Thursday, September 07, 2006

I guess we were in for a little suprise again today. After Ramona and I were outside we came back to the ward for what we thought would be a little surgery to remove potential infection from the site of her biopsy wound. It turns out that they put her under for surgery, but on the bright side they found little/no infection...what may cause pain in the wound is that the tumor is dying and the dead cells in the middle of the tumor have no where to go...essentially what this little surgery did was make the wound bigger and raw again so that it can heal faster...a dying tumor i would say is a 'good' reason for pain...I haven't talked to Dr. Wong alot since we heard about the CT Scans...Ramona's day nurse-Michelle- told us that Dr. Wong was starting to mention the idea of surgery...this is quite something from the doctor who said this was incurable and that surgery was not an option unless they thought they could get everything....praise God...I'm going to go get some sleep...earl

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi guys!!!
We are just flying high over here with all your exciting news. Ramona, you have come so far. You maybe feeling really horrible today with all the chemo, but don't forget what God has been saying to you all this time. Cling to Jesus and He will take you through all of this.
Earl, we were thinking that to celebrate - we could somehow rig up fireworks so Ramona could see it out her bedroom window. If you have an idea of how to do it legally and safely - let us know and we are in, if not maybe we will have to bring the lights show to the country when Ramona gets out!!
again we are so excited for you guys.
lots of love, Chuck and Laura Thiessen
proverbs 3:5-8 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Fear the Lord and shun evil, this will bring health to your body and nourshiment to your soul. (These verse have been especially meaningful to me this past month - as my health took us away from what we felt the Lord had for us. Sometimes things happen that just doesn't make sense. Like suffering. that is a concept that on one side doesn't make sense. I like these verses cause I felt like God was asking me to lean not on my own understanding, to trust in Him and acknowledge Him in all ways and that He would make my paths straight. Hope it encourages you somehow today too.

Anonymous said...

Hey Earl and Moni,
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How GREAT is our God............ The heart rate over here has definitely picked up since we read the latest news!! Some crying, cheering, hugging etc.. this is the best news you guys have heard in awhile, eh??!!
Seeing you guys last wkd was so totally inspiring and refreshing and also heart wrenching, I guess seeing first hand the reality of your trial. Seeing the courage in your eyes and the obvious love that you so deeply share was moving. Your determination to LIVE and stay the course, living for and believing in God left me with a lot of deep thoughts, deep respect, deep longing for both of you. Seeing so clearly that it isn't an easy road for you or your families.
Ramona it was so awesome to hear you share about how God has only made your passion stronger and refined and broadened your dreams in regards to your calling/missions, the intense desire you have to tell your (His) story. That song on Sunday so expressed what you had been explaining to me as your heart's cry "...and I would give the world to tell Your story, cuz I know that you've called me. I've lost myself for good within your promise and I won't hide it, I won't hide it... Jesus, I believe in you and I would go, to the ends of the earth, to the ends of the earth, for you alone are the Son of God and all the world will see that you are God, THAT YOU ARE GOD.." Ever since you told me about all this I have been praying that God would allow you and Earl that great privilege to be able to pursue those dreams He has placed in your hearts for advancing His kingdom, in ways beyond your imagination. I know you guys were sold out before and now I mean, with the focus you have, it's powerful to witness... can only imagine what God could do...
We are praying for God to continue the miracle that is already set in motion... FOR HIS GREAT GLORY. FOR HIS FAME. FOR MANY TO KNOW WHO HE IS AND TO TURN AND WORSHIP HIM ALONE.
With great hope on your behalf,
Christy

Anonymous said...

What fantastic news!!! We are so happy for you! Hopefully that wound will heal now and that will be one less thing for you to worry about. I know that you have been hoping that surgery would become an option for Ramona. It's wild to think that it could be happening soon! Yay God!

We are still praying, and will be until the Lord directs us to stop (I doubt that will happen anytime soon!). I hope you have a restful day and that chemo is a little easier this time around. Take care.

Love, Michele (Jobina's sister)

Anonymous said...

AWESOME,
HOPE THINGS WILL KEEP ON GETTING BETTER.
STILL WITH YOU IN OUR MINDS

Anonymous said...

so excited once again for some good news Thank You God for hearing everyones prayers You guys and the suprises WoW it must be kinda a roller coaster of a week But it sounds like a fun ride this week with good news at every corner.

Anonymous said...

Hey Earl and Ramona!

We are praising God with you in all that He is doing in your lives and are over joyed to hear the good news that the tumor's are shrinking and even dying! Wow!!Hearing that surgery is also a possibility is very exciting!!

I've been studying Prayer Precepts and you guys have been in my mind as well in my prayers. I believe God has a great purpose in mind for you and many of us have already seen His faithfulness in your lives! There are a number of verses that have been on my heart to share with you that talk about our faith and belief in an awesome God as we come before Him in prayer and thanksgiving: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition(supplication) with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Phillipians 4:6&7(NIV). "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" Romans 8:26 (KJ). Mark 11:23&24 (NIV)says "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe(!) that you have received it, and it will be yours." This is internalized faith, believing that God has already answered and heard our prayers."And it shall come to pass, that before they call I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24(KJ)God knows our deepest longings may we that are interceding in prayer believe and understand the victory-breakthrough that there is in Christ as we petition with God and grow in our faith in Him! "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you!"(NIV) AMEN!!

Hope these verses can be an encouragement to you. May God's will be done and may He continue to give you His strength and healing!

Love and many blessings,
Aunt Jeannette

Anonymous said...

Hey guys-
So glad to hear that the wound isn't infected too bad as that would have been a setback obviously - God is so good - and our tongue in cheek comments about the wound originally getting bigger b/c the tumor was shrinking turned out to be true, eh? Yay God! :)
Mandy

Anonymous said...

Dear Ramona,

I had just heard of what you were going through today from Lori Petkau by some some mere coincidence at "Uncle Jakes" restaraunt (did I spell that right?).
Just so you know, I had a somewhat similar experience. I was diagnosed with A.L.L. (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia)7 years ago(I was 18). I am cosidered to be in full remission since then. I know EXACTLY what you are going through, the side effects, the infections, the blood transfusions, the lumbar punctures (about 8 in total), the nausea, vomiting, etc.
I was also informed, by Lori, about a 24 hour hockey fundraiser and was more than willing to participate.
When I was diagnosed I blamed God for what was happening, and this might sound strange to some, but I'm glad I got to experience such a hideous disease. I became a born- again Christian, I started caring about others more than myself; in other words, I became a much better person because of it.
Just so you know, I don't believe in statistics: I was given a 2% chance of surviving. I am a firm believer in prayer and the amazing things that can come about from it. Although I have never met you before, I will pray for you. Keep fighting and don't give up.
I apologize if this sounded self- centered, I didn't know what else to say. I guess what I'm trying to say is there is always hope in any situation, and ALL things are possible with God.

Love, Ken

"Humble yourselves, therfore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." - 1Peter 5:6-7

p.s. this may be hard to understand, but my family and I used humor to get through the ordeal. It was helpful in a way. God Bless You!!

p.p.s. if you ever want to talk, I'd be more than willing to get together with you. peace out

. said...

mona,
what to say? as much as it was hard to see you in pain on wed. when they changed your dressing, it's so exciting to ehar that the pain is due to a good thing... a god thing!

i love, love, love you ramona... and i am so excited (sill grinning from ear-to-ear) but i know your battle isn't over yet so i'm continuing to pray...

i have been thinking so much about god. i was sick yesterday, in bed all day (which reminded me of when i go to visit you) so i had lots of time to think and to pray... god just kept reminding me that he is in control... i've believed all along that he COULD heal you, but in the past weeks i began doubting wether or not he WOULD... but despite my lack of faith and my human nature, he's shrinking yoru cancer which is expanding my fiath and my understanding of Him...

my heart is w/ you in rm 4...
always,
dayna

Anonymous said...

hey earl and ramona
i figured seeing i read your blog practically everyday i should leave a comment, i just haven't really known what to write but i just wanted to let you know that im thinking about you, im so happy about the positive news, ramona after you talked about how you believed that God was going to heal you i've never stopped thinking that that is exactly what He's going to do, you are huge inspiration to me Ramona, I hope things continue to get better for you and that God will provide all the strength that you need to get through these coming days. love you! all the best to both of you guys, your both so amazing:)

Anonymous said...

We rejoice with you, Earl & Ramona! So glad to hear things are looking up. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jacob & Jealene

Anonymous said...

Earl & Ramona, I'm so excited to hear the good news. I hope things will continue to get better.
Still in my thoughts and prayers.

~ Melissa Plett

Anonymous said...

that is totally awesome to hear, both of y'all. keep walking in the healing. I've been challenged this last week on my concept of faith. If you think about it, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. If you think about this in terms of healing, it means living as if you are healed. That challenged me, and that isn't just my concept of healing, it's biblical, eh? Anyways I'll need to talk to y'all via phone again sometime, eh? lol, talk to y'all later and keep up the good fight.

Anonymous said...

Praise the LORD, we are so happy to hear this good news. My family,sisters,mom,dad,and parents from HCA always ask how you are doing,they are sooo happy that you are getting better.We are praying for you guys and also for your parents.You are so encouraging to us.Thank you LORD for Ramona and Earl.