Prayer for Cancer Fighters

Claudia Wertin

We remember today all those who are fighting cancer, for those who have won this battle and for those who have gone home. Healing God, infinite and wise, compassionate and loving, heal those afflicted with cancer and bring comfort /strength to family and friends that support them.

Here's Emmie and Addie...or is it Addie and Emmie ;-)

April 15 will forever have a different meaning for James and Sarah, as opposed to the rest of us.   (and defintely a day to remember) Adalaide Sienna was born by c-section at 9:14 a.m. and weighed in at 6 lbs.10 oz. and was 19 plus inches long.   Emelia Therese was born by c-section at 9:13 a.m.  and weighed in at 5 lbs 11 oz. and was  18 plus inches long. PS Ginny and I just got a DOUBLE DIVIDEND on one of our original investments.   The happy Grandpappy...George.

Sylvia's Requests...

Syl,

This is a prayer request for a friend of mine who lives in Massachusetts, near Boston.  Her name is Bobbie Cruse.  Bobbie's note to me:

The  Breast Surgeon said she was pretty sure she could take me next week.  I got a call from her secretary yesterday and got my date.  They will do the surgery next Thursday the 21st, Holy Thursday.  You have no idea how very relieved we are that she got me in so soon.  It will be day surgery so I will be back home later that day.  They also agreed with the first surgeon that I will need to have 4 to 6 weeks of radiation.  How fortunate I am and blessed with so many wonderful people praying for me.

Thank you and lots of love,

Bobbie

Thank you and to all the Prayer Warriors for the prayers for Bobbie.

Love,

Marian

 ********************************************************************************************************************************

Good afternoon all,

     Please remember in your prayers John B.  He needs strength and guidance and peace since the passing of his wife.  He is also suffering from heart problems.

     And PLEASE  STORM HEAVEN  for my sister in law Joanne.  You have been hearing from me about the terrible problems she has endured since a surgery she had nine months ago.  She recently got a second opinion and was told the olny solution is to have the surgery done over again,  by the same Dr. that did it the first time?  So she had her records sent to a Doctor in Princeton who does the same type of surgery  and he said her only recovery from this will mean another surgery that is very dangerous for someone in her condition and not just to correct the surgery but possible completely redoing everything.  She is bombed out by thinking of going through all of this again.  She knows so many have been praying for her and she has spent so much time in prayer she was hoping to hear better news.   I reminded her that all good things come in GOD's time,  not our time, so to please just trust in him.  We all need your prayers to give all of us strength and faith that maybe this time it will all work out. Please help her to be strong enough to face all of this and to guide the Doctors' hands.  I will let you know when the surgery is scheduled.  

 Also prayers for Jim R. from Reading who lost his wife last week.  He is my cousin .  He is not handling this very well.  It is so difficult to lose a partner of many years, But God' knows best.   Thank you all   I send love and prayers for all your intentions.  Carole Y

THE FOLLOWING THREE PRAYER REQUESTS ARE FROM OUR FELLOW PRAYER WARRIOR BOCK:

WELCOME TO THE WORLD ADALAIDE AND EMELIA!!!  THESE ARE THE TWINS WE WERE PRAYING FOR….THEY STAYED PUT LONGER THAN THEY EXPECTED! THANK YOU GOD!!!   NICE WEIGHTS TOO!

April 15 will forever have a different meaning for James and Sarah, as opposed to the rest of us.

  (and defintely a day to remember)

Adalaide Sienna was born by c-section at 9:14 a.m. and weighed in at 6 lbs.10 oz. and was 19 plus inches long. 

Emelia Therese was born by c-section at 9:13 a.m.  and weighed in at 5 lbs 11 oz. and was  18 plus inches long.

Rick,

Paul Bowden is our deputy sheriff here in the town where we live in Washington, and also a good friend.  Paul had a liver biopsy on Thursday and will get results back on Tuesday.  Two spots have been found on nis liver and the Oncologists suspects it to be cancerous.

Paul has a 15, 10 and 5 year old daughter at home, he is very active in Church and a credit to our community.

Please pass on this request to the prayerchain for me that God our Father will give Paul and his family a favorable finding on Tuesday and, as Paul say's "It is what it is".... so if it IS... Let us pray that the Father will have mercy on Pauls family and find it in HIS will to cure him outright!

Thanks Bock!

James

Rick,

I don’t know if you where in the email loop.  Cindy is OK, but involved in a car accident (not her fault) and probably totaled her car.  Spent about two days in the hospital.  Nothing broken.  Now at home, with meds, recouping.  You can put her on the prayer list for a while.

Hope all is well,

Bob Sig

******************************************************************************

HERE IS THE LATEST UPDATE FROM NICK FRANCA’S MOM……..NICK AND HIS DAD JIM FLY TO FLORIDA TOMORROW FOR THIS TREATMENT – PLEASE, PLEASE PRAY FOR NICK’S MIRACLE.   I WAS COMFORTED WHEN I READ THE LAST UPDATE THAT THE YOUTH MINISTER FROM THEIR CHUCH HAS MADE A CONNECTION WITH NICK – THIS IS AN ANSWER TO PRAYER.   THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PRAYING FOR HIM. 

Nick and Jim leave on Jet Blue Monday morning at 8:20.... They will get back next Friday night at 10:30... hopefully with the full dose of his first treatment in him.... I am a little nervous to go a week without treatment....

Today Nick's LDH had dropped 300 points (although still wayyyy high)  and his liver enzymes were low enough that we could have qualified for the millenium trial!!!  But now we are down a different path for a while and that is just the way it is... You have to be 21 days without treatment to start that trial.... so we will put it on the back burner...

Nick stopped the etoposide yesterday so he will be 7 days out from it... the requirment to enter the trial in Florida.  Our biggest issue about Florida at this point is this....

Each week he has to be there for the one hour infusion, so we are looking at having to fly once a week for one night.... which from what I am checking online looks to be pretty darn expensive.  I am checking corporate angels, but not likely.... We are blessed that we are older and have reserves we can use...for young couples this is just a nightmare and not even an option...

We are going to try to carry on as normal... praying for a hault to the march that had tried to take over Nick's beautiful body.... Alll prayers and miracles welcome.....

Saturday, April 16th, 2011 10:20 PM

Such a beautiful outpouring of love

I want to thank everyone who has emailed me this week about flights, places to stay, meals...... the human spirit is alive and well... thank you all for the amazing guestbook messages, emails and just for loving us like you do... it helps. 

Seth Hurlbert.... don't have your email, but YES please put me in touch with the corporate angel pilot in Leesburg.  I am checking on all angles for week two.... week one is in place.

We have flights, a car rented and 4 nights in the Days Inn 3 miles from the hospital with a full kitchen so they can have a fridge etc.... 

I am so emotionally tired as is Jim.... but we somehow have gotten through one of the most horrific weeks of our lives and I actually walked 18 holes of golf yesterday morning with the girls and then rode 18 holes in the afternoon with Jim and crew .  It was liberating to just pound the ball for 8 hours...... a good release. 

So we have a path.  Nick is feeling pretty good.  Compared to the beginning of the week he looks so much stronger.  He and Kelly actually went out to the movies last night and out to dinner tonight...... 

Today I took him to Georgetown for platelets to get him topped off for the flight Monday.  Had some blood pressure issues which doesn't surprise me with as high as his vma is, but we were home in 5 hours which is a record.  He is still dealing with the pain in his left elbow..... that is such a new issue for us and we have been blessed to have gotten this far without it.

He just stopped by a little while ago to pick up a couple of things and he seemed to be doing ok with managing the pain it and not having to be "out of it" .

Nick had a wonderful visit from the youth minister at our church yesterday.  Morgan is young and had never met Nick because he came to the church after we basically haven't been going for quite some time.  I knew from our conversations that if Nick agreed to meet with him he would like him.  He and Kelly and my other son Jeff all hung out yesterday afternoon and Nick really, really was comfortable and thankful to now have him in his life.... He and Kelly were  going to go to the Saturday contemporary service that he leads, but after not getting home from the hospital until almost 4pm  he wanted to rest, but I bet they will be there next week.  Thank you Morgan for being in his life :)

Continue to pray for all of us.... we are navigating new territory without the comfort and safety of CHOP and SLOAN......  we are nervous, tired, and full of angst most of the time... but we will march on, doing everything we possibly can to manage the medical part and let Nick have as much freedom as he can.

Cancer Battler, Deputy Sheriff, Paul Bowden needs YOUR prayer

From: James Beach

Date: April 16, 2011 12:39:57 AM CDT

To: Rick Bockwinkel

Subject: Prayer Request

Rick,

Paul Bowden is our deputy sheriff here in the town where we live in Washington, and also a good friend.  Paul had a liver biopsy on Thursday and will get results back on Tuesday.  Two spots have been found on nis liver and the Oncologists suspects it to be cancerous.

Paul has a 15, 10 and 5 year old daughter at home, he is very active in Church and a credit to our community.

Please pass on this request to the prayerchain for me that God our Father will give Paul and his family a favorable finding on Tuesday and, as Paul say's "It is what it is".... so if it IS... Let us pray that the Father will have mercy on Pauls family and find it in HIS will to cure him outright!

Thanks Bock!

James

Cindy Signaigo...OK...UPDATE 1

Update 1 from the Hubby, Johnny Sig:


Rick,
 Thanks for hooking us up with the Prayer Group...........Cindy is doing
as good as possible but under a lot of pain.....mostly seat belt injury
but back and neck too........it was pretty high speed for a suburban
intersection.........Cindy was driving her brand new (only 2 payments
old) Lexus.........what a tank......mostly hit at a "head on but angled"
kind of thing......The other driver was at fault and got the
ticket.....The Lexus is probably totaled.............Thanks again Rick
for the prayer group help...............John boy



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear PG...please say a quick prayer...

Rick,

I don’t know if you where in the email loop.  Cindy is OK, but involved in a car accident (not her fault) and probably totaled her car.  Spent about two days in the hospital.  Nothing broken.  Now at home, with meds, recouping.  You can put her on the prayer list for a while.

Hope all is well,

Bob Sig

UPDATE #6: The TWINS are going FULL TERM!

UPDATE 6:

From: George Bockwinkel

Date: April 12, 2011 8:07:05 AM CDT

To: Rick Bockwinkel

Subject: The MN Twins-Update

Rick, Sarah celebrated 37 weeks of pregnancy this past Sunday and had a check up on yesterday. Hard to imagine that 8 weeks ago, everyone was asked to pray to keep those twin girls "in" a little longer. Those prayers certainly were answered. Now we can say prayers of "thanks" for prayers answered and request prayers of comfort for Sarah (and James) and for a timely and safe delivery. While they did not doing any measuring of the twins on yesterday's visit, recall a few weeks ago, they were 5 lbs 4 oz. and 5 lbs. 14oz. and both in the head down position. James'  message pretty much sums it up. "Thank you for the prayers.  Sarah is pretty much uncomfortable all the time, so she's about right where she should be in the pregnancy.  Now, if this comes to a natural end sooner rather than later, we would really be beholden to all those praying for us... :-)

UPDATE 5:

On Friday, the Jr. Bockwinkels called us on our drive to Tampa. All is well. Baby A now weighs 5 lbs. 10 oz. while Baby B weighs a mere 5 lbs. 4 oz. Both are still "head down", BUT Baby B now has the fast track and pole position. While A was eating and growing, B was using all her energy and time to take over the pole position. Both babies have working organs like the stomachs, lungs. Doctor said Sarah was a 60-70% chance for a "V" delivery. He could not have been more elated with her status. This Sunday will be 35 Weeks. They have come a long wiay from the troubled days of Week 29. Growth through prayer works!

UPDATE 4:

Sarah had a routine visit with her OB on Wednesday(3/2/11). No ultrasound, no poking or probing. All seems as it is suppose to be. Doctor just reinterated, the longer they stay put, the better. 32 weeks is within sight (Sunday). I think we can all hear God saying, I'm hearing all of those prayers, "just trust in Me." George Bockwinkel

UPDATE 3:

From: George Bockwinkel

Date: February 20, 2011 12:52:28 PM CST

To: 

Subject: 2/20 Sarah's Update

Sarah returned home on Wednesday from Rochester as I believe you are aware of. The "twins" and she were all doing well. The "twins" had each grown 4 oz.since their ultrasound on Wednesday, 2/9. More importantly, the steroid injections they receeived in Rochester enhanced the developement of the organs, particularily their lungs. On Thursday, Sarah felt an increase in the frequency of contractions (15 minutes apart), so we went back to Rochester for some professional opinions. They monitored her for a couple of hours and she was released to return home. There had been no change in her dialation or effacing. Sarah is considered to be in latent labor. That is to say, the contractions are conditioning her body for the ultimate delivery. We (Ginny and I) departed Winona for J.C. on Saturday morning as Sarah's parents and youngest sister departed Rosemount for Winona at abut the same time. While Sarah's sister and dad returned to Rosemount on Saturday eveing, Lisa is staying until Monday (when hopefully, the snow will have stopped falling and the roads will have been plowed). They are forecasting 6-15" and already had 6" by noon today. Sarah continues to have irregular spaced contractions since Thursday. While her due date is May 1, full term for twins is considered 37 or 38 weeks (April 10 or 17). Today (Feb.20) she is 30 weeks. Since they weigh 3 lbs. 1 oz. and 3 lbs. even, they could stand to grow some more in order to reduce their stay in the hospital after birth.  Thanks for all the prayers. They helped get through the crisis and everything is on a more normal pace. Continued prayers will help see Sarah and the twins through to a healthy and safe delivery at God's appolinted time. The next update will be when anything significant changes.

UPDATE 2: Babies stayed put, that's good. The longer they stay put, the better for all concerned. While Sarah's contractions resumed after she was taken off meds that slowed down or stopped her contractions, that was not unexpected. They performed through ultrasounds on Wednesday morning. All is very good. Babies have grown 4 oz. each since last Wednesday. They are now 3 lbs. 1 oz. and 3 lbs even. More importantly, the steroids has aided in the developement of organs and their diaphrams/lungs are both functioning. Doctor felt comfortable in releasing Sarah to go home as they could do nothing more at the hospital. She is NOT on bed rest, BUT she can not drive, nor return to classes or her job duties, nor do much of anything around the apartment other than take it easy. Sarah got home Wednesday afternoon. She does not feel contractions when napping (as demonstrated in the ride home or another short nap once settled in), but when awake, has a contraction about once an hour, but they are not all that strong.  Unfortunately, the future is not very predictable.  Continue prayers so that the twins stay put for a time longer. This weekend they will be 30 weeks. UPDATE 1

We are in Rochester.  After a couple days (Sunday around2:30 until Tuesday at 2:00) Sarah has had drugs to slow down the labor and the twins have had two rounds of steriods to help develop their organs.  The drugs worked well at first then contractions started in again and we thought the little girls were going make an appearance.  We got out the word for the need of prayer and we headed to Rochester.  The prayers have been working, thanks to all of you and all the others who have "stormed" the heavens.  The girls have remained in womb and each day they will become stornger.  As of 2:00 p.m. today (Tuesday) Sarah had her last round of drugs to slow down the labor.  Her contractions are virtually non-existant.  The Dr. said her labor has been slowed down, she is now in latent labor.  We will see what tonight brings. If tonight proves to pass with non-existant labor, she may be able to return to Winona.  The Dr. will visit with James and Sarah in the morning and go over a plan. We appreciate all of your prayers and ask for continued prayers hopefully for another couple weeks when they will be 31 plus weeks and be much more ready to meet the challenges of the outside world. Thanks again for all your prayers and support we have felt God's loving hand in our journey.

James (my cousin, the youngest of our generation) took Sarah to the hospital this afternoon (Sunday) as she was experiencing pre-mature labor with the twins. Sarah is 29 weeks along, but obviously they would like her to get to 36 weeks, but that may not happen. Medical people have checked Sarah and the twins at the hospital today and all are doing well (except for the pre-mature labor). They are trying to slow down the contractions to put off the delivery. They have given twins some steroids to help speed their development. Unfortunately, the hospital in LaCross WS does not have room in their neo-natal ward, so, for safety they are transporting Sarah to hospital (Mayo) in Rochester MN this evening. FYI, just last week, the extensive check up showed both babies doing well with one weighing 2 lbs. 12 oz. and the other 2 lbs. 13 oz. Thanks for the prayers.

Please Pray for Mickie Boyle...updates GOOD NEWS

GOOD NEWS update!!!!

From: james boyle [mailto:jbigcanoe@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 9:30 PM
Subject: Mick takes a giant step forward

 

The doctors told us today that Mick, if nothing changes by tomorrow, will be released from the hospital tomorrow - the day before her birthday - Happy Birthday.  She has been hospitalized 19 days, on a heart pump, ventilator with many advances and a good number of stumbles.  The Lord has given us another chance at a good life and she is determined to make it a good 'new lease on life'.  She will have a lot of rehab and is not forcasted to reach her 'potential' for aboout 9 months. 
There is no doubt in our minds that our prayers and her determination to stay with us are the reasons she is here.  The doc's obviously did a magnificent job, but it was the Man upstairs that called this shot.  Several doc's have told us they did not expect her to pull thru - see what a determined Irishman can do when challenged.
Again thank you, keep up your prayers for Mick and rejoice with us on her birthday, Saturday.
Jim

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: james boyle [mailto:jbigcanoe@hotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 5:11 AMSubject: Mick

  Thank the Lord Mick survived another night.  It was relatively good evening.  The internal heart pump moved and had to be repositioned around 2am. Other than that it was peaceful  She remains on the vent and of course the supplemental heart assist pump.  Today they will attempt to lower it's output rate to see if she is able to pick up the slack and start to sustain her organs.  She has acute pneumonia - treatment of which is being somewhat hampered because the specific anti biotics are interfering with kidney function.  Her kidneys had ceased functioning but with the heart pump have now starting again.  She has made a series of mini steps forward, but is still unstable and in very critical condition.  She is touch and go and it can go either way at this time.  The only forecast from the doctors is "We are doing everythig we can".  There is one thing that will bring Mick thru this that is prayer. She needs all she can get --- PLEASE pray for her.
We set up a website under www.caringbridge.org/MicheleBoyle and hope to be updating it frequently with her progress
Thank you for all your calls, emails and prayers.  She will get thru this with your intercessions.
Thanks to everyone.

Subject: PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR MICKIE

With God's help, Mickie made it thru the night.  She is unstable and in extremely critical condition.  She is on a respirator and suffered from, among other things respitory arrest.  She has developed pneumonia.  She has not had a heart attack or stroke, but is suffering from a condition the Doc's call Stress Induced Cardiac Myopathy.  Simply all the grief and stress in her life lately has destroyed her hearts ability to pump blood.  Her ejection factor - yesterday was 15 which is 20 % of the normal heart and not enough to sustain the organs.  They had put a pump in to assist her heart in pumping blood, that did not do the job so last evening they put in a bigger heart pump.  She is slightly better, but there is no prognosis and we ask for your prayers.  That is the only thing that will save our Mick.

Just a thought, if you don't believe stress can kill - think again.
Jim

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From our colleague in prayer, Reagan M, this request from his friend...

Please say a prayer for Mickie Boyle, wife of a good friend and former rep of mine.  They have had their challenges lately.   Jim has had two cancer operations, then Mickie’s mother died two weeks ago and now this.  She just collapsed yesterday.  They did a heart cath and couldn’t find any aterial problems, yet her heart is only pumping 20%.  Gave her last rites at 4 am today.  

Please help.

Thanks

OB

If the Bible were your cell phone...

What would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? 

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? 

What if we flipped through it several times a day? 

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? 

What if we used it to receive messages from the text? 

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? 

What if we gave it to Kids as gifts? 

What if we used it when we traveled? 

What if we used it in case of emergency? 

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible? 

Oh, and two more things. 

You never have to worry about the battery dying, it has eternal life.

And unlike our cell  phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being 

Disconnected because Jesus already paid the  bill. 

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!
When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!