June 27, 2006

Hello Everyone!

It's been awhile since the last update. I've decided to do monthly emails instead of every two weeks. If time has pasted and I have not sent an email I am probably busy or find it hard to write a letter at the time. I am working on a website for our family with a webpage for Gabriel's Update. We should have it up soon.
Anyway, with time quite a bit has happened. In previous emails I wrote about a few other children battling cancer. Christian, whose experiences with lymphoma gave me insight for my son, is now done with his Chemotherapy. (I have posted more about him on the webpage.)
Kayla received her bone marrow transplant and is doing well. Her grandmother was happier and I could see her spirit was lifted when I spoke to her Monday. (I attached a picture of Kayla’s grandmother and Adrielle.) Kayla still has her battles with high blood pressure, hospitalizations, personality changes (more mellow), but she’s doing better. Kayla mother is dealing with things a lot better now. Her family thanks all of you for your prayers. Her grandmother would like us to pray for a four month old who is in the hospital. The baby does not have any family and it is rumored the babies mother was on crack and was taken at birth. The baby has some sort of cancer, but staff can not give her any information. She would love to adopt the baby. Please keep the baby in your prayers.
Baby Elijah's cancer went into remission, how amazing! He has not had chemo since January because he has been sick, the doctors gave up on him and told his mother he was going to die and now they don't see ANY cancer cells. He has to get his kidneys flushed once a week, an effect from the chemo. One doctor wondered if they miss diagnosed him because AML M7 (the worst type of leukemia) does not just disappear. They are putting him in a news letter because they are amazed by him. ----What testimonies, miracles, and blessings! Elijah’s mother told, “If I have learned nothing else from Elijah, I have learned to pray.”
Gabriel started another intensive phase of chemo the week the baby was born. He has done very well with all he’s been pumped with. This week and last week he receives chemo four days in a row. He’s vomited a few times, appetite decreased (but not losing weight, Yay!), has been bothered, and sleepy. I believe last week was a lot for him. His behavior changed with him becoming pickier and wanting things now and how he wants it. With him turning two in a few months I have been trying to decide what is causing the change, most likely both.
As his testimony continues, my son is blessed. Many children get sicker or experience more hospitalizations. He has remained strong with HIM. I can’t say some days have not been harder for me seeing my son go through this without any indication or previous health problems. HE encouraged me with Sunday’s sermon on Kingdom Confidence. I was reminded of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and this week whenever I feel to wonder why or how this could be happening, I am encouraged with their story.
They were to be thrown in a furnace because they would not bow before an image of gold. The king was angry; ordering the fire be made seven times hotter. After falling in the furnace, HE joined them. Not only did HE join them, HE prevented the flames from harming not even a hair on their heads; HE unbound them and received the Glory. If HE had prevented them from being thrown in the fire I could not be encouraged by this story today.

My confidence; HE will encourage believers and unbelievers with my son’s testimony. Knowing HE accompanies Gabriel in this fire. Despite him receiving chemo’s like the “red devil,” what my friend Kim calls a chemo Gabriel receives, if it touches the skin it could burn it like acid. I believe HE will not allow the chemo to harm his body and Gabriel is healed. How can I believe this? The LORD’s life, death, and resurrection. HE did it all and as long as HE receives the Glory, Steven and I know our son belongs to him. And in the meantime:

“1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;” Psalms 121: 1-3

Thank you for your continued prayers. Please pray for my best friend whose grandfather was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and has surgery this week. For Zachary, the doctor’s will find out why he’s continued to have a cough for three months and he will be healed. For Jacob, the doctors will determine why he continues having blood in his urine and discern if he is having seizures. If there is anyone else needing prayer for anything, please email me. Prayer is Powerful!


Angela

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