Thursday, December 4, 2008

Matthew's Scan Report

Dear Friends and Family,

We saw Matthew's doctor late yesterday afternoon to receive the results from the scan he had on Monday. Basically, the scan showed that the cancer is stable with low activity rate and some slight reduction in a few areas.

To help Matthew continue to build his weight and strength from being so sick a couple of weeks ago, the doctor wants to take Matthew off of 2 of the 3 meds he takes as part of his treatment until January. (The 2 he's coming off of are the culprits for his major side effects.) The one left (Avastin) is a very good drug that helps keep cancer stable and should have virtually no side effects. So he'll have a wonderful break through the end of the year.

Matthew had gained 7 pounds back yesterday - great news! He has been feeling pretty good this week, able to get out and hang out with friends, appetite returning. So, without chemo, his basic health situation should improve tremendously through the end of the year. (Boy, that's a paradox, isn't it?) Thank you for your continued prayers for Matthew and our family.

I got to go to choir rehearsal last night for the first time in awhile. Whew, what an uplift and blessing to my spirit! We're working on our Christmas music to sing each Sunday morning in December as well as a complete program on the 14th.

This is the first year in many that I am not directing - a bit of an adjustment. But this year God is giving me the cherished blessing of allowing me to add my voice to the many others who, up to now, I have directed. Along with the choir and a friend who is singing the part of Gabriel, I am singing the words of Mary's response to the angel sometimes referred to as The Magnificat.

Once Gabriel tells Mary of the task that God has for her does she say:
no, or let me think about it, or maybe someone else would be better prepared????

No, she humbly and courageously accepts God's task by responding:
(in the paraphrased words of the song)
My soul glorifies Your name, O God; My spirit rejoices in You.
My offering to You is my service, Lord. Let it be as You say.
My heart embraces Your gift of love;
My hands will nurture Your living Word;
I will be the earthly mother to Your holy Son;
Let it be as You say.

From the Fay Family: Merry Christmas to each of you, God bless you all and, hopefully, along with Mary, our hearts can embrace God's gift of love this season!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Dec. 1st Update for Matthew

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. We were blessed to have 13 members of our family and friends to share our Thanksgiving meal. The meal was prepared by our Sunday School class at our church which was a double blessing. Other dear friends brought special gifts of food to round out the meal. We were so humbled and uplifted by all the generosity and love displayed to us that day!! We praise the Lord for His goodness shown to us through these precious people.

Thank you for your prayers for Matthew over these past 3 weeks. It was very tough on him. The combination of the virus and chemo left him dehydrated, weak and with loss of weight as well. He had IV fluids along with additional meds a week before Thanksgiving to give him some help for recovery. He is feeling better now but has not regained his appetite. He is going for his Petscan today. We'll receive results Wednesday afternoon. I'll e-mail as soon as I can.

In the meantime his Dad also contracted the same dreaded virus and is just now recovering after 1 week's time. Thankfully, I just got the "Reader's Digest Version" of the virus. Mom's just can't get sick, right?

As we begin the month of December, let's challenge each other to smile and be especially kind in the midst of the hustle bustle where others may be rushed and agitated (and make us agitated, too!). This is the month we celebrate God's greatest gift to all of us, His son, Jesus Christ. He gave us His greatest gift. As the result of the love we know in Him, surely we can find small ways to give of ourselves to others at this glorious time of year. You never know how the smallest kind act will touch someone.

Love and blessings to all,
Nancy