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