Counting Down...3 Rounds of Chemo to Go

Dear Friends and Family,

I apologize for not keeping you updated for a few weeks - life certainly got busy with the FCA golf tourney, our biggest fundraiser of the year, and just getting back to normal life after the wedding, etc.

Enough excuses - back to business - Mark is doing well - since the wedding he has gone through two more rounds of chemo which he tolerated pretty well and was also able to take the trip of lifetime to Laramie, WY to go antelope hunting! We praise the Lord that he was physically able to do this! Just to let you know how great this was, there are days when taking a walk in our neighborhood is difficult because of the heaviness in his gut from the surgery, etc. Out in Wyoming he walked for miles in a day and went hunting 3 days in a row! He LOVED being out in nature and getting away from it all and we are so thankful he was able to have this opportunity! And, oh, yes, he did get an antelope!

Mark's side effects are minimal and comparatively we have absolutely not complaints. He does have some trouble with taste and with cold - there are days when he doesn't feel like eating anything and he absolutely has to force food down. Thankfully it stays down and he has been able to keep his weight up.

I sometimes forget that there are those in similar circumstances who are not near as well off as we are - they are not able to work and are constantly sick. I forget that not all of you are around and do not know that Mark keeps a relatively normal schedule. It is not unusual at all to see him on the week of chemo show up at schools, meeting, etc with his chemo pump on. You can tell he's not feeling 100% but he's not giving in and he keeps going. One of the things he doesn't like about the week of chemo is that on Tuesday he is "stuck" at the cancer center waiting for them to do all they do to him so that he can take off! I know while he is at the cancer center he works on FCA business but he also visits with the other patients. I honestly think he looks around at all of the cancer patients and forgets that he is one as well! That's just the kind of attitude that he has has through this whole ordeal! We praise the Lord for the strength in body and in attitude that God has given him and realize that not everyone in this circumstance can say that. We are very blessed!

Please continue to pray for complete healing! In November when they are finished with the chemo they will re-scan and see what is going on inside. We look forward to good results!!

With much Gratitude,

Mark and Lee

John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your food works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Isaiah 41:31
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 147:1
Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.