Requesting your prayers

Hi All,

        I thought I would just give you a brief update on today, and especially ask you to be praying tomorrow. In order to receive the modified (decreased) amount of chemo tomorrow, Del needs either a port or a PICC line which is much simpler. The oncologist thought the latter was the best choice for now, so she went into Henry Ford Allegiance hospital in Jackson today and had the line put into a blood vessel in her upper arm. The port would require an actual surgery whereas she wasn’t even put to sleep for the PICC line.

        Tomorrow at 10:00 AM, Del will have an infusion of Taxol chemo—about 60% of the amount she had back in November. If she tolerates it well, then she will have a second dose on February 3 and a third dose on the 10^th of Feb. We would ask for your prayers tomorrow that if it would please the Lord, that Del would do well and not have such strong side effects that they have to discontinue the process. We will keep you posted.

        Thanks so much!

                         Bryan, for Del too

UPDATE!

Hello All,

        This past month has presented many twists and turns in our family journey. The Lord Jesus keeps encouraging us that although we can’t see Him with our eyes, we can sense His presence with our hearts. I read such an encouraging verse the other day where Isaiah stated it so well: “Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who longfor Him (30:18).” It sounds like the Lord wants us to long for Him and Him for us.

        As you remember, Del had her first of a series of chemo treatments and ended up having to spend 5 days in the hospital to be built up physically. Since she was so run down, her oncologist felt she could not tolerate another round of chemo, so she recommended hospice care. The family agreed that she should come home, so we arranged for Home Hospice Care to come in, and with our kids’ help, managed to get all the jobs and needs taken care of. So Del has been here at our Jackson, MI apartment since mid-November. The awesome thing is that as we have moved into the new year, Del has been feeling brighter with a slight increase in energy. She had an appointment with her oncologist on Jan. 5, and to our surprise, the doctor said that since Del was feeling a little better, she could consider returning to weekly chemo treatments at a reduced amount. It would mean coming off hospice, since the focus of hospice is “comfort” and not “treatment.” We prayed about it over the weekend and discussed it with our kids and their spouses. We felt that if Del was going to go with further treatments, we needed to get on with it.

        Del has an appointment with her oncologist on Jan. 25 and it’s likely that she will start on a modified (decreased) amount of chemo at that time. If she tolerates it well, then she will continue the treatments each week. As always, the outcome is entirely in the Lord Jesus’ very capable hands and our confidence and peace rest in His promises like Isaiah 41:10 and Proverbs 3:5, 6. Thank you so much for continuing to pray with us.

               Lovingly,

                       Bryan and Del

HAPPY NEW YEAR

  2016 is now history and 2017 is a fresh slate. It’s sure comforting to know that if we choose to abide in Jesus, everything that touches our lives is under His direct leadership—even if it is something we don’t see coming. Proverbs 16:9 says it best, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

     As you may recall, on October 25, Del was diagnosed with stage 4 uterine cancer. It was a traumatic day in our lives. We were left in shock, but slowly the reality of the situation has settled in and we are learning to live with it. Del seems to be holding her own these days. Her energy level isn’t up to par, but we try to either get out for a short walk every day or go for a little shop and walk at Walmart. The chemo treatment she had on November 7 seems to have affected her taste buds, so things just don’t taste like they used to. She has lost all her hair and about 20 pounds. We are so thankful that she is not experiencing any pain or nausea. She does have severe neuropathy in her hands and feet from the chemo, which causes her fingers to be numb and very cold most of the time.


Over Christmas, we enjoyed plenty of time with our family . Now that some of our oldest grandchildren are working away from home, our family is divided between Wisconsin and Michigan. So, rather than having a meal together and exchanging gifts on the 25^th,  we do it when we can—this year it was on the 30^th.

Mom & Kelley working in the kitchen on New Years Eve

Our New Years Eve was extra exciting, with the engagement of Kelley & Todd's daughter Anna to Tyson Estelle. We are thrilled for them and look forward to seeing all that God had in store.

Anna & Tyson

       I came across a very meaningful devotional this morning that really brings “real life” into the right perspective. It’s written by Toni Smothers atwww.writingforthemaster.com and it’s about what is truly important in our daily lives:

        “Each day we face challenges, whether it be traffic jams, rebellious children, a seemingly endless pile of work at the office, or illness, or any myriad of things that tax our ability to cope. We can sometimes feel like we are falling behind, like we are just not fast enough, or good enough, or smart enough. It would be prudent then, to stop and see a different, more joyful perspective on our lives.

Instead of wondering how you will catch up with the specific demands on your life, slow down and realize that getting every last thing done doesn’t make your heart any lighter. Thinking about the blessings surrounding your day can begin to show you what is and what just isn’t that important.

        The love of your heavenly Father, your cherished family, friends, and the simple fun you find in each day all conspire to make life great. These are the truly important things. And while it’s true that we will all die someday, as believers, we are also destined for the throne—joint heirs with Jesus Christ, our Savior and Friend. So, try spending much more time resting in simple gratitude [to the Lord].”

     We have so much to thank the Lord for.  May the Lord Jesus thrill your heart in this new year with His gracious promises.

               Lovingly,

                       Bryan and Del Coupland