Tuesday, September 29, 2015

One step at a time


      We have gotten through some really rough seasons taking one day or one step at a time.  Sometimes it feels foolish, not to plan more for the hundred ways this all could go.   But then something hits that makes me grateful that is the way we have walked.  One foot in front of the other, believing that God goes before us and stands behind us.
     After 48 hours in the hospital and one happy visit from the boys Jeff's body started tot fight an infection.  His fever went up to 104 f and his heart rate increased at times to 140.  His oxygen levels dropped, and the doctors tried desperately to find
 the origin of the infection and the right antibiotic to combat it.  My mom arrived and stayed with the boys and I stayed with Jeff as a steady stream of doctors and nurses checked his vitals and explained what they could.  24 hours in, the fever had not broken and they were on the last antibiotic they  could give.  I let his parents know to come as quickly as they could.  I sent out desperate pleas to close friends to pray.  And as his parents were in the air I didn't know what I would be telling them once they landed.  Night two, the antibiotics started to work.  It was a slow climb up.  Our oncologist explained gently that he would continue with the five radio therapy treatments but that it was time to stop all other treatment.  That the chemotherapy and Herceptin had stopped working long before.  That the cancer in the spine had been growing when the last scan had shown the cancer was stable.  Easy to miss when you are not expecting it, and when it is certainly not the norm.  Another hard decision, another hard step.  We explained we wanted to get Jeff home, to see friends and family and see those blue ridge mountains.  He promised he would do what he could to get us there.  When we had to cancel the Majorca tickets we had to exchange our tickets within 24 hours or risk losing all of the money.  I switched the tickets to October 3rd with return tickets October 23rd not knowing if we would even be able to keep them.  
The five day radio therapy stay turned into a ten day stay.  The grandmas tag teamed tearful boys and a lively puppy.  And after ten days I brought home a very frail and weak Jeff.  We were so ready to have him home but afraid of what being home would look like.  The doctors and nurses in Ward 32 had become a close knit support team.  Their compassion and teamwork helped get us through some dark nights.  We spent many a night praying for the patients that filled the rooms surrounding us.  And we saw for the first time how quickly things can change at this stage in the game.  
     Jeff has been home for one week now.  Far from the man that first walked slowly into the house last Monday.  We have walked each morning and evening.  He has been fed his mama's cooking to make up for the lost pounds in the hospital.  The boys took turns taking a day off from school to have a daddy day.  Our hope is to all catch a plane to the USA on the 3rd of October and we are still holding out hope we could come back to Scotland three weeks later.  We know that seems ridiculous and impossible right now but we have already lived out some ridiculous and impossible things this season.  We don't feel our time here is up or that Jeff's story is over.  So many things have happened that indicate that this is all so much bigger than us and our little family.  It is bigger than Ward 32 or all of Dundee and Fife.   We have experienced prayers of faith, friends with words of truth and hope, and lives being drawn to the one who made them.  We don't feel wise enough to fully understand these things, but feel it being stretched far from just our hearts changing.  Our good friend and former pastor came to Scotland for 48 hours just to pray for Jeff and share what he felt the Lord was doing. Humility and a willingness to follow when the path doesn't make sense.  What a gift it was to talk, cry, and pray with him.  We find ourselves in waters too deep to fully understand.  We find ourselves praying for healing in Jeff, for healing in Scotland- that somehow through this the Lord himself would sing to those far off.  And brokenness would be restored.
     Yesterday, following another viewing of Chronicles of Narnia, Jeff explained to Luke the difference between D Day and V Day.  The difference between Christ's victory on the cross, and his return and restoration.  Luke with open ears and an anxious heart, began to find peace in the fact that the decisive blow of victory has already been won.  For all things.  In the midst of waters too deep, we too are finding peace and trust here one step at a time.
     We will be arriving In Virginia October 4th.  We are staying on a beautiful farm near Charlottesville,VA and UVA Hospital.  So far all the many small details are coming together.  Much love, Team Stables

22 comments:

  1. We continue to pray for your family. Thank you for taking time to update what's going on. "Oh Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants." Nehemiah 1:5-6

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  2. We kneel beside you in prayers. The Word of God says "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rest in the Lord." While the battle rages we kneel beside you to fight. Love and prayers!

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  3. May you be blessed... Thoughts and prayers

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  4. May you be blessed... Thoughts and prayers

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  5. Praying, Praying, & Praying some more

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  6. Becca and Jeff...Praying in advance for your flight plans, trip home and your time at the farm in Charlottesville. We find strength in your words, Becca, and in the knowledge that you and Jeff are continuing to persevere in spite of the setbacks and to trust God day by day for his provision for every need and detail. We join with so many praying friends and family who are continually lifting you and Jeff and your boys up to Him who we know is able to do more than we ask or think. We love you!

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  7. Again, Becca, a beautiful blog. So very personal and real. God has been with you all through so much. We are so excited for God's provision for the place in Charlottesville. Our God is an amazing God. We are praying for traveling mercies. We love you and continue our prayers always. Much love, Aunt Pat & Uncle Phil

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  8. Thank you for sharing such personal parts of your journey. I pray for continued peace in the midst of what is not peaceful, and that your time in VA is restorative to you all. Xoxo

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  9. We Are with you and family all the way ! Have a safe trip home and with the protection of God's Arms around you all...........Love A. Lois K. Family

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  10. The Cores send their prayers for you all.
    Brett and Jenny

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  11. Becca our love and prayers are with you all, have a safe trip home, thankyou for bringing so much love and light to Fife. You are such a beautiful family, you light up the lives of so many people, we have all been blessed by your family being here, may Jesus take you all by the hand to the Blue Mountains and wrap his love around you. Love always Jul Chris Luke Josh and Em xxxx

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  12. The Lord is still in the business of Healing as He has in the past. Lord take the Cancer from my brother in Christ and he will be fully be restored. Amen

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  13. The Lord is still in the business of Healing as He has in the past. Lord take the Cancer from my brother in Christ and he will be fully be restored. Amen

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  14. Prayers of God's words of healing to be fulfilled in Jeff and for joy, peace and the promise of "long life" from Psalm 91 to be fulfilled. We stand in agreement to ask for healing, in Jesus' name. (Isaiah 53:4-5) Amen

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  15. Continuing to pray with you and your sweet family! Claiming and believing in God's goodness and His redemptive plan for each of you. May the Lord bring complete healing, and may you feel His nearness today. Love and blessings! Jenny Slattery

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  16. Becca, I had just received an email from Carol Sweeny, my Grandson's Young Life leader here at Chancellor High School, containing this blog information. Imagine my surprise when I went to my Hospice Support group for spouses who have lost a spouse or partner (my wife died in May), and heard a lady who had lost her huband in December telling your story, and how she had just returned from Scotland. I asked her if this was about a Young Life couple in Scotland that had just come back and the Husband was getting treatment at UVA. She looked surprised and asked me if I knew about you. What a small world. My Grandson's Young Life group will be praying for you guys, as will I. God bless you, and give you strength. Mike Casey

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  17. Becca, I had just received an email from Carol Sweeny, my Grandson's Young Life leader here at Chancellor High School, containing this blog information. Imagine my surprise when I went to my Hospice Support group for spouses who have lost a spouse or partner (my wife died in May), and heard a lady who had lost her huband in December telling your story, and how she had just returned from Scotland. I asked her if this was about a Young Life couple in Scotland that had just come back and the Husband was getting treatment at UVA. She looked surprised and asked me if I knew about you. What a small world. My Grandson's Young Life group will be praying for you guys, as will I. God bless you, and give you strength. Mike Casey

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  18. Team Stables, I am a friend of Chris Nichols here in Thomasville, Ga. You all have been on my prayer list since Chris shared that Jeff had cancer. It is wonderful to hear of the updates of Jeff and of the determination and strength that goes with faith in God and His plan! I continue to pray for Gods' will in the journey he has your entire family on. May it continue to pull you closer together in faith and in love. May Gods' peace bless you all throughout this journey. Bill Wilhelm

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  19. Becca, you have my heartfelt condolences over the loss of Jeff. I emailed your Mom, as she is in one of the support groups I am in here in Fredericksburg. You all will be in my prayers.

    Mike Casey

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