Most Urgent Prayer Request: My Dad Has Cancer

Raven · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 9:53 pm

11:00. If the tumor is confined, it should last about 4 hours. If they have to go after the lymph nodes, then it will last about 7 hours. Thanks so much!

TheosEleos · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 7:19 pm

I have been praying for your dad all day, Gaylen. I'm sure this is the last place you are thinking about right now. I look forward to hearing the report.

Raven · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 12:30 am

Great news!

Well, my dad had the surgery on New Year's Eve. He had to have his left Parotid gland removed which is where the cancerous tumor was. The surgeon also removed several lymph glands in the immediate area for biopsies. There is not cancer in the lymph glands that he checked. They are still running some test on the tumor to determine if this was metasticized from his skin cancer or was a primary Parotid tumor. He will now need to got hrough 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. This will cause a physical drain on his body, we understand, round about the 3rd or 4th week. This is all precautionary now as the cancer is suspect and they want to be sure that there are no scattered cells in that area that could rear their ugly head in 8 to 10 months.

We sincerely thank you for all your prayers thus far and continue to covet them as we head into this next phase. His spirits are high, especailly since we were able to bring him home today. This treatment is to begin within the next 6 weeks and will take 6 weeks from commencement.

Thank you once again on behalf of all concerned!

Gaylen

fury · Worker Joined: Sep 09, 2003 Posts: 165

Glad to hear that everything looks good

blith · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 11:40 am

wonderful news!! continued prayer going out to you and yours!!!

TheosEleos · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:57 pm

How is your father doing, Gaylen?

Raven · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:12 pm

Good to see you back! He is doing very well, thank you. He only has 12 treatments left. He is starting to tire a little more, but his overall condition is much stronger than we had expected. Thanks to all for continuing to keep him in prayer!

Raven · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 12:03 am

Progress report

Thank you all so very much for your prayer support! Can you believe how time has flown? My dad has only 3 radiation treatments left. Other than some discomfort, up until this week he hasn't really done too bad. The fatigue started in a couple of days ago and is hitting him hard each time now. But, as I said, only 3 more and he is done! because of how well he has done, they are scheduled to fly back home to Indiane March 7th. He has not [yet] accepted Christ as his personal Savior, but God continues to extend his life, so please continue praying for his salvation through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

blith · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 9:09 am

Good news! Can you tell us anything about how it has worked for him? Continued prayers as always!!

Raven · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 9:14 pm

Epilogue:

Once again we thank all of you and those countless others that we don't even know about for prayer support during these times Smile

My mom and dad went back home to Indiana a week ago last Tuesday. The only known effect of the radiation was skin irritation. Everyone, including the doctor's, have been amazed at his endurance. He did get more tired towards the end, but that was expected. The biggest problem that we had is that he just doesn't want to eat and nutrition is the biggest obstacle to healing from the effects of the radiation. Only time will tell as to the level of success of the radiation.

So, the physical healing appears to be taking its course. His spiritual healing is still in need of prayer as his heart was tender when he was laboring over the unknown but now that the doctors have told him how well he is, the urgency has left and Christ is still knocking at his heart but no one is answering Sad

. Please continue to pray for his acceptance of Christ as his Saviour so that one day he will join all true believers in that beautiful mansion that Jesus is preparing Smile

.

Raven · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 4:09 pm

My dad has been slowly declining since my last message. He has developed tremors, slowness of movement, and rigidity. Hmmm, I said. Sounds like Parkinson's. My sister back in Indiana went to the doctor with him today and it's confirmed. And, he's had it for probably about 19 years. He's being out on Sinimet (L-Dopa) and he's scheduled for an MRI to determine the extent. Please continue to pray for him and my mom. Thanks!

Nukeum66 · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 6:55 pm

From your first post that started this thread he has never been dropped from my prayer list. I'm sorry to hear he's not doing much better physically, but what about spiritually? I pray that he has come to know the Christ Jesus as his Lord and Savior. We'll continue to pray for him, your mother, and the rest of your family.

Raven · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 8:11 pm

Still wandering in the wilderness Crying or Very sad

AYK · Hangin' Around Joined: Apr 03, 2004 Posts: 32

Gaylen,
I'm no believer, but I really feel for your family and you. I hope everything will work out for the best for everyone.

Jochen -= AYK =-

neophite · Regular Joined: Sep 13, 2003 Posts: 56 Location: Virginia

My prayers are with you Gaylen..

"Where 2 or more are gathered in my name, there am I also"

HIS word will NOT return to HIM void!

I have been through colon cancer, it was only HIS intervention and blessings that brought me and my family through it in 1999! I am still here because of HIS love for each of us.

God shed his mercy and guidance on you and your loved one's during this very trying time and surround you with comfort in the knowledge that HIS will be done.

In HIS name,

Bob & Ruth Miedema

Raven · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:10 pm

Praise God!!!! This morning around 9:00 or 9:30, my Dad asked me how he could know that he would go to heaven when he dies. Through literal sobbing, I was allowed to lead him to Christ. He now has the Scriptural assurance of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord! 80.5 years old - A mansion is now being prepared for him. He probably will not live long, but that is in God's hands. He told me that he has given up. I am just glad that he "gave in" Wink

How can I say thanks to all the untold numbers who have diligently held him up in prayer before The Throne of Grace? With nothing more than words, but you have the assurance that your reward will be from Christ himself, and then you can lay them at the Feet of Christ.

Thank you and AMEN!

GeekyGuy · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 8:01 pm

Gaylen,

The love of family and friends is powerful medicine, and I hope you can sense the love being offered to you and your family from your friends around the world. I wish you all the best. And I am glad your father has come to know GOD.

Sincerely
David Rittenhouse
GeekyGuy

sharlein · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:48 pm

.....With the Grace of God, which surpasses all understanding..... Steve, Mary and Micki

Nukeum66 · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 10:47 pm

Praise God!!!

I'm very happy for him

neophite · Regular Joined: Sep 13, 2003 Posts: 56 Location: Virginia

Another GREAT answer to prayer - HIS will be done Smile

Bob and Ruth Miedema

AskAlice · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 4:44 am

The wishes for a swift recovery for your dad and strenght for family.

blith · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 2:22 pm

Praise the Lord!! Wonderful news!

Raven · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 5:30 am

I received a call at 4:44 this morning that my dad was coughing up blood. Amongst all the other things wrong (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Addison's) he also has pneumonia and a heart blockage and a very low platelet count. The low platelet count means his blood cannot clot and if he hemorrhages they probably won't be able to stop the bleeding. He has been refusing all tests, treatments, and is sleeping all the time. These are symptomatic of the end stages of dying. Only the Lord knows. I thank each and every one of you for your prayers and would ask that you continue to pray that if it be God's will, that he not suffer. Of course, a recovery is always in the miracle class too. Spiritually, as you know, he is ready (and probably willing) to die. This is a pain in one's heart that is indescribable unless/until you experience it. It hurts to your very fiber.

sharlein · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:04 am

Gaylen, I feel your pain. I lost my Dad at age 15. We thank the Lord for your Father's acceptance of Christ, Our Savior. As we pray daily, Thy Will Be Done, so be it. I have been reading Psalm 23 a lot lately, It does give me comfort in troubling times. God Bless You and Margie, and your extended families. Steve, Mary and Micki (Micki is living proof of what we are talking about - a miracle) May God grant You peace and understanding.

Raven · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 5:53 am

Please be praying for us. We are heading back to Indiana this morning as my dad seems to be failing fast. I don't want to take a chance on missing one last visit with him, even though he sleeps now about 99% of his days and they seem to find new things wrong every day. His body is swelling on one side, He's had a mild heart attack, he has a blood clot in his leg, he is refusing all tests and also refusing to eat. All signs of the last stages of death. God is still in control, of course. But, given his condition it is not likely that he will recover. Please pray for his peaceful entry into eternity with Christ and journey mercies as we make the trek back to Indiana.