Friday, September 26, 2008

It's official

Met with our Doctor yesterday after my chemo and he said the only remaining issue in my chest is scar tissue. A good amount of it because the mass was so large. We will continue with 3 more chemo treatments as planned. After the last chemo...we will wait a few weeks to start radiation. Radiation will last anywhere from 4-6 weeks and that will be five days a week. So, not over yet but I am encouraged with the results. I never had a doubt that the Lord would not be faithful. We are not sure when we will start radiation but it will probably run early into the next year. Still a small road ahead of us but we will conquer it! Then I am going to hike the Grand Canyon.
I am gonna rest up now from round 9.
Keep the prayers coming.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Continued prayers always until all is free and clear! And praying for strength as you go through your next round of chemo.

I know you have a wonderful support group in your wife, mom and dad and others I am sure. I know first hand how important that is to see you through the rough times.

Can't wait for you to be able to hike the Grand Canyon!

In Him, Amy Stribling

Roberta said...

That's wonderful news, Luke! God is HUGE, all the time. :D Of course, we will continue to keep you lifted in prayer.

Anonymous said...

Luke, you are so inspiring and your courage is amazing. We are celebrating the good news you received. You can truly see God's protective hand on you.

Chris is gearing up to run the Chicago Marathon on October 12 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training, and your name will be on his shirt as one of his Honored Heros.

Keep fighting! You are always in our thoughts and prayers.

Love & Blessings,
Your Cousin Chris Martin and wife Teri

Anonymous said...

Wonderful news, Luke!

As far as the chemo goes - for that marathon, the finish line is now in sight! Just a few more turns.

Then, we'll cheer you on through the next one. (Or, would that be a sprint?)

As I mentioned in my other comment, I pray that the treatments continue to work and that strength, in both body & spirit, continue for you and your family.

- CK

Mazakai said...

"I trust my love, I trust myself, I trust the love of someone else
I trust that I will get what I’ve been hoping, waiting for

The prison walls are crashing down as winter dies without a sound, on this early April Morning
Let the struggle end, the joy begin, it’s true it’s love I’m falling in, and it came without a warning now"

(Brendan James song)

Best wishes, and you've got tons of prayers headed your way. :] Hiking the Grand Canyon will be a beautiful reward.

Melody said...

That's great news. I wish you could stop the treatments altogether now, but I guess the journey is not quite over. Still praying for you, and rejoicing with you...oh, and still waiting for that new music!

Do you by any chance have a MySpace page with any of your music on it? I can't believe I never thought to ask before....duh.

Congratulations again on the good report!

Anonymous said...

Luke,
Here we have a Proverb,"Knock the stone bridge before you cross it".

I hoped You'll be free from chemo and radiation soon,
but making your certain result like a "Stone bridge" more certainly will be good,

A little more way to go.a little more,for Grand Canyon.

-I felt like talked big,don't know how can I express this feeling.

from Tokyo

Anonymous said...

That is great news!! Very encouraging!!!

Of course we will keep the prayers coming! God is good!

Wishing you the very best,
Kaitlin

Anonymous said...

Praying for you Luke.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Luke, I know you can do this. You're a fighter, so keep it up! The doctor's report is very encouraging. I'm praying for you every day.

Remember that THE ANCHOR HOLDS!

"But it was in the night
Through the storms of my life
Oh, that's where God proved
His love to me.
...
The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL112E3NjqU

God bless you and Lara!

Anonymous said...

Dearest Luke:

Thank you again for keeping us updated. I'm so happy that the official news was also encouraging. You had earlier told us how these treatments are getting more difficult each time. But don't worry, we will all keep praying that God give you and your family the strength to get through all this. God bless.

Laura

hiedi said...

Luke, isn't the Lord amazing?! You are coming through this trial with flying colors, and a wonderful testimony. Your courage and faith have been inspiring to me, and countless others. The prayers will of course continue... looking forward to the blog about hiking the Grand Canyon. It WILL happen.
God Bless,
Hiedi

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful, Luke. Not such a hard road now, and I'll bet the radiation will be a lot easier than the chemo has been. Please do continue to keep us posted regarding the chemo schedule.

You make me think of this beautiful hymn, written by a man who lost his four daughters after the ship they were passengers on was wrecked:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Your faith shows that it truly is well with your soul -- and if this is so, nothing can truly harm you, in this world or the next. You'll never know how your faithful example, lifted up here, has impacted others in this crazy cyber-universe we inhabit.

God bless you, Luke.

Julie, chicago

Unknown said...

This is a real blessing. Now that you've turned the corner, I hope every day you feel stronger and closer to that goal of getting to the Canyon. Our thoughts and prayers are with you on your continued recovery.

Sharon

Serenity said...

Luke this is amazing!! GOD truly answers prayers! God Bless you and your family, and my continued prayers go up for you!

Anonymous said...

I hope when you come to Arizona to hike the canyon, you will get in touch with me - I would be honored to meet someone who has been so inspiring.

I continue to have you and Laura in my thoughts daily.

Your friend-
Kathy - kathypinaz

Anonymous said...

singing over you this morning
"Thou oh Lord, be a shield about him, be his glory, the lifter of his head......"
Hallelujah our King reigns.
Stand strong dear one
hugs and blessings
We love you
Chad & Bambi

Anonymous said...

Dear Luke, Hi again. I wish you alot of strength and endurance on your continued chemo and then radiation treatments to come. My prayers continue always as you continue on this road. The Grand Canyon is so beautiful and it will be great for you to walk among its magnificent wonders. I pray now and always, Much Love, Prayers, Success to You, Lara, family, friends Always... Love, twotwo

Anonymous said...

Praise God. He is so good. You are a true testament to the power of prayer, and that faith in God can really move mountains. It has been such a blessing to follow your journey so far, and I'm sure it's only just beginning!

idolette said...

Just got back from a rainy (albeit enjoyable and relaxing) vacation in Ocean City, Maryland to see great news here! That's so awesome, Luke. I'm so happy to hear it, and so happy for you and your family, and all of your loved ones.

It's amazing how God can work, and I will continue to think about you and pray for you every day. Good luck with chemo and radiation - and just remember, a small road to a HUGE life ahead of you.

Lots of love!

Unknown said...

great news!!!!! so happy to read this. we continue to pray for you here in NC.

Unknown said...

Hi Luke, so very happy to hear this! I will keep you in prayer as you still have chemo and then radiation stuff. God is with you Luke! Praise the Lord for this great news!
hugs,
Carry

Kelly O'Dell Stanley said...

Luke, just came from the style show today; I feel honored to get to be part of it. I was glad to finally get to meet you, and I loved what you said about why you came home to Crawfordsville for your treatments. It's all true. This really is an awesome place and I love the way people pull together to help in whatever ways they can.

Your news is so wonderful. I know you're not finished yet, but God is good, and He is faithful, and He will carry you the rest of the way! Praying for His continued blessings on your family, health and career.

By the way, she'd probably kill me for saying this, but my mom is in chemo (lung cancer) and lost her hair early on, even her eyelashes - so she is totally jealous of your hair! You look great! :-)

Anonymous said...

GOD IS GOOD! ALL THE TIME!
Love ya,
Beth, Keith, and Zoe

Irishgal719 said...

Luke, Keep up the fight, it looks like you are winning.

A Wish for a Friend

Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

SiĆ³chain
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Hey, Luke, i always think of u on Thursdays, even when it's not chemo week... hope you're all recovered from last week's round, having some really great days now, looking forward to a lot more great days in the future. your pal Cook's new single is climbing the charts and it's all about leaving a Light On, and that's sorta what we are doing here for YOU. so don't forget we're out here shining, every day. prayers going up for you and those you love...
julie
chicago

Anonymous said...

Luke, You have been in my prayers, I am so glad to hear the news! God is good! I was in bible study with your mother...she is an amazing lady! Keep your faith rooted and established in Him!

In Jesus,

Jill Judt

Anonymous said...

I've been keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, Luke. Thanks for sharing your experiences. It reminds us of the important things.
There's a couple of lines from an Emily Dickinson poem I'd like to share with you:
We never know how high we are (1176)
by Emily Dickinson


We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise;
And then, if we are true to plan,
Our statures touch the skies—

The Heroism we recite
Would be a daily thing,
Did not ourselves the Cubits warp
For fear to be a King—

The first stanza I recite to myself whenever things get difficult. I'm a nurse, so I have an idea what you're going through.

Wishing you all the best,
Bev
(Soundsmyth on DCO and DCFC)

Anonymous said...

"but still HE leads me back to the long winding road..."

May The Lord continue to stand beside you and those around you on this long winding road.

Anonymous said...

Hey Luke! Hope you've had a great week celebrating your good news! Round 10 coming up this week, but we know how strong you are!

Anonymous said...

Hi Luke,

Hope you've had time to rest up before Round 10 Chemo tomorrow. Only 3 more left! Prayers continue that these last few treatments will get at those remaining cancer cells that may be hiding in the scar tissue.

I saw a few things in your local online papers this past weekend about more community support you & Lara are receiving. That's so wonderful. Gotta like small towns.

Continued prayers for you, Lara, & your families.

- CK

Shirley said...

Good news, Luke, Susan Albrecht keeps us updated on a list we are on. Just remember, God is holding you in the palm of his hand. There is not a better place to be. Keep singing His praises.

Shirley R. in Marion

Anonymous said...

thinking of you and praying for you tonight... remember during your treatment this week and the time afterward, we're all out here lifting you up.

hang in there, man. this, too, shall pass....

julie/urghiggi
chicago

Anonymous said...

Luke, I am thinking and praying for you continually as you proceed forward. Remember I am standing with you in prayer as always... Lots of Love, Prayers, Strength, Success my precious friend.. Love, two two