. Blood levels seem to be holding eventhough she still has shifting bone pain from the back, hip and sternum.  Because of this the doctor has put on hold for now the medical proceedure that addresses her ”hot spots” on the spine to relieve the pain. This possibility will be up for evaluation as we continue through the chemo cycles. If the pain seems to localize and be specific a kephoplasty will be considered again. Until then she begins the 2nd of six chemo cycles this Thursday. The final cycle is hoped to be completed some time in September.  At that point Lord willing she will be elgible for a stemcell transplant. Right now Ginny has some stronger days than others and some up days as well as down days.

We are overwhelmed with the continual flow of cards, letters, emails, blog messages and visits.  She isn’t up to many visits yet. Our goal is to get her to see the children in her school class. She misses them and her teacher friends. We also hope to get her to a church service or music concert when she has enough strength. Until then we are just trying to get her feeling better while continuing the chemo treatments which have various side effects.

Our great friends from the church have organized a team of women to care for Ginny five days aweek. They tenderly care for her and help with house chores without a complaint from her grateful husband. He is able to go to church and put in a reduced weekly schedule that includes preaching and performing weddings. For this he is so grateful.  The church also is feeding us with wonderful meals.  Her husband is adjusting his belt and trying to see his shoes. All he sees now is the tip of the shoe. Some exercize and discipline are in order. We just don’t know how to thank each of you for these many ways of showing Christ’s love for us.

 Ginny’s sister, “Dorthy from Kansas”is returning to spend some time with us. She is a welcome addition to Ginny’s day.  Our daughters, son n laws and grandchildren continue to care for us in so many ways. One of them is assigned “daughter of the day” (DOD). We even have a “grand-dog” we call “Therapy-Dog”. How’s that for a complete caring family?

 Thanks to all of you who express your care in so many different ways. We are doing well…somedays a little more rested than others and somedays a little more encouraged than others but we keep trusting the Lord. We cling to various biblical promises, each with hope. “in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love continue to comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live..” (Ps. 119:75-77) 

We don’t know our Lord’s plan but we know His heart. It is good! We don’t know his purpose but we know His power. It is omnipotent! We don’t know the future but we know His promise….eternal life!…it begins now and goes on forever more.

We are Christians! Christ is our portion!

Don & Ginny Smith 

May 29 Update

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

Birthday Update- May 9, 2007

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