Much Loved

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;
as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13: 34

This was another one of those weeks that had the potential to push us to that scary precipice.  Lots of tough stuff came down the line, seeking to undermine our joy, our hope...our stability.  Usually when the burdens start piling up I start to flounder.  Thankfully that didn't happen this time.  God has given us the grace to weather the current storms and we remain calm.  It feels good to let our burdens rest in His capable hands.

Marc and I have always treasured our relationships.  We feel so abundantly blessed by the friends and family that God has put strategically in our lives.  They are our earthly treasures. We marvel at how we have been encircled by the most kind and encouraging individuals.  I was reminded over and over again this week of how faithful our family and friends have been in supporting us in this trial.  I truly don't know how we could have survived the last year if God hadn't been so generous in blessing us with relationships.  We are in awe constantly at the love extended to us. 

As I mentioned, this week was a challenge.  Marc had treatment on Friday.  Chemo is never easy on the body  and hardest on the emotions.  I admire my husband's courage to sit in that chair and volunteer for the horrible side effects.  On top of it all, he was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) in his lung.  This is a somewhat serious complication of his cancer.  On top of everything else he must now be on blood thinner for the foreseeable future.  While frustrating and concerning, we are excited that the pain that led to the diagnosis wasn't the result of the cancer spreading.  An embolism with an obvious and effective treatment seems so much simpler than his cancer progressing. 

The highlight of our week was sharing this experience with Marc's sister, Jenni.  Her family was kind enough to let her come up and help us out last minute.  It was a great encouragement to both of us -- a blessing and a reminder that we have an extraordinary support system.  It was also humbling to hear her perspective on our life.  Her fresh eyes reminded us of how amazing our  team really is -- nurses, doctors, teachers, friends, and family.  All amazing.  Her observations and perspective were so helpful this weekend.  She gave us new insights and appreciation for those that serve us so faithfully. 

So as we start this new week, we will be looking for more of God's goodness.  He has been incredibly faithful to us and we continue to be overwhelmed by His work in our lives.  We continue to rely on His promises.  He is worthy of our trust.

To those of you that continue to love us and pray for us.  Thank you.  Thank you for loving us as the Father has loved you....

One handsome dude in a blue hospital gown!

Amy...

Our most favorite, french-fry sharing nurse!

(She is AMAZING and has one contagious laugh :)

Enjoying the sunshine and a stroll. 

Thanks for the motivation, Jen! 

Smiles to end a very special weekend!

Many thanks to Jen for having the desire and making the effort to be here,

to Steve for taking over the kids while she was gone,

to Meg, Michael, and David, for being cool with Mom's last minute plans;

and most of all to Chris who was gracious enough to let his mom

come up on his birthday weekend! 

Thank you!

With love and gratitude.....

Promise of Spring

To Everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven....

Ecclesiastes 3:1

I have been encouraged in the last week or so that spring is on its way.  The sun is showing its face around Oregon again!  Its appearances are brief, but much anticipated and enjoyed.  New life is poking up all around -- everything is waking up.  I have drawn a lot of encouragement from spring's arrival this year.  Winter has seemed long and tedious to me (not unlike our season of life); however, the anticipation of warmer weather and the new life it brings give me something to which I can look forward...it makes me smile.   There are still rainy, mucky days ahead to be sure.  They have their purpose, but nothing beats those first sun filled days of the season!  In the same way, I have been seeing glimpses of hope in our personal lives.  While Marc's battle rages on, we are encouraged that perhaps this winter-time of our souls is not permanent.  He continues to improve -- the fluid in his abdomen has not returned, he has not suffered headaches from his treatment, and he is eating normal meals again.  He is still very fatigued, but that seems minor compared the other side effects and complications that have disappeared.  We are grateful for answered prayers....God is good!

I thought you might enjoy some glimpses of spring from around the Griffith home.  It's been a busy week!  Joy and humor still resonate in our walls.  Life is good!

Excited about Easter!

Looking all dressed up....and clean!

My humble garden starts.

I would love to say this is spring cleaning....

More like fun with Daddy's shaving cream!

Marc and the kids enjoying a dry day and lunch outside

The much anticipated 10th birthday!

This was the birthday of a thousand airsoft pellets
(more like 30,000!) 

Thanks everybody!

Ooooooh the suspense!

One of my favorite games...

I may be confiscating this for my own use :)

Birthday cake courtesy of little sis, Julia.

She did a great job!

Enjoying new sketching supplies and lessons from uncle.

A long family tradition lives on!

The first of many masterpieces!

Have a great week everyone!

With love and gratitude....

CT Scan Results

Thank you all for your prayers regarding today's results.  Here is the summary and ways that we can keep praying.   God is still working and we have much to give thanks for today. 

• The tumor has not progressed since his last CT scan.
• The tumor has also not shrunk; his disease is "stable" at this point.
• The ascites he has experienced may not be related completely to the cancer.  It may be a side effect of the chemotherapy.  If the fluid accumulation occurs again (on schedule) after his next treatment we can be more confident that the ascites is a result of the chemo and not active cancer.
• The tumor had grown slightly after his first treatment, is stable and not growing after two.  The hope is that now it will decrease.  This is our prayer.
• Marc will have two more treatments of Taxol.  In six weeks he will have another scan to see if the tumor is shrinking.
• He has another paracentesis scheduled for next Tuesday to alleviate the fluid that is expected to develop in his abdomen as a result of the chemo.

While we were hoping for signs that the tumor was in definite decline, we are at peace with today's results.  It appears that this treatment is having some effect on the tumor and we are thankful for that!  We continue to pray for Marc's complete healing.   Thank you to all that have joined us in that prayer!  We look forward to sharing a miracle.

If you haven't checked out the last blog post, please do. We want to recognize and honor those that sacrificed their weekend for us.   We want everyone to know how much we appreciate all of you that helped us out with our property.  We will be forever touched by the love you all showed us!

With love and gratitude.....

God at Work

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

Ephesians 3: 14-21

A couple of weeks ago I took a walk around our property to survey what projects needed to be done.  Spring break was a week away and I wanted to get some things done while the kids were home to help.  As I walked our property line I became disheartened.  Brush and tree debris from the last two winters was piled knee high.  Marc had pruned some of the trees over the summer, but had run out of steam before they could all be cleaned up.  Our barn was a mess, as it usually is at the end of winter.  A million other projects piled up in my head mentally.  I was overwhelmed.  It would take our whole family an entire summer to clean up the mess.  How had we lost control in so little time?  Like the stubborn gal I am,  I took a deep breath, gritted my teeth, and surrendered every minute of our spare time to the heap of work surrounding me.  We would just have to muddle through it.

As the next couple of days wore on I had time to think.  I came to the conclusion that just maybe we needed help.  I sent an email to some of our friends -- the folks that have mentioned that if we "ever need anything, please ask."  Again, being stubborn (and...uh...prideful), it was an excruciating task to send out that email.  Within an hour several friends had responded.  I was relieved.  Marc still wasn't sure. 

As the week wore on The Work Party (as it has come to be known) took on a life of its own.  By the time all was said and done we had over 50 people show up, two tractors, countless chainsaws and trimmers, rakes, and wheelbarrows.  Guys from church even showed up from the parking lot crew to direct the 33 cars and park them so they wouldn't bother our neighbors!  Wild.  Everyone worked incredibly hard with amazing hearts.  There were lots of laughs, lots of hugs, and new friends made.   My folks and my brothers provided an amazing lunch.  We didn't quite finish the 76 doughnuts, the 200 pieces of chicken, gallons of salad, and hundreds of cookies.  Nobody went hungry!

I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone that showed up and made the day possible.  I have had time to think over this whole uncomfortable experience.  Why is it so hard to accept help?  I remember when Marc was first diagnosed.  I prayed not just for Marc, but I prayed that God would simply help us.  I didn't know how we were going to manage all of this.  In those first few weeks folks brought meals, sent notes, and helped with our kids.  Yesterday 50 friends, family, and complete strangers, showed up to help us with what amounted to about 150 man hours or more on our property.  I remembered my prayer.  God...help us.  So, as each person has pitched in, we have seen God at work.  I know we can't see God face to face, but He is very much here.  He answers prayers.  His body is amazing.  He shows up on the front step with a casserole.  He volunteers to watch the kids so I can go with Marc to his appointments.  He offers words of encouragement.  He sends an army to help with yardwork and repairs.  He is here and at work.  He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask.  I've seen it. 

So...Here are pictures of answered prayers.  If you haven't seen Christ at work before, look carefully.  He is in every picture.  Enjoy.

When God is at work....He can use....

Little Workers

And little brothers.

Big Workers

With Big Chainsaws!

He uses pyromaniacs (Hi Dad!)

He uses friends.....

that bless us with their smiles!

He uses sweet young ladies....

And entertaining old ladies, too

(Sorry, Kris....the kids insisted!)

He takes large tractors....

And wee little tractors!

 

He can take an enormous mess...

that is too big for one person....

and with the help of those that love us...

can move mountains!

He can take a new friend...

with an old friend...

 And bless us abundantly!

 

He then blesses us with food,

and fellowship...

                                                                    and a time of rest.

When God is at work, He can bring any obstacle

right down to size!

Thank you all for blessing us "exceedingly abundantly!"

With love and gratitude.....

I digress

I consider myself to be a pretty courageous eater.  I will try anything once.  I'm not picky when it comes to food.  However, I discovered this evening that even I have my limits.

Julia and I decided that we would cook a nice meal together....things we like.  The boys are at my folks for a sleepover and  Marc is still off his chow (paracentesis benefits didn't last...more on that later).  We decided to make a mint cucumber salad, some whole grain bread, and some cod fillets.  Nothing exciting, but we had fun making it and were starving by the time it was finished.

We sat down and I went to cut into my fillet when I noticed something not-so-fishy.  What at first looked like a blood vessel ended up being a worm.  Gross.  Upon further investigation I found another.  I was done.  I couldn't go on.   My typical attitude would not be so dramatic, but something told me not to eat any of it.  So, I heated up some leftovers and abandoned our cute little dinner.  I'm glad I did.  After writing the seafood company an ironic comment or two, I researched our little guests.  Come to find out that they are a health hazard cooked and uncooked.  Who knew.

So the Griffith adventures continue on a daily basis.  It's never dull around here.  I often wish it weren't so exciting.

I digress.  Meanwhile back at the ranch....

Thanks for continuing to pray for Marc.  As I mentioned earlier, Marc is back to feeling cruddy.  The benefits of his paracentesis lasted less than 24 hours.   The fluid came back with a vengeance.  They prescribed a diuretic in an attempt to get rid of the excess fluid, but it doesn't appear to be working.  He will have another paracentesis tomorrow if he doesn't improve.  There are risks to doing this procedure too frequently.  We aren't sure what our options are after this.  I imagine we will have to wait until next week to find out. 

With love and gratitude...

Jelly Belly!

Marc's paracentisis was a success this morning.  My husband, The Jelly Belly, happily gave away 3 liters of fluid from his abdomen!  He said the relief was immediate.  They weren't able to get it all, though.  His intestines were so happy to return to their normal position that they obstructed the needle, preventing them from getting to the rest of the fluid.  That's okay, though.  He feels much better and looks much better.  3 liters!  Wow.

Thanks for praying.  We will be getting the CT scan next Monday.  Results will still be on Wednesday.  Hopefully between the CT results and what the lab finds out about his belly goo from today, we'll know exactly what is happening.  We are still holding out for that miracle...

With love and gratitude....

Some Answers

Marc was able to see the nurse practitioner this morning.  She ordered an ultrasound for Marc and determined that he does, indeed, have fluid on his abdomen.  What has caused the fluid buildup we do not know.  Tomorrow he will head back to the hospital to have a paracentisis.  Essentially they will be draining the excess fluid that has accumulated in his abdomen.  We are hoping this will provide some pain relief and give his organs some room.  Right now he is not able to eat normal meals because his digestive system is so crowded by fluid and tumor.

We are glad that we finally have some answers to what is causing this horrible abdominal bloating he has experienced.  We are hoping the procedure will give him some immediate relief.  He is pretty miserable right now.

The paracentesis will likely be an out-patient procedure.  We'll let you all know how it goes tomorrow! 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
With love and gratitude...