December 5, 2011

The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever. Psalm 121:5-8

December 6, 2011

Cindy recieved favorable news after her latest chemo treatment.
We will continue with this particular treatment for the next few months.
Her last treatment was on November 23rd.
She has experienced manageable side effects and will have her next treatment on the 14th of December.
We enjoyed a full house for Thanksgiving and had a great time of praise and fellowship.
Please pray for Cindy's continued progress and manageable side effects of treatment.

November 14, 2011

Cindy has had some side effects from her latest round of chemo.
Overall she is handling this treatment well.
We spent the last four days in Banff, Canada and enjoyed some of the most beautiful country in the world.
We should have some indications within the next few weeks as to this treatments effectiveness.

Pray for Cindy's continued progress as we prepare for the holidays.

For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
Psalm 33:4,5

November 1, 2011

Cindy completed her current chemo therapy last Monday.
She underwent a PET scan which revealed that the current treatments were not reaching thier intended effectiveness.
The doctor has determined a new therapy which she will begin this week. It contains a series of three agents which are intended to impact the disease adversely.
Please pray for Cindy and our family as we continue to trust in our Lord for strength and provision.

Psalm 97:11-12
Light shines on the godly,
and joy on those whose hearts are right.
May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord
and praise his Holy name!

October 17, 2011

Cindy completed her third treatment last week.
We spent a few days in NYC and the weekend with our girls in Wintergreen, Va. Fellowship was great and weather was perfect at what most be close to the peak of Fall for this mountainous area of Virginia.
Cindy has no treatments this week and enjoying her break.

Teach me your ways, O Lord,
that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me a pure heart,
so that I may honor you.
Psalm 86:11

October 4, 2011

Cindy completed her second chemo treatment.
Praise the Lord that the side effects have been minimal thus far.
It will still be a few weeks before we can test for measureable positive results.
We are going to NYC next week for some shows and shopping.
Thanks for everybody's continued concern for the family.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
But God remains the stregth of my heart;
he is mine forever.
Psalm 73:25,26

September 16, 2011

Cindy's most recent PET scan revealed a new occurrence in her liver.
Her treatment options now require her to start a new chemo drug next week.
This drug will be given once a week for the next month or so.
If her side effects are manageable and the drug is effective in nuetralizing the disease then she can continue this course of treatment for the foreseeable future.

But each day the Lord pours his unfailling love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life. Psalm 42:8

August 29, 2011

Cindy completed her radiation treatments on Thursday.
She will get a new PET scan this week to access if there is any further treatments needed.
Please join us in prayer for favorable results.

Psalm 40:2,3
He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walk along.
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what He has done and be amazed.
They will put their faith in the Lord.

Thanksgiving for all those who have been so supportive!
It makes all the difference.....

August 8, 2011

Cindy has been enjoying a few months without chemo treatments since the first week in June. She has been feeling very good and gaining strength and energy.
She has been following a strict diet and taking Vitamin C infusions to boost her immune system recovery.
She will start Cranial radiation treatments this week.
They will last for about 14 days.
Please pray for her ability to successfully tolerate these treatments and their effectiveness.
Colleen leaves for Longwood University on the 18th.

Praise the Lord!
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of Thanksgiving.
The Lord gives his people strength.
Lead them like a sheperd,
and carry them in your arms forever.
Psalm 28:6-9

June 21, 2011

Cindy had a ct scan last week which revealed no changes from her previous scan. The doctor wants to let her recover from chemotherapy for a spell.
She is going to have a bone scan this week to confirm no new activity there as well.
The doctor would like for her to visit a neuro-ocologist next week to schedule some radiation treatment. This would address any disease which might effect the central nervous system. Chemo therapy does not effect the central nervous system so this is a precaution to protect her further.
Colleen graduated on June 16th and Cindy celebrated her birthday on the 18th.
Please join us in prayer and worship for the Lord's provision.


Psalm 97
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.

June 7, 2011

Cindy completed her 6th Treatment last Friday.
She was amazing as usual and is recovering well this week.
We will have new ct scans in two weeks to see what progress has been achieved.
We hosted a wedding for Erica's best friend over Memorial Day Weekend.
That was really a labor fo Love and turned out beautifully.
Colleen had her last Choir performance on Thursday and Friday of last week.
We attended Colleen's College (Longwood University) orientation yesterday.
Morgan started her new job in richmond yesterday as well.
Things are busy.
Thanks to everybody for their continued prayers and support.

Psalm 86:10-12

For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.
Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.

May 23, 2011

Cindy completed her 5th treatment last week.
The doctor did change her chemo drug in order to not stress her tolerance anymore that we needed for effective results.
This produced shorter treatment times and milder side effects.
She will complete her 6th treatment in the last week of May.
We anticipate another ct scan to show continued improvement.
On a praise note, Morgan earned her college degree in photography from VCU on Friday of last week.

Please continue to pray for Cindy's healing and God's presence.

May 6,2011

Cindy took new scans this week which reveiled an improvement in the reduction of disease.
The doctor commented on her remarkable handling of this type of chemo treatment.
He confirmed that since she is taking the treatements with a high tolerance level and we are seeing reduction that we should continue her treatments as originally planned (She has completed 4 of the 6).
That said she will take the two remaining treatments and then get a pet scan for a better look at an growth that may still exist.
All Good News and Answered Pray!
Please join us in complete worship and thanksgiving to Christ alone....

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than man. Hebrews 1:25

For no foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Hebrews 3:11

April 25, 2011

Cindy completed her 4rth treatment last Wednesday.
She was fatigued but in good spirits and minor other side effects.
Praise the Lord for another successful week.
She will have new scans next week for review before her next treatment.
Please join us in praise and thanksgiving as we seek His hand in the healing and effective treatment leading up to these new scans.
He is risen indeed!

April 15, 2011

Cindy had another pleasant week of recovery.
She begins her fourth treatment on Monday.
Please prayer for her physical, mental and spiritual wellspring as we daily abide in Christ and drink in his grace and mercy with thanksgiving.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25

April 8, 2011

Cindy had a peaceful week with plenty of rest.
Lots of Thankfulness this week.

1 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?[c]

5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e]
and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their[g] feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8

April 1,2011

Cindy completed her third treatment this week. She had minor side effects except fatigue.
Another week worthy of Praise!
Thanks for everyone's prayer coverage....

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22,23,25

March 25, 2011

Cindy's scan from Wednesday showed no evidence of new growth and reduced sizing of previous disease. Very favorable results and evidence that treatments are effectively attacking cells.
Huge Praise Today!
This is really the first Good News we have had since the discovery was made.
Please pray for Cindy's continued progress as she will start her third treatment on Monday.
Please join us in Worship throughout the Weekend for God's provision.

March 22, 2011

Cindy has continued to do well after her second treatment. She did develop an infection in her medi-port but anti-biotics worked effectively over a short period of time to resolve this issue. We have had a wealth of family and friends over the past week and appreciate their company and support.
Cindy will have a series of scans on Wednesday.
On Friday, we will meet with the ocologist to review the results and prepare for the next treatment on Monday.
Please join us in continued worship of God's provision and guidance.
We would also welcome your prayers for effective healing results and Cindy's extended ability to weather therapy smoothly.


Your arm is endowed with power;
your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, LORD.
Pslam 89:13-15

March 11, 2011

Cindy completed her 2nd chemo treatment this week.
She responded well to the regimen with only minimium fatigue.
Praise The Lord for his provision over her throughout the week!

Please continue to pray for the effectiveness of her therapy and isolation from illness and other complications.

Special Thanks to Carol for her presence throughout the week and those who continue to sends cards, letters, emails, flowers, meals and desserts.
We appreciate your thoughtfulness and prayers.

• Psalm 37:4-6
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

March 4, 2011

Cindy has had peaceful recovery week in preperation for the start of her 2nd treatment on Monday.
Please join us in prayer this week that she continues to have minor side effects and the medication achieves its desired effect.

Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him. Psalm 4:2

Thursday February 24,2011

Cindy is continuing to do well with few side effects of the first chemo treatment.
She had an MRI on her hip on Monday. It revealed not evidence of disease in the bone structure but did show some activity in the tissues surrounding the same. This is consistent with the PET Scan preformed a few weeks ago but clarifies that her bones are not effected. (Treatment routine will remain unchanged).

Thanks for everybody who have been such encouragement.

Our prayer is that God's Word will surround you at all times.
 ¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created. James 1:16-18

February 15, 2011

Cindy had her first chemotherapy over the weekend. We admitted her to the hospital on Friday morning.
She had very mild reactions to the treatment which was answered prayer.
Her blood counts were low enough to get two units of blood on Sunday.
We checked out Monday morning.
She is home and doing really well with a follow up visit scheduled for Friday.

Please prayer for these chemicals to destroy all signs of disease.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Feb. 11,2011

Cindy had a medi-port placed under her front shoulder on Tuesday.
She had a PET scan on Wednesday.
We meet with oncology in Reston yesterday.
Dr. Felice said that there were signs of activity in the abdomen.
He reaffirmed that this didn't change his prescribed chemotherapy procedures.
We are going to go to the hospital this morning to start her first treatment.
In the hospital they will be able to monitor her 24/7 for all three days and seemed to be the most cautious approach.
Our future treatments will be daily appointments the oncologists infusion office.
Please pray for these drugs to have the desired effect and that Cindy's reactions to same be minimum.
Thanks again to everybody for your prayers and support.

Feb. 4, 2011

Cindy continues to improve and successfully recover from her surgeries.
We have visited with two ocologist this week, Dr. Ralph V. Boccia (Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders in Bethesda MD) & Anthony Felice MD (Reston Ocology). They both were in agreement on not only the diagnosis of the type of cancer but also the treatment routine. Praise the Lord for that confirmation and continuity.
Cindy's microscopic diagnosis showed a High Grade Neuroendocrine carcinoma which both doctors characterized as small cell lung cancer even though she has no evident of any disease in her lungs.
The treatment is a chemotherapy routine involving 4-5 cycles of 21 days. This teatment will involve two chemicals administered over the first three days of each cycle. Day One will be both drugs (Cisplatin & Etoposide) and Etoposide alone on days Two and Three.
We have to get a PET scan prior to treatment to conform that she is clinically cancer free post surgery.
She will also get a medical port in her sholder for easier administration of the treatment and attend a chemotherapy education class before we establish a schedule for treatment.
We have been really lifted by everybody's prayer support and I am certain that our Lord has been gently showering us with His favor as we walk.
Although God's purposes and plans are never fully understood, I have increasingly been assured that My God never averts His gaze from anything in His creation. I am assured that He will actively mold and shape our direction as we seek His guideance.
 Our prayer for you is that as you seek Him you will be filled with the knowledge of His soveriegnty in all things great or small. God Bless!

 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,  in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14

Friday Jan. 28, 2011

Cindy visited her surgeon on Wednesday of this week as a follow-up to her surgery.
He confirmed how well she was recovering and released her from his care.
We have our first real meeting with oncology next Thursday to discuss our treatment options going forward.
Please pray for a clear diagnosis and direction as we move forward.
Support from Family and Friends has been a great blessing to our entire family.

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
   He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
Isaiah 40:11

Monday Jan. 24, 2011

Cindy had a good weekend of fellowship with friends and family at the house. She is eating regular food and walking the malls for exercise. She rarely takes pain meds and improves daily.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² 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.
³ For I am the LORD your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
Isaiah 43:1-3

Tuesday Jan. 18, 2011

Cindy is regaining her appetite and took little if any pain medication throughout the day.
Another Day worthy of Praise!

Home At Last!

Cindy got to come home yesterday. She got home around 2:30 and she is resting. It is great to have her home and she is looking great!

The Lord's Good Work Continues

The Lord has a beautiful plan and He keeps proving faithful in this trial He has allowed in our lives to draw us to Him.  He had continued pouring out blessings in Cindy's recovery!  She can now eat solid foods and is probably headed home today! She is thrilled to get out of the hospital and we all cannot wait to have her back in the house.

Lamentations 3:22-24
"²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for His compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
   great is Your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
   therefore I will wait for Him.” "

Praise the Lord!

Big Day! Cindy got her stomach tube removed on Friday. She drank clear liquids for the rest of the day and walked four or five times during the day around the hospital floor. Saturday she is cleared for soup and broth to start her digestive tract into motion.

Recovery in the Hospital

Cindy is feeling much better and working on getting her stomach tube removed. This is the next step in getting her home to recover from surgery.
Once tube is removed she will be put on a liquid diet and then should be ready for release from the hospital within a few days.
She put in a lot of walking today which will really help her recovery.

Her pathology was completed but diagnosis is still a little vague due to how rare her cancer cell is. It is definitely a Neuroendocrine Small cell tumor.
Her brain CT, Chest CT and Bone scan were all negative.

Recap

On Saturday January 1st, Cindy went to the hospital and had surgery to remove her appendix. While operating the doctor notice inflammation around the appendix and removed some of her bowel. After running a few tests, it was determined that she had a rare tumor in her appendix that had started moving outward into her colon. Our family was then informed that more surgery was needed to remove the rest of her tumor.

On Friday January 7th, Cindy went into surgery again and the doctor were able to successful remove the rest of the tumor by removing some of her colon and bowel. Cindy now in recovery and is doing well. Her blood work is improving and she is walking the halls with more ease everyday. We are now waiting for test results that specify what type of tumor she had to determined her treatment. She will most likely have to undergo chemo after she has recovered completely.

Thank you to everyone who has brought food to us and thank you for your support. We appreciate the help and please continue to keep Cindy and our family in your prays. 

Photo Montage by Morgan