To the Praying People

 First of all, I want to praise God and thank Him for providing so many faithful people to walk with me through this season. It has not been easy. A number of folks have provided meals or other gifts which have been so lovely, thoughtful and helpful. Many of you regularly ask how I am doing and willingly receive hopefully not too honest answers and turn that listening into prayers on my behalf. Thank you!!!

Here are updates and prayer requests related to my health:

HEAD: That I would have good perspective, wisdom about how/when to rest and how to care for patients and lead the practice, and for relief from stress and anxiety.

EYES: Praise God that after two eye procedures in March, I can see well again. Pray that I would read and look upon what is pleasing to God.

HEART and LUNGS: Please pray for protection against the effects of Kadcylla (which I call Godzilla), an antibody-drug complex I am getting every 3 weeks. Please pray for a heart to receive what God has for me and for love for others.

GUT and LIVER: It is not as severe as I suffered from Nov-Feb, but I still have many days where everything runs through. This raises a question like this morning's: is this enough to stay home from work or will my system settle? I may not be taking enough imodium but am leary of it. Meanwhile, over the past month I have developed liver enzyme elevation. Kadcylla has liver toxicity. This can be severe but so far is not. Please pray for Dr. Wolff's wisdom as to whether the dose needs to be decreased. I still have 10 more rounds to go (through Feb of next year!)

MUSCULOSKELETAL: about 6 weeks ago, I developed knee swelling for unclear reasons, finally got in to see ortho last Thursday and finally had added evaluation for a 2 year--old hip injury. I am starting PT, was able to get in- praise God! The hip x-ray did show " a lesion", however, and the medical cancer word was raised which was a really big downer and also very worrisome. I haven't been able to schedule the MRI until June 29th after church. ***Would you please pray for peace, for healing, and that this is NOT cancer? 

Prayer requests related to the practice:

We are working on a key new hire. Please pray for wisdom and that the person would be a great fit.  

Please also pray for us to be able to hire an additional part-time physician. 

Please pray for us to honor God in the face of all of the headwinds coming our way.

Please pray for healthcare workers and scientists everywhere as we deal with the changes of the new administration.

Please pray for expanded availability of the COVID vaccines this fall (I don't want to see patients from behind a mask all year!).

Spiritually, I am grateful that the LORD is our friend and able to hear our cries for mercy, our questions, our fears and our hopes. Before the first cancer 19 years ago and before this one, I had the deep sense that my life is not my own. Of course, the LORD can do with my life as He pleases. I struggled with submission to medical advice back in 2023 when I had the first biopsy related to this cancer. Now, I feel that God and good counsel have transformed me into one who is more willing to do as the experts say. I feel this is a lesson in following God, the expert of my soul, in being willing to do what He says. "Do this, and things will go better," seems to be the message.