Wendy's Decision

After much prayer, Wendy has decided to not take any more chemo treatments. After the last scan showed her as cancer-free, she learned that the chemo she was scheduled to take always produces side effects, and one of those that has happened to other patients is death. She prayed about it, and just doesn't feel that this is a risk she is supposed to take at this time. She will continue to have scans periodically to ensure that the cancer has not returned. Please continue to pray for her as she continues to regain her strength, and please pray that she will remain cancer-free! Thank you so much and God bless you all!

No Treatment, But Great News!

Wendy was not able to take her treatment today, but she got several pieces of good news while at the hospital. First and foremost, a scan shows her as cancer-free! That's such a good thing to be able to think and just to know...Wendy is cancer-free. I got a delicious shiver just typing that! I think I shall shout it joyfully in my car on my way home from work (would love to do it now, but don't want to startle my co-workers). Wendy is cancer-free. Wendy is cancer-free! WENDY IS CANCER-FREE!!! I just can't stop...but I must, or you won't know the rest of her good news. In addition to THAT, she also learned that a sore spot that had been giving her great concern is just post-operative soreness, and not anything worse as she thought it might be, so major relief for all. Third, when her blood levels are too low to take a treatment (as they were today), she usually receives a shot to raise them, but the shot makes her ache constantly. However, today - the day of miracles - her levels were higher than they normally are when they are too low (yes, I know how confusing that is...my apologies) and are rising on their own, so no shot was required. It was just a red-letter day at UAB, I must say. God showed out!

God is working, and I know it is because all of you people, His people, are asking in faith for healing for her. I cannot tell you how much it means to our family to know this. Our spirits are raised, and we thank you all so much for all of your prayers. God bless you all!!

Scratch That...Treatment Today (Tuesday)

Forgive me for not updating last week. Wendy has become very sick with an unknown illness, and was not allowed to take the treatment on Friday. We thought she might have had the flu, but she has been vaccinated, so we're not sure. Her treatment was re-scheduled for today, but as of yesterday, she was still very sick. She is going to go to the hospital today at the treatment appointment time, and see the doctor to determine what she has and whether she can take the treatment. A specific prayer request from Wendy - pray that she is allowed to keep the IV put in during lab work for the treatment. Usually, they remove the lab work IV and then put in another one when she goes downstairs for the treatment. The placing of the second IV is usually very painful. Once, she was able to convince them to leave the 1st IV in, and things were much smoother. Please pray also for peace and comfort - she is not looking forward to another round.

Thanks for all of your prayers!!

Treatment Friday

Wendy's next treatment is scheduled for Friday. Please pray for her as she prepares for it. She is also very sick today, and wasn't able to go on Landon's field trip to the Pumpkin Patch - a trip that both had been looking forward to for a long time. Please pray that she recovers from this sufficiently to be able to take the treatment. Thanks for your continued prayers!

More Treatments

Wendy heard from the doctor, and she has to take three more treatments. The first is scheduled for October 23rd. The side effects, if any, will begin to affect her about 7 - 10 days after the treatment. This is a different type of chemo, so we don't know exactly how it might be affect her. Please pray that she experiences no side effects. She is especially concerned about Halloween, because she is afraid she won't be able to enjoy everything with the kids. Please also pray for her to have peace about the situation - she wasn't expecting to have to take more treatments, so this has come as a bit of a shock. She is adjusting well, though. Thanks!

Decisions, Decisions....

Hi! Thanks for continuing to keep up with the blog. Wendy is currently awaiting more information from the doctors regarding more treatment options. She will learn their recommendations later this week. Please pray for God to give her wisdom to know what option God will have her to choose, regardless of the option the doctors recommend.

A praise - the catheters were removed last week, and Wendy is responding much better than expected!

She and the children have also had the flu this past week. They are basically over it, and the children are cleared to return to school tomorrow. Please continue to pray for healing for all of them, as they are still feeling weak.

Thanks for praying!! It means so much!!

Coming Home!

Wendy is coming home today! Praise God!! Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement to her and to us all. Please continue to pray for her recovery, and for the results of the pathology report. Samples of her bladder and lymph nodes were sent for further testing, so please pray that she will be given the All Clear and won't have to take any more chemo.

In case anyone wants to send her a card (this is not a solicitation for mail - just in case someone wants to), here is her address:

Wendy Franks
469 Co. Rd. 603
Hanceville, AL 35077

Thanks for everything and have a great day serving our Great GOD!!