The Venable Family: Only Four Left

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Only Four Left

It's lunch time here and since I didn't have time yesterday I thought I would take my break by writing an update for you all on Michelle's treatment yesterday. For those counting, only four more major treatments to go, where she takes both Taxol and Herceptin. Of course, she will be taking Herceptin once every three weeks for the remainder of a year after these twelve weeks of Taxol; still, from what we hear, apart from the inconvenience of going and sitting there, there are no major side-effects with regards to bone pain, etc. Just that lingering concern about it compromising heart function temporarily while receiving it.

Okay, well, yesterday went real well. Her blood counts were real good except for the annoyance of the her hemoglobin going back down again to 10.7 (12.0 is normal), so she needed to receive a shot of Aranesp again after we thought she was done with it. Even though she didn't take the steroid she tolerated the treatment well. The only thing we can tell that is different, most likely as a result of not taking it, is that her face itches really badly and she developed a mild kind of bumpy rash. Strange...

Today, apart from her face still itching, she is not having any substantial discomfort with regards to bone pain, etc. She hasn't really even had to take any Ibuprofen to speak of which is truly amazing! You all must be praying really hard!!! (Could you please pray as hard for the condo to sell!!! ) Apart from being a bit fatigued and feeling tired, she is doing quite well; praise the Lord! So different than the last few weeks... what a strange journey this can be at times!

Enough for now; I will update you more later. Please continue to pray for Michelle, as you have all been so faithful to do. Pray also for the many "changes" going on for us right now, and especially that the condo would sell so we can have a smooth transition into a new home when we relocate! We love you all... - Steve and Michelle -

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are." (1 John 3:1; NASU)

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Trust, Lean, Acknowledge

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Prov 3:5-6)

An alternate rendering of "He shall direct your paths" is that the Lord will make your way smooth and/or straight. This can seem so contrary to life experiences, which at times appear to be anything but smooth or straight. Yet, as we trust in the Lord and not in our interpretation or thoughts on what is "happening around or to us", acknowledging that He is in control and nothing escapes His knowledge including the trials of life, relying on Him for even our very next breath, He truly provides "shock absorbtion" for the bumps and potholes of life; and what seemed to be a dramtic turn in the road is nothing more than Him redirecting us down a path for our edification and growth. It is not always easy and many times doesn't seem to make sense, but in the Lord it is ALWAYS for our good.

Trust in, lean on and acknowledge HIM... He will guide you through even the most difficult of times of life. Today, even if you are in the midst of the fiery trial, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, in Jesus you will come through it not singed, without even the "smell" of fire on you (Daniel 3:27), purified for greater service unto Him and bringing glory to His name alone.

Pause and Ponder (Selah):

"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say,'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.'" (James 4:13-16, NKJV)

At times like the one Michelle and I find ourselves in at the moment, it amazes me how simple life really becomes. Yes, things can seem on the surface complicated when you think of tests, surgery, radiation therapy, possibly chemotherapy; but in actuality, as life becomes more focused on the immediate and more critical, it slows and everything just seems a little more uncomplicated. You can't really make plans for tomorrow, next week, next month, or even next year to some extent; you literally have to live life moment to moment, day to day. This brings about a re-evaluation of ones life, causing that which is truly important to come to the forefront.

It makes me wonder how many times we, even as Christians, fashion our plans, establish where we are heading, and detail out where our life is going and then, once we have come up with it all, ask God to bless OUR endeavors having never sought Him in the process. How much struggle do we bring into our own lives because we didn't first seek Him as we were coming up with our "plans"? I am reminded again that is is okay to make plans in the Lord for our future, but in the end it is the Lord's will that matters most. To paraphrase Henry Blackaby from Experiencing God, we are really here to simply participate in what God is already doing around us!!! As the Word says, don't get caught up looking to tomorrow because you have no control over what it holds and sufficient for the day (today) is it's own trouble (or "stuff" to deal with!). Oh yeah, and don't get hung up looking back at yesterday either because you can't change it!

Keep an eye on where you are heading in the future, yes, trusting in Jesus each step of the way as you make your plans. But be sure, in the midst of the "road trip", to give your ALL today in serving the Lord, giving Him the "steering wheel" as HE guides and directs you into the future HE has planned for you. It is better than anything you could have come up with anyway!!!

The Venable Family

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Only Four Left

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