Delphine and Bryan Coupland ~ Our Family Journey: Christmas

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Christmas

Merry Christmas to you, a bit late, but with great affection. We are pleased to report that we have been enjoying a wonderful Christmas with many really good days for Mom. She has been able to join in on a few outings and even some trips to the store. This is no small feat in Michigan this time of year, with the snow and temperatures in the 20's. Even so, it's been good for her to stay as active as possible.
When Mom reacted so harshly to her 1st chemo treatment in November, it became clear that she could not continue with mainstream medical treatment. Since that time, Kelley & Dad, have been researching various nutritional therapies for cancer. Though Mom's appetite is still very low, we have incorporated the mantra, 'make every bite count' and are making careful choices in that regard. Dad has become an expert smoothie maker, packing each one with as many nutritious goodies as he can. We pray that God would continue to use this approach to provide Mom with more quality days. They have an exercise bicycle that they both manage to get on a few times a day to keep those muscles moving. The combination of medications she is currently on is controlling her pain well.
Their spirits have remained positive and their faith filled testimony of confidence and hope in the Lord, has been a powerful example to our entire family. Mom's nurse Susie stops in to check Mom over every few days. Susie is such a dear Christian lady, they end up fellowshipping and encouraging each other.

Christmas Day at Dan's House

We realize that some who read these updates are friends of some members of our family but may not know others. Here is a little overview.

Kelley (Coupland) & Todd Duston and family live 10 minutes from Mom & Dad. They are in fulltime ministry serving at the New Tribes Bible Institute in Jackson, MI.

Terry (Coupland) & Paul Calderwood and family live in Ada, MI

Dan & Kari Coupland and family live in Hillsdale, MI.

Thanks again for your continued love, support and prayers.We wish you all a Happy New Year and a blessed 2017!
~The Coupland Family

1 comment:

Neal and Carol RaetzJanuary 8, 2017 at 1:16 PM
Thanks Terri for the family pictures. We do not cross paths often and it is SO special to see you all again! Be assured you are all in our prayers regularly!
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Dear Friends

News update from the Couplands…

It seems like when we go through a serious trial in our lives, the Lord will often give us a verse or verses of Scripture that we can hold onto as our source of strength and hope. Early on, the Lord gave Del and I verses from 2 Chronicles 20 which were so comforting.

~Verse 12 – “For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

~Verse 15 – “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS BUT GOD’S.”

~Verse 17 – “You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf…”

Our dear wife, mother, grandmother, and now great grandmother, Del, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer. By the time it was accurately diagnosed, it was already stage IV. Del was not in the best physical condition when she had her first chemo on Nov. 9, and the chemo just dragged her down further. Our oncologist, who also treated my lymphoma 2 years ago, admitted her to Allegiance Hospital in Jackson, MI where for four days, she tried to build up Del’s condition with blood transfusions, and numerous IV’s. Since the cancer was beyond the point of being treated effectively, and Del could no longer tolerate the chemo, the only solution was ‘hospice care.’ This was an excruciating choice for the family, but it was beyond human control, and we wanted Del to be comfortable at all cost. As an aside, Del won the hearts of so many of the nurses and aides, and had different opportunities to talk to the medical staff about Jesus. Her oncologist was a dear lady and a believer, and the two of them really bonded.

We had the choice of Del going to Allegiance Hospice House or going home to our apartment and having Home Hospice Care, where they equip your residence with all the equipment you need including a hospital bed. Then a nurse is assigned to you along with a nurse’s aide; the nurse comes by two times a week to check on her condition, adjust her meds, and help with the medical decisions. The aide bathes the patient and meets the other physical needs. And the family loves on Del, provides the meals, and encouragement. I don’t know what we would do without our three kids and their spouses. We have formed a team and the Lord is leading us as our Head. We would appreciate your prayer that God would have His desired outcome and that He would be glorified in all things.

Thank you.