Delphine and Bryan Coupland ~ Our Family Journey

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Dear Ones, April 11, 2017

When you go through a medical crisis, you soon realize that as wonderfully skilled and experienced as the doctors are, and as kind and compassionate as the nurses are, you are really in God’s hands. He is the One who brings healing and improvement in our body’s condition…or not. That being the case, it makes us realize all the more why “prayer” is so important. And it’s not that we are trying to argue with or manipulate God, but it’s to ask that He will have His way and that He will ultimately be glorified through our situation.

A couple of Bible verses come to mind along this line: Zechariah 4:6, “This is the word of the Lord…saying, ‘Not by mightnor by power, but by My Spirit’ says the Lord of hosts.” And also, Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”

Today (April 10) has been one of the busiest days of the last, few months. The high point is that it is Del’s 75^th birthday. We made it in time for her chemo appointment, and some of the nurses and staff came into the hallway as Del was going down to the lab to get her blood drawn, and they sang “Happy Birthday!” We met with Del’s oncologist and she would like Del to get a CT scan done next Monday (17^th). Once the doctor evaluates whether the chemo has been effective enough, she will decide whether the next step is a hysterectomy and lymph node removal, or more chemo. Del’s neuropathy (numbness and cold in the hands and feet) has just about reached the maximum point where the oncologist will say, “No more Taxol” which unfortunately is the chemo of choice for uterine cancer. If surgery is not the choice, then Del will begin a cycle of another chemo agent. On a lighter note, we brought birthday cupcakes to share with the office staff, and especially the nurses who have been so kind and caring with us over these months. In all the busyness of today, we still managed to go out to Cracker Barrel restaurant and have a nice birthday dinner.

Thank you for your interest in our journey and especially for your prayers. Your concern means so much to us.

Lovingly in Christ,

Bryan, for Del too

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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.