Ron's May 27 Email...
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If you haven't heard by now, we got some not-so-great news about
Beccee's health recently. Beccee has had a hard time breathing since
around Easter, maybe earlier. We thought it was asthma. Inhalers
were only helping a little and she went to the doctor last Friday for
another look. The doctor sent her to get a chest x-ray and found a
"mass". Beccee immediately got on the phone with some of her friends
she has made through her charity work over the years and through the
grace of God, arrangements were made for her to get a CT scan the same
afternoon. The doctor met with us on Sunday morning to review the
scans. Dr. Neuman did not want to speculate too much, but gave us a
rundown of what it might be. Beccee was then scheduled for a
Bronchioscope(sp?) yesterday morning. Dr. Neuman said the inside of
the bronchial tubes looked normal. She tried to take samples for
biopsies, but admitted that she was going blind through the bronchial
tube with a small needle and didn't know if she would get any answers
from the test. As of this moment, we are still waiting on results of
the biopsies. Dr. Neuman did indicate yesterday that given the
information we have, and the fact that the bronchial tube looked
normal, the chances of the mass being TB, Vasculitis or some sort of
Fungus went way down the list. She stated that the facts point to a
90% chance of the mass being cancerous and she asked if she could
refer us to an Oncologist.
We heard this afternoon that the results of yesterday's biopsy are
negative, however, the doctor is not satisfied with those results. We
have a meeting scheduled with another doctor for Thursday afternoon
and we hope to be doing a second procedure for another biopsy where
they will get a better sample in the next day or two.
As of right now, we don't know for certain what the mass is. We (and
about a thousand people I know of) continue to pray that it will turn
out to be something insignificant.
Beccee is doing unbelievably well. Whatever the opposite of
devastated is, that's what she is. She is incredibly calm and totally
ready to deal with whatever the doctors find and whatever is going to
happen next. She says that since we went to church Saturday night and
she was anointed with oil and had hands laid on her, that angels have
been hovering around her. I believe her. When she came back to her
hospital room yesterday - still drugged up and having just had a tube
pulled out of her nose - she looked more beautiful than I can ever
remember. And I don't mean "all things considered" beautiful. I mean
it was literally like looking at the face of an angel. She is the
strongest person I know and this news seems to be making her stronger.
Emma and Millie are doing great. We have not told them anything other
than that Mommy has bad asthma, because a few days ago, that's what it
was. We really want to know what is going on before deciding on what
or when to tell them.
The outpouring of love, support and prayers has been amazing. I can't
thank you all enough. It's also encouraging to hear that prayers are
coming from people I never would have guessed would be praying (I'm
probably on that list for some of you). So, if you're comfortable
praying, please continue to do so. And if you're not so comfortably,
please do it anyway.
Our pastor picked out a great Psalm for us today which seemed
appropriate. It is copied below.
Ron
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Psalm 34
I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.
I live and breathe God;
if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy:
Join me in spreading the news;
together let's get the word out.
God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.
Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.
When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.
God's angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.
Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.
Come, children, listen closely;
I'll give you a lesson in God worship.
Who out there has a lust for life?
Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?
Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.
Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don't let it get away!
God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.
God won't put up with rebels;
he'll cull them from the pack.
Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.
If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;
if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.
Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.
He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.
The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.
God pays for each slave's freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.
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