Louie and Marianne went in to see the oncologist this past Tuesday
and so we have another update for all of you. Louie's blood pressure is
good, he hasn't lost any weight and on top of that his blood counts are
normal!
Last time I posted we asked that you pray specifically that the insurance company would approve the medication for the Her 2 mutation. Unfortunately it was not approved but with God there is always a way! The Oncologist told Louie that he is going to add it to his treatment anyways because it is the right thing to do, how awesome! The doctor has decided to appeal the insurance company and send a request to the drug manufacturer on their behalf. After filling out tons of paperwork the doctor let them know that he is going to do absolutely everything he can to take care of them. He assured them that he will fight the insurance company and take legal action if necessary (according to one of his staff members he has taken on and sued insurance companies often and won). He is a wonderfully devoted doctor! We ask that you all unite with us in agreement that God has already given Louie and Marianne victory over this!
The doctor went on to tell them about 2 other cases where this medication was used successfully for the same type of cancer and in both cases they achieved complete remission. Let's pray the same outcome for Louie in his fight! The doctor is determined to press on, he ordered the additional chemo from the pharmacy, Louie and Marianne are joining the doctor and stepping out in faith.
This specific medication the doctor would like Louie to use is extremely expensive. The loading dose is $3,450.00 and then it costs $1,750.00/week (Louie will be on the medication now through radiation). Louie also has a seven day infusion coming up. I am sure we can all imagine how overwhelming and shocking the price on the medication had to have been to Louie and Marianne! In the moments following receiving this news Louie looked at Marianne and said "God heals for free! He already paid the price!" What an amazing way of facing yet another roadblock in this crazy road to recovery!
After seeing the Oncologist Louie had his chemo and they were informed that they no longer have to make their co-pay each visit, praise God! They spent 10 1/2 hours at the cancer center and were exhausted after a very long day. When Louie and Marianne arrived home they were greeted by 10 of their friends and family members from church. Even though they were extremely tired God knew that it was the perfect time. They were blessed with flowers, food, chocolate cream pie (Louie's favorite!) and gift cards! They also took them time to minister to Louie and Marianne and sing a beautiful song called "I am the God That Healeth Thee" over them.
Please continue to join us in prayer and thank you to all of you for the constant love and support!
Friday, June 28, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Dare to believe!
Hello again! It's been awhile!
The benefit dinner for Louie has now come and gone and it was a huge success! There was a wonderful turnout, the food was fabulous and the entertainment was so much fun. The audience even convinced Louie to play the drums! Marianne and Louie want to thank everyone for attending and for all of the hard work that went into making it happen. They definitely felt the love (and the heat...it was 109 degrees!!!)
My family and I were beyond blessed to be able to fly out from our home in Kansas to attend. Liam and Kaili loved the time they were able to spend with Grammi and Papa (Marianne and Louie) and Liam is still talking about having big muscles like Papa! We were able to get our In n Out craving taken care of and even went to the zoo as well, it was a great time!
Louie and Marianne saw the oncologist again this past Tuesday and got an update. Louie has only lost 3 lbs total since being diagnosed, his blood pressure is still good and he has only had a few side effects (blisters on his lip, bloody noses, fatigue and nausea) which are all normal reactions to the chemo. The doctor explained that Louie will have one more chemo cycle which will begin next week (lasting 2 weeks) and then he will have a week off to rest. Immediately after that he will begin radiation along with a low dose of chemo for 6-8 weeks.
The cancer is still localized in his neck (at the surgical sight) as well as in level 5 where the 1 cancerous node was removed. The doctor is doing everything he can to reduce the risk of recurrance, he even down graded the cancer from stage 4 to stage 3, praise God!!!!
The oncologist performed some extra tests on Louie and he did test a strong positive for Her 2 mutation. This has the potential to promote the growth of the cancer cells so Louie and Marianne have applied for approval for a chemo drug that could help. Please join them in praying that the insurance company will approve the medication and that it will be effective! This drug is currently approved for breast cancer and esphogal cancer so we are praying that it will also be approved for parotid gland cancer so that Louie can be one of the first to use it! In Jesus name we will all join in believing that God will take care of this mutation whether it be through this medication or some other way. With God there is always a way!
Louie is continuing to take it easy which allows him time to pray, thank God, study his Bible, minister and fellowship with others and enjoy sitting in the Lord's presence. Louie and Marianne want everyone to know that everything isn't perfect but even in the most difficult times God is faithful. They know that as they go through this trial they need to stand, declare and dare to believe all that God has for them! They will not allow their faith to be weakened, they know that God is ever present and that there is something for them to gain through this battle with cancer. They have decided that they will not sit home and let cancer become a prison, they will instead be fruitful, help others and continue to lean on the promises of God! I think we could all benefit from that kind of attitude, no matter what our circumstances, don't you?
Here is a verse from Louie and Marianne for you to ponder today:
Just as Paul considered it a privilege to suffer for Christ so does Louie. This is hard to wrap our heads around because we do not by nature consider suffering a privilege. Yet, when we suffer illness, hardships, family problems, loss of loved ones, etc.. if we chose to faithfully represent Christ, our message and example affect not only us but others for good. It takes our eyes off of earthly comforts, strengthens the faith of those who endure, and it unites believers to pray and fight the enemy for a Godly cause! We will tell the world that the gospel is true by living this out!
As a final encouragement to you, Louie and Marianne are choosing to take God at His Word and they would like to dare you to believe the same in your own life. What God has done and continues to do for Louie, He WILL do for you!
Keep on praying!
-Sara
The benefit dinner for Louie has now come and gone and it was a huge success! There was a wonderful turnout, the food was fabulous and the entertainment was so much fun. The audience even convinced Louie to play the drums! Marianne and Louie want to thank everyone for attending and for all of the hard work that went into making it happen. They definitely felt the love (and the heat...it was 109 degrees!!!)
My family and I were beyond blessed to be able to fly out from our home in Kansas to attend. Liam and Kaili loved the time they were able to spend with Grammi and Papa (Marianne and Louie) and Liam is still talking about having big muscles like Papa! We were able to get our In n Out craving taken care of and even went to the zoo as well, it was a great time!
Louie and Marianne saw the oncologist again this past Tuesday and got an update. Louie has only lost 3 lbs total since being diagnosed, his blood pressure is still good and he has only had a few side effects (blisters on his lip, bloody noses, fatigue and nausea) which are all normal reactions to the chemo. The doctor explained that Louie will have one more chemo cycle which will begin next week (lasting 2 weeks) and then he will have a week off to rest. Immediately after that he will begin radiation along with a low dose of chemo for 6-8 weeks.
The cancer is still localized in his neck (at the surgical sight) as well as in level 5 where the 1 cancerous node was removed. The doctor is doing everything he can to reduce the risk of recurrance, he even down graded the cancer from stage 4 to stage 3, praise God!!!!
The oncologist performed some extra tests on Louie and he did test a strong positive for Her 2 mutation. This has the potential to promote the growth of the cancer cells so Louie and Marianne have applied for approval for a chemo drug that could help. Please join them in praying that the insurance company will approve the medication and that it will be effective! This drug is currently approved for breast cancer and esphogal cancer so we are praying that it will also be approved for parotid gland cancer so that Louie can be one of the first to use it! In Jesus name we will all join in believing that God will take care of this mutation whether it be through this medication or some other way. With God there is always a way!
Louie is continuing to take it easy which allows him time to pray, thank God, study his Bible, minister and fellowship with others and enjoy sitting in the Lord's presence. Louie and Marianne want everyone to know that everything isn't perfect but even in the most difficult times God is faithful. They know that as they go through this trial they need to stand, declare and dare to believe all that God has for them! They will not allow their faith to be weakened, they know that God is ever present and that there is something for them to gain through this battle with cancer. They have decided that they will not sit home and let cancer become a prison, they will instead be fruitful, help others and continue to lean on the promises of God! I think we could all benefit from that kind of attitude, no matter what our circumstances, don't you?
Here is a verse from Louie and Marianne for you to ponder today:
Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe
on him, but also to suffer for him.
Just as Paul considered it a privilege to suffer for Christ so does Louie. This is hard to wrap our heads around because we do not by nature consider suffering a privilege. Yet, when we suffer illness, hardships, family problems, loss of loved ones, etc.. if we chose to faithfully represent Christ, our message and example affect not only us but others for good. It takes our eyes off of earthly comforts, strengthens the faith of those who endure, and it unites believers to pray and fight the enemy for a Godly cause! We will tell the world that the gospel is true by living this out!
As a final encouragement to you, Louie and Marianne are choosing to take God at His Word and they would like to dare you to believe the same in your own life. What God has done and continues to do for Louie, He WILL do for you!
Keep on praying!
-Sara
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