Completing a Chapter

Jan 30, 2024 

We can see the finish line of Wednesday, Jan. 31, and for the first time it feels close. It has been 7 weeks since Ben underwent surgery on his liver and these past 7 weeks have been HARD. He will finish radiation tomorrow (completing 25 treatments) and with that comes the completion of the oral chemotherapy that he has been taking every day he has had radiation 👏🏻 We will be thankful for the chapter to close as the side effects have been intense at times. 

Will you pray that the side effects stop as soon as the treatments stop? 

Additionally, we saw a wound care specialist to get better care for his incision and are finally on a plan that should help the healing process move along better than it has been. We are grateful that it was never infected but having an open incision that goes across your whole abdomen has brought challenges with pain management. 

Will you pray that his incision heals fully and quickly? 

Two weeks ago, I told you all that I know there is purpose in this season, that there is purpose in the pain, and I am seeing glimpses into why this season has mattered. For some reason, God saw that we were fit to help walk along others who are also experiencing immense grief. We have walked through really hard things with our people these past few months and because of OUR hard, we have words of encouragement for our loved ones or just have the chance to “mourn with those who mourn” (Rom. 12:15). I don’t like this assignment, but it’s where we are and we refuse to let this season of pain pass by without seeing the purpose. 

After this, we enter another season of waiting and he will have a new set of scans mid-March to determine next steps. He will only get chemo through the abdominal pump that goes directly to the liver, so we anticipate side effects to be minimal. 

Will you pray that this next season will be restorative for his body? 

We continue to be grateful for the prayers and the generosity our family has been receiving along the way ♥️