Surrendered

A pic from our walk last week

Because this is Week 4, Debbie's body responded quickly to the IL2. 

Debbie had her first dose at 3pm yesterday. Her body reacted quickly and her blood pressure dropped to 60 by 7pm. She was itching uncontrolably, nauseous, feeling sick and hallucinating (she saw red spots all over me) The nurses quickly got everything under control. She ended up getting on the Neo quicker than she ever has before. 

Her BP has been a roller coaster and trying to keep it under control has meant higher doses of Neo. Higher doses of Neo mean less doses of IL2. If the Neo dose goes too high, she has to go to ICU where other methods are used to help get her BP under control. 

All of this could be really stressful. But it really isn't. We could be sick with worry about "What if?" We have surrendered the outcome of this whole process to God. No matter what happens, we will be good. 

We surrendered the outcome before we started treatment. 

We are children of God. Nothing can change that. We are totally and completely loved by God. Nothing can change that. We have our foundation. This has given us peace that surpasses understanding. This has given us the strength and courage to endure this process. God has provided for us time and time again! 

We feel so thankful and blessed. 

Ready for Week 4

Tiger & Debbie bonding

We can't believe that two weeks have flown by! 

Week 3 ended up being pretty good. The treatment did hit Debbie pretty hard for a couple of days after we got home. She was VERY nauseas and had another crushing headache that lasted for most of a day. She had to take meds and sleep a lot. All the water weight came off pretty quick. Her skin is still all flaky and itchy...it usually doesn't clear up on this shorter break.

Debbie loves horses. 

She had one growing up and has always dreamed of owning one again. God has known this and has been giving Debbie many blessings. God brought some special people into her life. Debbie has been blessed by Sharon & Susan, two women that live down our road. They have horses and barns and riding arenas! Their willingness to share and spend time with Debbie has meant the world to her.

She has been riding Susan's horse named Tiger. I think she is falling for this big guy. She hopes to lease him and ride him ongoing. She got to ride on Saturday evening and she said it helped her be ready for Monday (when she begins Week 4). It was something to dream about and be grateful to God for providing a desire of her heart. She looks forward to getting out of the hospital and riding him soon.

We head back to the hospital tomorrow morning. The picc (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) is scheduled around 8am and her first dose will be at 3pm.

I will keep you updated from the hospital.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Answered Payers

Debbie received the 11pm dose last night. This was her 4th dose. The doctors expected her to only get 4 or 5 doses, so this is a win. We have spent all day today weaning off of the Neo. The nurses think they can have her off of it by morning, so hopefully we can satisfy all of the requirements to get home earlier on Saturday.

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We started out Week 3 with many of the nurses congratulating us on being here. The staff was truly happy that we were there. They explained that most of the people they see for Weeks 1 and 2 don't come back. The only people that come back for Week 3 are the ones that are responding to the IL2! Sadly, 90% of the people don't make it back for Week 3.

We have heard more stories from the staff about tumors the size of tennis balls disappearing and people being cured. We have learned about other indicators that the IL2 is working such as reduced platelet levels. Debbie started Week 3 with her platelets around 335 and they are currently at 105!

This week has been tough. Being confined to a hospital bed, hooked up to monitors and pumps, having her blood pressure rise and fall like a roller coaster and being made sick by the IL2...all in a normal week of IL2. 

But honestly Week 3 has been somewhat of a breeze. Honestly. You can ask Debbie. 

She hasn't had any headaches, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting, shakes or rigors and hasn't had much nausea. 

This is exactly what we (us and all of you) have been praying for...Maximum effectiveness and minimum side effects and discomfort.

THANK YOU JESUS !!!!

Thank you team!!

My Daily Bread...and coffee

Day 2 started with the verse of the day from ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:14-17‬ ‭MSG

"There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.”


I drink coffee everyday.  It is an important part of  my day‬‬. 

Today's verse of the day was a reminder for me about how important being in God's word daily is. More important than coffee!

God's word is alive and living! 

Reading His word has shaped us for this task. God has really been faithful to us throughout this whole process. His words comfort us and give us peace. Even before we found out the treatment was working, we knew we were going to be fine no matter what happens. 

We expect healing. We expect a miracle.  

We will trust God with everything we have and in everything we do!

Update on Debbie:

We had a quiet night last night other than the constant waking up for vital checks. 

She has had 2 doses out of a possible 4 (2/4/14) She is back on Neo to help control her blood pressure, so she is all wired up and constantly monitored. This also means she is confined to the bed. No new side effects so far. We are currently waiting to see 

if the Neo will be at a low enough level to receive the 11pm dose. 

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Day 1 Week 3

Debbie posted this today on her Instagram account:

It's me. Back here at the hospital for week 3 of IL2 immune therapy treatment for the kidney cancer that ended up in my lungs. I look ungrateful but I'm not. I look like I don't want to be here but that's  a lie. I look like I'm alone and without hope or comfort. Again a lie. I am so grateful for where God has placed me at this moment for this event. He has prepared and designed me to endure this very thing. I want to be here. I'm choosing this with my free will. I'm choosing to fight rather than give up! I am not alone. Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. The Holy Spirit brings me great comfort that he is running ahead fighting this battle for me. And if that weren't enough God has given me family and children that love and honor their mom and daughter in a precious way and the love of my life to come and be by my side for 7 nights and days! Oh and did I mention a team of people praying for God to work in this situation. To bring total healing to myself and many others. No this is the face of a girl who knows she is exactly where she is supposed to be!! Yes! This is good!!! #theloveofgod #peacelikeariver #thejesuscollective #fightorflight #thegodlifehaspurpose #prayforrevival

Ready for Week 3

Looking down at Beacon Rock

It has been awhile since the last post.

Debbie has been getting better everyday. She  continues to grow stronger and the side effects are fading away.

 She has been doing all her normal activities including her daily three mile route.

On Memorial Day, we went on an 8.5 mile hike on Hamilton Mountain. She did great! She didn't do as well as she thought she should do and had to overcome some frustration.

June 6th is here already. It is time to go back in to the hospital for Week 3.

Just to recap - Debbie is all done with the first round of treatment which consists of 1 week of treatment, 2 weeks back home, and then another week of treatment. She is scanned 4 weeks after to track the IL2 progress.

We are asking for prayer for this week. 

Specifically prayer for:

Proper picc placement, wisdom and  guidance for each caregiver that comes in contact with Debbie, continued strength and peace for Debbie. 

We are asking God for a miracle - that Debbie is completely healed!

Thank you for being part of our team!

We are overwhelmed with all the support God has provided through each one of you.

We are expecting great things and are very excited to see what God is going to do!!

We will be posting often to keep you posted through Week 3.