Faith..

..will see me through. Received good news yesterday evening. The tumors in my abdomen are still shrinking and no new tumors anywhere. My prayers for healing are being answered...I KNOW this. Of course I want it to happen overnight, but I realize "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." It will happen in God's time, not mine. As I figured, my doctor believes the increased pain and problems are due to the treatment not the cancer itself, most likely it is a combination of aggressive chemotherapies over a long period of time which is weaking my body's tolerance. I thank you all for every prayer you've sent up...whether it was every day for a year now, this past Sunday, or today. Thank you. All day Sunday, esp. during the hour of prayer, the sweetest peace and serenity came to me. I could feel God's presence all through the night and woke with the most energy I've had in months. For the first time, I didn't dread going to the hospital for more tests and it was a much more pleasant experience. What a blessing in itself. A friend said recently, "these days it is always crowded at the cancer center. It seems that cancer affects the lives of nearly everyone in one way or another. However, it is not bigger than God. God can and does beat cancer. More importantly, He uses something as ugly and awful as cancer to accomplish His will in the lives of people everywhere. He is in charge. He has a plan. I am good with that." I'm good with that too.
With love and appreciation,
Courtney

Hour of Prayer...

I am asking everyone I know to participate in an Hour of Prayer for me. Over a year of intense chemotherapy and radiation and surgeries is clearly taking it's toll on my human body as expected. I have been having a hard time lately and my health seems to be getting worse, and I honestly need your thoughts and prayers. I believe so strongly in the power of prayer and I want to be healed. I know miracles occur, and not solely in the past. They happen a lot of the time...we just don't consider them as miracles and appreciate them for what they truely are. A miracle is my hope. Healing is what I have depended on from day one and I believe it will happen still. Answered prayers are what has gotten me through thus far. They can continue. If you don't pray, then send positive thoughts and energy into the universe for me and send this prayer request to those you know who will pray. I send this email with tears and sincerity. Pray for healing. I go for another scan on the following Monday morning. I have gone for these scans every two months for the past 15 months now and everytime they come back with different results...I want these results to be very different. Please remember at 7:00 on Sunday evening, if you're in your car just pull over or at church sitting silently...please pray with faith that it will happen. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Courtney


"And all things, whatsoever ya shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
-St. Matthew 21:22

Home sweet home...

...at least for a little while. As many of you know I have been quite the little world traveler these past couple months or so. I have decided (at least for now) to cancel some upcoming trips and stay put for a while and rest, but my travels have been full of many amazing experiences! I look forward to settling back in, and getting together with much missed friends and family. My lost blog mentioned Tampa- Mom and I went and had a very good appointment/visit with my Dr. there. He was pleased with my healthy glow and smiling face, and I was thrilled to see all my old friends at Moffitt. There has always been a strong presence there and the people...truly awesome. We basically reviewed my latest scans and reports and discussed the future as much as possible. There won't be surgery in the future regarding the tumors in my abdomen b/c there is too much tissue, organs, etc.-it'd be virtually impossible. However, there are 3 more chemotherapies that Dr. Kohls feels will work if we have to try when my current chemos top out. I am trusting there won't be a need for any of that. I am feeling good these past couple weeks for the most part, and I am now on a 4 week regiment since my counts were always too low at 3 weeks. I go today at 9:15 for my next round (steroids explain why I'm typing at 5:45 am). I hope everyone is doing well. Please continue to pray for strength and endurance, healing and faith for me and my family.
With love. cc