May 31 Wednesday

Dear friends and family, near and far,

In order to relieve some of the communication pressure that Danielle and Timothy are currently feeling, we have decided to set up a blog to keep you updated as much as possible and also to make you aware of specific prayer requests.   They have been overwhelmed by the expressions of love and concern coming their way via phone calls, emails, texts, or other communication.  While it is certainly a blessing to be surrounded by so many people offering support, it is also emotionally and physically exhausting to communicate well with each and every one of you.  It is our hope that this blog may be a help to everyone involved in this difficult trial.  Words of encouragement can be left as a comment on blog posts, and cards sent via snail mail are also especially encouraging and will be a great support to Danielle and Timothy. 

So that you may be aware of the current situation, a brief history:

After many months of praying for a child, a sister for their little Martha, the Lord blessed Danielle and Timothy with a little one who is due at the end of October.  Danielle has been experiencing stomach cramps and pain for the past two months, and midwives and doctors attributed this to the pregnancy.  A visit to the emergency department on May 15 led to an ultrasound appointment the following day.  The imaging revealed several spots on Danielle’s liver, and the doctor performed a biopsy the same day.  At a follow-up appointment on May 25, Danielle and Timothy received the devastating news that the spots were determined to be metasticized cancer, likely originating from the bowels. 

Many appointments were scheduled for this week, including with an Oncologist, a Gastro-Intestinal specialist, and a Maternal-Fetal Health high-risk Obstetrician.  A colonoscopy was done on Wednesday, and an MRI is scheduled for next week Monday to hopefully determine how far the disease has spread.  This in turn will give the doctors a better idea on how to treat the cancer, also keeping in mind what effect these treatments may have on their 18 week old baby.  There are possibilities for 1 or 2 different chemo treatments, as well as surgery but a timeline for treatment is still up in the air.  At the moment it seems there are more questions than answers – this situation is so impossibly awful and hard to understand.

We know that the Lord is good, and we know He is in control of all things.  We know He loves His children enough to send His Son to die for us – to pay for our sins – and to rise again – to give us eternal life with Him in glory.   We know these things, and we know that He is faithful. 

However, we do not understand why this had to happen.  We are broken and hurting and floundering in a sea of sadness and tears.  The Lord does not delight in pain and suffering.  In this broken world and in this broken time, the only thing we can do is to turn to Him for our comfort and assurance, to trust Him to provide the strength and courage for each step of this trial, day by day. 

“But now, this is what the Lord says –

He who created you, O Jacob,

He who formed you, O Israel:

‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name;

you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour”

Isaiah 43:1-3

Please keep Danielle and Timothy, Martha and the baby in your prayers:

* For healing - He is the Great Physician, and a miracle is not outside His power. 

* For physical, emotional, spiritual strength to get through each day

* For the team of doctors as they map out a treatment plan