Dear Praying Family,
This is a difficult posting for us because it deals with set backs in our daughter Barbara's battle with cancer. The last few days have been especially difficult and unexpected. Your ongoing prayers are critical and vital at this time.
Barb, through her husband Erik, posted the following on her caring bridge site this afternoon.
"The cross that Jesus has asked me to bear has gotten heavier. Sunday after Church I experienced a seizure and Erik called 911. Paramedics incorrectly concluded I had a panic attack. I tried to carry on as normal but Monday I had another seizure. Erik took me to my primary care doctor who then sent me to the ER. I was admitted to the hospital and I am still here. I had a CT scan & an MRI which revealed a new lesion in the posterior portion of my brain's frontal lobe. We are waiting for the consultation with the neuro-surgeon to ascertain the next move medically. I have lost some function on the right side of my body, especially my right arm and hand. Thankfully I am left handed. I am presently on anti-seizure meds, but had another seizure about an hour ago. Please keep us & the doctors in your prayers. Love Barb (typed by Erik)
Thank you for standing with Barb and the whole family at this difficult time. While this is not an easy time we continue to rely on God who has told us in Mark 10:27 "Jesus looked at them and said 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'"
Love & prayers
Dave & Joan
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Dear Praying Family,
Some of you may have heard by now that Barb's post operation CT/PET scans revealed ongoing cancer activity in her liver and lungs. Here is what she wrote on her blog. "Dearest ones, Thanks to all of you who prayed as I saw the Dr. today (Tuesday). He was upbeat despite the bad scan results. He wants to start me back on the heavy doses of chemo I was originally on. He said they worked amazingly well the first time and he expects them to do the same again. He acknowledged that real miracles and cures come from God's hands. He says after three months of treatment and another CT/PET scan he will advise lung surgery and possibly radiated beads to the liver. He says I am in a "brave new frontier" as there is nothing to compare my case with. I have the evidence of God's mercies to look back on and I can SEE the tender way HE has cared for me. So I know with confidence HE will see me through this round.It is through YOU, HE has ministered to me and I am forever grateful! Thanks for the amazing encouragement you give through this blog, e-mails, phone calls, visits, etc. I could not do this alone and thanks to the family of God I do not have to. You are all angels! A verse sent today by a person I never met yet she is praying for me: Psalm 96:16 "With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation". Praise with us for the hope we have and pray as I begin chemo that God will use the treatment to kill all cancer in my body. Praise for the fabulous summer I have experienced and all the wonderful times with the kids and pray that they will continue to see God's mercy even though their mom will be 'sick again'. I am not sure when chemo will start as the Dr. wants me to have a colonoscopy first as that was the original site of the cancer. I will keep you posted so you can pray specifically. All my gratitude, Barbara "
Barb will once again not only need the ongoing prayer support but she will need practical assistance especially during the week after the administration of the strong chemo drugs. Joan will once again make the necessary trips to California to help with the five grandkids and to be a source of support and encouragement to Barb and Erik. Thanks so much for your prayers for her and for the entire family.
I don't believe that we have mentioned here on the blog what wonderful times we had with our friends David and Muriel Standing from the UK who were here with us for a month, mid-June to mid-July. Life has been really busy since they left, getting caught up with a back log of work here in the Calgary office.
We go to Orlando. FL next week to attend a North American Forum of Bible Agencies. During that time we will also visit Jim and Jan Holsclaw, our son-in-law Jon's parents. Jan also has been battling cancer for almost 2 years now and just recently got out of the hospital for treatment of some serious infections. Her cancer counts have been elevated recently but she has not been on chemo as her CT/PET scans have not shown any activity to this point in time so the Dr. does not want to put her chemo until he is sure of what it is he is treating. Please be praying for Jan and Jim as they walk this similar road. We will also be visiting a supporting church in Starke, FL on this trip as well. Pray for safety as we travel and as we have opportunity to show the love of Christ to others.
Love & Prayers
Dave & Joan
Some of you may have heard by now that Barb's post operation CT/PET scans revealed ongoing cancer activity in her liver and lungs. Here is what she wrote on her blog. "Dearest ones, Thanks to all of you who prayed as I saw the Dr. today (Tuesday). He was upbeat despite the bad scan results. He wants to start me back on the heavy doses of chemo I was originally on. He said they worked amazingly well the first time and he expects them to do the same again. He acknowledged that real miracles and cures come from God's hands. He says after three months of treatment and another CT/PET scan he will advise lung surgery and possibly radiated beads to the liver. He says I am in a "brave new frontier" as there is nothing to compare my case with. I have the evidence of God's mercies to look back on and I can SEE the tender way HE has cared for me. So I know with confidence HE will see me through this round.It is through YOU, HE has ministered to me and I am forever grateful! Thanks for the amazing encouragement you give through this blog, e-mails, phone calls, visits, etc. I could not do this alone and thanks to the family of God I do not have to. You are all angels! A verse sent today by a person I never met yet she is praying for me: Psalm 96:16 "With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation". Praise with us for the hope we have and pray as I begin chemo that God will use the treatment to kill all cancer in my body. Praise for the fabulous summer I have experienced and all the wonderful times with the kids and pray that they will continue to see God's mercy even though their mom will be 'sick again'. I am not sure when chemo will start as the Dr. wants me to have a colonoscopy first as that was the original site of the cancer. I will keep you posted so you can pray specifically. All my gratitude, Barbara "
Barb will once again not only need the ongoing prayer support but she will need practical assistance especially during the week after the administration of the strong chemo drugs. Joan will once again make the necessary trips to California to help with the five grandkids and to be a source of support and encouragement to Barb and Erik. Thanks so much for your prayers for her and for the entire family.
I don't believe that we have mentioned here on the blog what wonderful times we had with our friends David and Muriel Standing from the UK who were here with us for a month, mid-June to mid-July. Life has been really busy since they left, getting caught up with a back log of work here in the Calgary office.
We go to Orlando. FL next week to attend a North American Forum of Bible Agencies. During that time we will also visit Jim and Jan Holsclaw, our son-in-law Jon's parents. Jan also has been battling cancer for almost 2 years now and just recently got out of the hospital for treatment of some serious infections. Her cancer counts have been elevated recently but she has not been on chemo as her CT/PET scans have not shown any activity to this point in time so the Dr. does not want to put her chemo until he is sure of what it is he is treating. Please be praying for Jan and Jim as they walk this similar road. We will also be visiting a supporting church in Starke, FL on this trip as well. Pray for safety as we travel and as we have opportunity to show the love of Christ to others.
Love & Prayers
Dave & Joan
Monday, June 30, 2008
Dear Praying Family,
We wanted to update you on our latest activities since our last posting three weeks ago. At that time I (Dave) returned from LA after 6 days with Barb and family. Joan had been there for more than a week at that time including Barb's surgery date on May 28th. Joan returned to Calgary on June 13th but I was gone out to the Eastern Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick where we dedicated our new Wycliffe Eastern Canada Center.
I returned to Calgary on June 17th after an unexpected overnight in Ottawa. Our friends David & Muriel Standing (pictured with Joan) actually arrived on the afternoon of June 15th so for the last two weeks we have been playing the part of tourists taking in local sites as well as the incredibly beautiful Rocky Mountains. David & Muriel will be with us until July 14th.
Over the past week or so Barb has seen both her surgeon and her oncologist. We praise God for continued good news. The surgeon removed the bandages and said that she had healed beautifully and cleared her to resume normal activities including driving. Her oncologist said that her cancer count was still in the normal range even though she has had no chemo for 10 weeks now, prior to and following the surgery on the 28th of May so he said he was going to keep her on a "chemo holiday" Please pray with us that she will never again need chemo of any sort. They plan to do another CT/PET scan soon to serve as a new base line. Because she took the last two weeks of the school year off for her surgery she needed to get clearance to return in the fall to the LA School District where she is a Special Education Teacher for severely handicapped children. The doctor approved her return so that is a praise as well. This past week she helped some with a VBS at their church. The kids are out of school for the summer and their baseball teams have also finished their schedule for the year. They are planning a 2 week camping vacation with Tim and Naomi later this summer.
This past week Tim and family have been at Barb and Erik's as Tim needed to be down in the LA area for additional training with Noritsu the Japanese photo-chemical company that he works for so Naomi and Renatah went along to have time with Barb and her kids. A fun time was had by all. Prior to going to LA they were involved in an accident where a drunk driver side swiped them while they were in Seattle attending a Noritsu regional meeting. No one was hurt but the car sustained considerable damage. This was Tim's new work car which is supplied by Noritsu so he is currently using a rental until it's repaired.
Ruth finished up her school year where she teaches math, ESL and ceramics to 7th graders. She has also been working on some additional classes to upgrade her math credential.
Amy and Jon and family who minister in a large Asian country have been on vacation for the last couple of weeks and really enjoying the time off as their work can be very stressful at times. The kids are all out of school for the summer as well.
That's about it for this time. If you want more info on Barb go to her site at www.caringbridge.org go to visit and type in 4barbararouth
Pray that I Dave can keep a good balance between work and having time with David & Muriel during these next two weeks. There is seldom ever a dull moment here in Calgary with lots happening in the Wycliffe Canada context.
You are all a great blessing in our lives and we feel so privileged to have you as partners in the Gospel and the ministry of Bible Translation for the Bibleless peoples of the world.
In Christ
Dave & Joan
We wanted to update you on our latest activities since our last posting three weeks ago. At that time I (Dave) returned from LA after 6 days with Barb and family. Joan had been there for more than a week at that time including Barb's surgery date on May 28th. Joan returned to Calgary on June 13th but I was gone out to the Eastern Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick where we dedicated our new Wycliffe Eastern Canada Center.
I returned to Calgary on June 17th after an unexpected overnight in Ottawa. Our friends David & Muriel Standing (pictured with Joan) actually arrived on the afternoon of June 15th so for the last two weeks we have been playing the part of tourists taking in local sites as well as the incredibly beautiful Rocky Mountains. David & Muriel will be with us until July 14th.
Over the past week or so Barb has seen both her surgeon and her oncologist. We praise God for continued good news. The surgeon removed the bandages and said that she had healed beautifully and cleared her to resume normal activities including driving. Her oncologist said that her cancer count was still in the normal range even though she has had no chemo for 10 weeks now, prior to and following the surgery on the 28th of May so he said he was going to keep her on a "chemo holiday" Please pray with us that she will never again need chemo of any sort. They plan to do another CT/PET scan soon to serve as a new base line. Because she took the last two weeks of the school year off for her surgery she needed to get clearance to return in the fall to the LA School District where she is a Special Education Teacher for severely handicapped children. The doctor approved her return so that is a praise as well. This past week she helped some with a VBS at their church. The kids are out of school for the summer and their baseball teams have also finished their schedule for the year. They are planning a 2 week camping vacation with Tim and Naomi later this summer.
This past week Tim and family have been at Barb and Erik's as Tim needed to be down in the LA area for additional training with Noritsu the Japanese photo-chemical company that he works for so Naomi and Renatah went along to have time with Barb and her kids. A fun time was had by all. Prior to going to LA they were involved in an accident where a drunk driver side swiped them while they were in Seattle attending a Noritsu regional meeting. No one was hurt but the car sustained considerable damage. This was Tim's new work car which is supplied by Noritsu so he is currently using a rental until it's repaired.
Ruth finished up her school year where she teaches math, ESL and ceramics to 7th graders. She has also been working on some additional classes to upgrade her math credential.
Amy and Jon and family who minister in a large Asian country have been on vacation for the last couple of weeks and really enjoying the time off as their work can be very stressful at times. The kids are all out of school for the summer as well.
That's about it for this time. If you want more info on Barb go to her site at www.caringbridge.org go to visit and type in 4barbararouth
Pray that I Dave can keep a good balance between work and having time with David & Muriel during these next two weeks. There is seldom ever a dull moment here in Calgary with lots happening in the Wycliffe Canada context.
You are all a great blessing in our lives and we feel so privileged to have you as partners in the Gospel and the ministry of Bible Translation for the Bibleless peoples of the world.
In Christ
Dave & Joan
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Dear Praying Family,
I wanted to get off a brief update on our daughter Barbara in light of her surgery on May 28th. On the night of the 27th the surgeon actually called and said he wasn't sure he wanted to do the surgery but after further consultation with Barb's oncologist they decided to go ahead with the surgery but not with the previous intention that the surgeon was thinking which was to remove a major portion of Barb's liver in order to remove the remaining six lesions.
The surgeon began by first inserting a camera and looking in order to try and determine the best way forward. He then decided to make a large incision in order to get a really good look at her liver. What he discovered was that the lesions were actually much smaller than they appeared on the CT/PET scans and did not appear to be active. So using a technique where a heat probe is inserted directly into the lesions he was able to literally obliterate them without having to actually cut into the liver. He was also very pleased with how healthy Barb's liver looked. Barb was in the hospital for 5 days and came home on Sunday June 1st and has been making good progress each day in her recovery from the surgery. Joan has been with her since the 26th of May and will return to Calgary on June 13th. I was able to be down in LA with Barb and the family from May 29 to June 3rd. I leave for Toronto and Halifax tomorrow morning and will return to Calgary on the 16th.
We are all very pleased with with the ongoing healing that is continuing in Barb's body. Both her oncologist and surgeon keep saying that they are dealing in uncharted waters. That is their way of saying that they are not sure what to do with Barb because according to their charts Barb is defying all of the normal expectations. We of course know who the Great Physician is and He works by a whole different set of charts called grace, mercy and answered prayer. Thank you so much for your standing with Barb and all of us on this journey of faith. Your prayers have made and continue to make a huge difference.
Love & Prayers
Dave & Joan
I wanted to get off a brief update on our daughter Barbara in light of her surgery on May 28th. On the night of the 27th the surgeon actually called and said he wasn't sure he wanted to do the surgery but after further consultation with Barb's oncologist they decided to go ahead with the surgery but not with the previous intention that the surgeon was thinking which was to remove a major portion of Barb's liver in order to remove the remaining six lesions.
The surgeon began by first inserting a camera and looking in order to try and determine the best way forward. He then decided to make a large incision in order to get a really good look at her liver. What he discovered was that the lesions were actually much smaller than they appeared on the CT/PET scans and did not appear to be active. So using a technique where a heat probe is inserted directly into the lesions he was able to literally obliterate them without having to actually cut into the liver. He was also very pleased with how healthy Barb's liver looked. Barb was in the hospital for 5 days and came home on Sunday June 1st and has been making good progress each day in her recovery from the surgery. Joan has been with her since the 26th of May and will return to Calgary on June 13th. I was able to be down in LA with Barb and the family from May 29 to June 3rd. I leave for Toronto and Halifax tomorrow morning and will return to Calgary on the 16th.
We are all very pleased with with the ongoing healing that is continuing in Barb's body. Both her oncologist and surgeon keep saying that they are dealing in uncharted waters. That is their way of saying that they are not sure what to do with Barb because according to their charts Barb is defying all of the normal expectations. We of course know who the Great Physician is and He works by a whole different set of charts called grace, mercy and answered prayer. Thank you so much for your standing with Barb and all of us on this journey of faith. Your prayers have made and continue to make a huge difference.
Love & Prayers
Dave & Joan
Sunday, May 25, 2008
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