It’s Monday, it’s raining, I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck, everything that goes down comes back up…and it’s a good day.
My white blood counts are still way down, which prevents me from doing some things I wish I could do…like go to church and hug all my friends. All my counts are pretty border line, but I’m still getting treatment, which is good. That makes this my last full week here!
In the midst of this, we have good news. Today’s labs showed my tumor markers have been reduced by half! A normal reading would be between 0-35. At diagnosis, my number was well over 1,000. Now it’s 500! We can’t read too much into this other than the number is moving in the right direction. I think we can, however, attribute the good news to prayer and wonderful care from my doctors.
I had a great weekend at home with my family and my parents came in from the coast of North Carolina to see us. That was a blessing! We had church together on our front porch on Sunday.
My radiation ends Friday, but the effects last for another four weeks. I’ll have to wait that long to see whether my tumor is operable. There is a lot of waiting connected with cancer.
I don’t feel well enough to write a clever closing…so I’ll just sign off here. Thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers. The best part of my day is checking in here to see who has written. It means the world to me knowing ya’ll are “out there!”
Much Agape,
Ann
Ann,
That is so awesome that your numbers are coming down!!! God is at work. Glenn and I truly enjoyed the time we could spend with you and Randy yesterday. By the way, at every meal so far when we have prayed we’ve told God “Ann is ready!”. I know that will not make any sense to everyone that reads this, but you know what we are talking about. I love you and can’t wait for you to come home, so we can visit more often. Tell Randy we said, “hi”. Five more days left … the end is almost here. Susan
Ann , glad you got your N & S , or your S &N. Never knew a Susie without an S … or an N.
It also tapped my creativity. Late summer in Columbia … back in my days, long before yours, it was a special time. Thinking of you because you are such a special person … a great legal mind, too.
Great web site & blogs … you are such a pro. Friend .. ben k.
Dear Ann,
We are thrilled to learn that your counts have come down by half. Isn’t our Father just awesome?!!! There isn’t a day that goes by that we have not failed to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. The one thing that seems to be consistent is “Lord just help her to keep looking beyond these dark moments and to keep looking up to you”. You are a dear sister in Christ and we look forward to having you back in Evansville. Please let Randy and your children know that they also are in our prayers.
In Christ,
Jon and Susan Austin
Ann, what great news .We continue to lift you and your family up everyday. We think of you also everyday as we prepare for the upcoming Chrysalis weekend.We look forward to having you and Randy give your talks to the team and Caterpillars.We have had great response from the youth at Aldersgate.I pray that as you lift your hands to praise our God, that you can feel His hands holding you up.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Ann, our dear Lord woke me up last night thinking of you and your family.
He sent 2 songs to my mind. (1)”Oh no, You never let go, through the calm
and through the storm, Oh no, You never let go of me.”
And (2)”Your name is a strong and mighty tower,
Your name is a shelter like no other, Your name I want to say it louder
because nothing saves like your name”. (please laugh out loud with my lyric mistakes!)
In this last week of treatment, the meds are going to take you way down. And I know
He using them to attack & kill the cancer cells! Rest in His arms because
“we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.”
Romans 8:28 “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not
spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along
with Him, graciouly give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32 You are so dearly
loved by all of us and especially by Him! I pray you will feel Him
carrying you through this storm. I pray He fills you with His love, strength, courage
and wisdom. I pray He protects the rest of your body from these meds.
And I pray you’ll be with us for a very long time because of who
you are. It excits me to think how blessed you will be when you get to heaven and
see EVERYONE who has be affected through this sickness in you.
I remember the first time I really got to know you was in your talk for Chrysalis 23,
“Why didn’t someone tell me?”. Well, Ann, your shouting out for our Lord and
He openning hearts to hear! I’m looking to seeing you soon. I love you, Ann!
Kim
Hi Ann,
You don’t know me but I got your name from a friend Melissa Delk in Melbourne, FL. My sister age 51 was justy diagnoised with inoperable Pancreatic Cancer. Her CA 19 score is 502. She starts Chemo in a Clinical Trial at the Univeristy of Miami Medical Center. From everything that we read there has not been a lot of research due to the condition of most patients. My sister is in great health and they look for her to do well but like you the tumor must shrink in order for them to do surgery. I am wondering what the Chemo is that you are on . I thing by sharing this information maybe patients can learn and assist in their care more. Her Chemo will be: Gemcitabine, Oxaliplatin, and Cetuximab. The have not said she could do Radiation but I see that you do get radiation too. I know that you are not feeling well but if any family member could share this information with us we’ll be most greatful. I will write as we go through the process too if that would be ok with you. I pray for your success in the process and hope that both you and my sister come through this as success stories. THANK you for sharing your story it is wonder to have this contact. God Bless You and your family.
Dear Ann,
My husband had throat cancer and with the blessing of wonderful Doctors and nurses he was give 3 1/2 years when he was told he only had one. Have you tried sipping on Ensure…its a liquid nutritional drink. Just a little at a time. I too am battling a chronic illness. while I once thought only of a cure, I now just think of each moment and enjoy them as much as I can. I know it is hard. If you think of the hardest thing you thought you would ever do and multiply that by 100…that is what it is like to fight any life limiting disease. My prayers are with you each day and I will submit your name to our church for prayer.
Sincerely with HUGS
Ruth
Your name was brought before our Bible study this morning and as I was on my way to work I thought of you again in the words of this song.
Remember your people,
Remember your children,
Remember your promise Oh God
Your Grace is enough for me.
I’m covered in Your Love.
OKAY- I know this is a few days late………………….but I just read Susan’s entry and had to add…………..Although I don’t know
the inside joke, I have been praying at every meal and snack for your peace! Just thought it was cool regarding the food thing……
I LOVE YOU!!!
Ann,
Just stay strong, focused and mainly – continue praying. You’re results are very encouraging and everyone who loves you
(and so many people who don’t even know you but have been touched by this) continues to travel this journey with you.
I can’t wait for you to come back to church and pass out the hugs you mentioned!
God’s peace and comfort be upon you,
Much love,
Sally
Ann, What a blessing it is to know you are at home. I just got chill bumps knowing how YOU, your FAMILY and your covenant brothers and sisters are honoring God through the trials your going through. Just had to let you know. My family missed our opportunity to make the trip to welcome you home, but you were in our prayers that glorious evening. As my daughter puts it, “YOU ROCK”!!! It continues to amaze me how God keeps putting you on my families thoughts and prayers. I sent a blog last week to let you know of how many “Moore” people were praying for you, but didn’t hit return in the right place. OK, I sell toilets for a living and missed my opportunity at stand up comedy, but through the grace of God I hope you found that funny.
Eight of my covenant brothers have been praying for you, Randy and the kids over the past several weeks. One brother works for a company in Salt Lake City. He is the ministry director that builds God churches and church schools throughout the US. Once a week the company comes together for corporate prayer, business stops, and God is honored. Praise God!!. To the point. Ann, you and your family are being covered in prayer by over 350 covenant churches, associates, and followers of Christ in the US. I know size does not matter, (where 2 or more are gathered together he is there),but I know that many people are gaining faith from your example as a faith filled, healed, blessed, child of Christ. On a personal note, the way you honor God every day, motivates me to do more within the kingdom. I HAVE NO EXCUSES as you have shown me!!! May God continue to bless you and your family as you, Randy and the kids have blessed the kingdom through your actions, faith and Love for Christ. What a blessing you are to sooooooooo many people.