March 8, 2010

What a rough weekend. Dad was in the ER for the afternoon on Sunday. He's been fighting a fever since Thursday and on Sunday started complaining that his lungs hurt. Let me tell you. Scary! My mother had a sister's weekend at their house with a whole bunch of ladies and little girls. My aunt Jean was also not feeling well and had to be brought to the emergency room by ambulance. She wasn't breathing on her own and her skin was turning blue. I didn't even know that could happen to adults. So we bounced from the ER with Dad to the ICU checking up both of them. The entire family is on edge with fear. 

A friend blogged that God doesn't want us to be anxious. I read that and I thought to myself, how can I not be anxious when every day I worry that today could be the day that Dad's health starts to decline to the point where he gives up. Scary! God I pray that you take the anxiety and fear from my heart and the hearts of my family. My aunt did manage to wake up today but she isn't able to breath on her own still- so she is extremely frustrated because she wants to just rip that tube out of her throat. The doctors do not know if she will be able to breathe on her own if they take the tube out. Scary! They want to keep the tube in three days. She is scared.

Dad had his follow up scan today to see how his cancer is progressing or dissipating. We don't get the results until Friday. As is in my nature, I will worry that I am not righteous enough for God to hear and answer my prayers and that He will take my father home. Scary! I can't let my Dad see that. I have to put on a mask of strength. I don't know how long I can maintain the facade of strength. 

Today I think I will pray that God will take the fear from me and my family. I will continue to pray that He will heal my father and my aunt. I will pray that He will maintain me with the strength, courage, and wisdom that can be attained only through His Holy Spirit. 

Heavenly Father- thank you for the blessings you have poured into my life. Thank you for a loving family! Thank you that we fight and make up and grow together so that we can be there for each other when ever we are needed. Father I lift my prayers to you that You will guide me by Your Will to remove the fear within my heart. Today I want to give control over to You who controls all the world and Heaven. I pray to You, Oh Lord, that You will HEAL my father- that You the Great Physician would reach into his body and strip away all the cancer that remains within him. I pray that you HEAL my Aunt's lungs and help her breathe. Lord, I pray that You bless us with Your Holy Spirit that we will be renewed in strength, courage, wisdom and all of the fruits of Your Spirit. I pour out these requests to You Lord in the name of the most high, Jesus Christ. Amen

March 1, 2010

It has been a very long time since my last update. It's been crazy. Dad is doing well. Best news to date.. he finished his first full cycle of chemo. He was very happy that it was over. Next up, he needs to get a new scan to see how things are going and determine if preventative radiation is the right choice for him. He is VERY worried about radiation. There are so many horror stories out there of how it makes people worse than the cancer itself. He is really dreading it. BUT.. we are all collectively encouraging him to do what it takes to beat this nasty disease!!!!

Dad has been able to do a couple of REALLY awesome activities since my last post. Uncle Russ and his connection with Gillette Stadium were able to arrange a very special visit. Dad got to go to the Stadium and walk out onto the 50 yard line. Up on the big screen they wrote out- "The Patriots welcome Stephen Bradley to Gillette Stadium". They spelled his name wrong but I can tell you his SMILE beamed from him to light up the whole place! Dad loves- loves- loves the New England Patriots so this was a HUGE milestone for him. Then.. we are out there taking pictures and having a grand old time and who walks out onto the field... ANDRE TIPPETT- Dad's all time favorite linebacker!!! It was so amazing. Dad was super blessed.. and it was all by chance that he came out to the field. The woman that let us in saw Dad was wearing Tippett's jersey and had him come down to meet dad. The New England Patriots truly care about their fans and we can testify to that! We were able to visit with him for quite a while and then on our way out Dad was invited back for the grand opening ofthe Pro Football and the American Spirit at Patriot's Place on Saturday Feb 27th! He got to meet and get autographs of Robert Kraft, Gino Cappelletti, Tom Yewcic & Butch Mahoney. He also got to meet and get autographs of 4 of the New England Patriot cheerleaders. yes.. he was absolutely thrilled!!

We still have a long road ahead of us. We aren't losing sight of that but it's important to celebrate the blessings along the way. As a family we are all preparing to take part in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Rochester- my mother has a team (Team Francois) and Wendy and I started a new team this year (Grace for a Cure). We are showing our support of Dad and others that have beaten this disease, struggling through it, and have been lost to it. We are praying mightily that a cure is found and for Dad to be healed. May God have grace and mercy on our supplications to He who is ALMIGHTY and POWERFUL!  Please join me in prayer today- for Dad and all those that are struggling through the mess that is cancer!

Heavenly Father - THANK YOU for the blessings that you have given Dad this last month! Thank you for the joy that you have blessed his heart with. Lord God, I come to you today asking that you reach out to the physicians of the world that you miraculously give them direction to find new medicines, new treatments, and a cure for cancer lord. I pray that through your omnipotence your will would be to heal so many - to bring You all the Glory lord. Father my heart looks to you and I ask that you hear and answer my prayers. I am lost without your love and mercy God. I pray for my father. I pray for healing. I pray for a cure. I pray for joy and hope. I lift your name on high Lord. Father, I send this prayer to you in the name of your holy son, Jesus Christ. Amen