May 17th, 2010
Dear St. George’s Family,
Today we find ourselves in all too familiar surroundings.
After dropping Matthew off at school for the day, Rhonda and I made our way in to the Juravenski Centre in Hamilton. We thought we were coming in for a 1-hour appointment.
Rhonda had some blood work done and we saw the oncologist. He began to plan for our radiation treatments. The plan includes 5 days of general ‘whole brain’ radiation beginning tomorrow and finishing on Wednesday of next week. Then 6 weeks of chemotherapy and daily, targeted radiation will follow.
As we stood up to leave the appointment Rhonda was hit with a wave of nausea and very severe headaches. The doctor decided, on the spot, to have us admitted today and for the duration of the ‘whole brain’ radiation treatment.
So here we are, back in the familiar surroundings of a hospital room.
Many of you will know that the list of side effects from radiation therapy reads like a disease itself. The most concerning side effect is swelling. Given the size of the tumor and the swelling around it, Rhonda’s cranial cavity is near maximum capacity. Her bouts of increased nausea and headaches occur when the swelling increases and her brain is under pressure. There is really no room for swelling at this point. Please pray that there will be no swelling. Too much swelling could be catastrophic.
I have heard from so many of you, faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. You have shared your experiences of deepening prayer as you pray for my family. I have been praying in new ways as well. God has allowed me to pray even more boldly. It is not hard to pray boldly when you are praying for your wife who has an inoperable brain tumor.
Well aware of the thousands of people praying and watching our story unfold I have prayed like Moses. In Numbers 14 God told Moses that He planned to let Israel be wiped out by their enemies after leaving Egypt.
But Moses said to the Lord, “Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for you brought up this people in your might from among them, and they will tell the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you, O Lord, are in the midst of this people. For you, O Lord, are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if you kill this people as one man, then the nations who have heard your fame will say, ‘It is because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to give to them that he has killed them in the wilderness.’ Numbers 14:13-16
Moses boldly reminded God that His reputation was at stake. God had to act on behalf of His people. I know He will act in Rhonda’s body. I do not know what that action will look like, but I know He will be glorified.
The Master is teaching me to pray boldly.
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks to God for everything. Don’t quench the Spirit.
RD
Bless you, dear friends. You are not alone.
The Lord Jesus and His servants are interceding on your behalf at this very moment.
I have been praying every night for Rhonda, I pray that GOD will shrink the tumor completely – nothing is impossible for GOD if it HIS will HE will do it. I will continue to pray every day for her speedy recovery. I cannot even imagine what you are going through, but I do know your faith will carry you through this time in your lives. Cancer is an evil disease it does not care about the horrible pain it causes I truly believe it a disease satan causes. But GOD is so much more powerful than he is, my heart goes out to you Rhonda & the pain you are going through. May GOD bless you & your family. Barbara
Lord jesus I pray just now that tumor will shrink and begone even before treatments starts.You are able to do all things LORD and do them well, Bless this family now,Iask it in your name that is above every name.Amen.GOD BLESS.
Dear RD,Rhonda, and Matthew,
I am so praying for a miracle,and we know our Lord will in His wonderful way show us mighty things.
RD I know the power of prayer and am sure you all have to be feeling “lifted up” during this difficult time.
How are Rhonda’s spirits? Hug her often, us women love that.
I will along with our bible study group continue praying for you all. Appreciate your postings, which help us to share in your journey.
God bless.
Dear Jesus, Great Physician, look down upon your dear child, Rhonda and have mercy upon her. Touch her in a special way and grant her a complete healing, according to your sovereign will. Cover her with your almighty wings, ease her pain, swallow up the swelling and the nausea. Blood of Jesus, Great Physician, cover her. Surround your dear servant Ray David and his son Matthew with your comforting presence and your peace that passes all understanding. Would you please hug Matthew and hold him tight in your precious arms. Do not let him go. In your mighty precious Name, the Name above every name, I pray. Amen.
ray david a good job candywhite
Thank you for sharing, you are uplifted to our Father.xxx
I have so few words to express the empathy I feel for each of you through this faith journey. We walked it for 6 years when Ira had cancer… and although each is a uniquely different journey, there are familiar anchors… God’s faithfulness, His sustaining promises, His all-sufficient grace as you ride these ups and downs, and the wonderful love of God touching us through people who carry the burden with us. Be assured, God is in control.
Caring, carrying, & praying with & for you,
Vinetta
Dear Rhonda,
May the Lord sustain you as you go through this next phase of treatment. I continue to join the family of God in daily prayer for your complete healing and will not let go.
Grace and peace to you, RD and Matthew.
Trusting in the God who is Greater,
Jacqueline
Rhonda and family,
You are on my mind so much. I too am praying and believing for God’s hand to reach down from heaven and touch you. Like Scott said ” you are not alone”
Love Michele
Dear Ray David, Rhonda and Matthew:
I can’t stop praying for you all ever since learning of your illness Rhonda. My days are constantly being jolted into stopping and lifting your names to our Jesus…..and now you are extremely close by and my prayers feel like they are only a breath away for you see I walk past this hospital many times throughout my week and as I do, I silently pray over those who enter in and out of those doors; for all the burdens and needs of patients, their families, their doctors and technicians and All who somehow blend into this circle of hope. Boldly in faithful prayer, I place you in the centre of that circle this night dear Glenn Family.
God Bless You,
Barb.
Rhonda, things always get to the lowest point before they get better, especially in the Bible. As your faith is tested lift up your eyes to a glorified Jesus and keep that healing image in your mind. You are in the middle of God’s story now, where things get really rocky. The end is coming, where you will be healed and out of this seemingly hopeless situation. It is not hopeless. We hope in One who rescues us. His glory is like the sun and His holiness bathes you even now in in His healing rays. I love you and will see you soon. You will have no reaction to the radiation so do not be afraid. Love you.
I did not know about Rhonda’s brain tumor..when my husband passed away in 1996 from prostate cancer, our lifeline was prayer and the prayers of God’s people..God is sovereign and has a plan for each one of us..May the Lord sustain the family through this challenge at this time..He is able to do the impossible..God be with you all..
Rhonda,Ray David,Matthew,We may not understand what you are going through but we know our GOD.
Jesus died for you so you can have life,Psalms 103 is yours #3 who healeth all thy diseases,who redeemeth thy life from destruction,so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s
1PETER 2,24 by whose stripes you are healed
Thanks for the infor.we will keep praying
Stand, fully pursuaded.