Delphine and Bryan Coupland ~ Our Family Journey

Monday, July 10, 2017

Hi dear folks,

One thing that Del and I have learned, having both gone through cancer and chemo, is that we don’t know a real lot about the whole area of “suffering.” The Lord does give us a few insights on the subject in His Holy Word the Bible, but beyond that, it appears to be an enormous subject that only an all-knowing God could fully understand. Here are a very few thoughts that Del and I have discussed on the subject over this past nine year journey:

· The Lord Jesus suffered excruciating pain on Calvary’s cross in the process of paying for our sin, and His comments, while he was nailed to the cross, primarily pertained to the needs of other people.

· When a Christian suffers, they actually “share the sufferings of Christ” [1 Peter 4:13].

· Jesus urges us to rejoice during these times. That obviously doesn’t mean that we should somehow try and drum up a laughing giddiness in the midst of serious illness. Since truejoy comes from abiding in Christ, we should rely on Him for our attitude [4:19].

· We are probably never so dependent on God as when we are struggling with a difficult medical condition. Our human nature tends to cause us to be independent and self-sufficient when everything is comfortable.

· The Lord does extra-ordinary things in our lives when we are in deep physical need…what Del and I call “His touches.” It helps us to recognize different aspects of Jesus’ personality. [“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings…” Phil. 3:10].

· So many people are worse off than we are; physically, emotionally, and especially spiritually.

· Other members of the Christian family become a part of the process of our suffering and become our “prayer companions.” As they praise God with us for the victories, great praise goes up to God from many sources. So, Jesus Christ is exalted and glorified…which as believers in Him is our ultimate goal.

Del had her last chemo on June 27 and the side-effects seem to intensify after each infusion. Over the July 4^thweekend, we had our annual Coupland-Duston-Calderwood family reunion at Lily Lake in central Michigan. The weather was perfect and it was great fun. Even our great-granddaughter, Alaina, was there. This coming week will be a lot more restful for Del as she prepares for her total hysterectomy surgery at Univ. of Michigan Hospital on Monday, July 17. We would be very grateful for your prayers that our heavenly Father would guide the surgical team led by Dr Karen McLean, and give them His discernment and wisdom. Thank you so much!

Affectionately,

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.