Posted on 09/10/2005 4:27:33 PM PDT by TruthSetsUFree
I'd like to ask for prayer for my brother-in-law (Dennis, age 36) who was just this week diagnosed with leukemia. This has come as quite a shock to all of us. He had been feeling tired lately (for 3 weeks or so) and went to the doctor on Tuesday, but none of us suspected this.
He has five children - ages 12, 10, 8, 6 and 15 mos. He's married to my younger sister.
The type of leukemia he has is called acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a very aggressive form but it also responds very well to treatment. Please pray that the cancer will not grow rapidly nor spread to other parts of his body, and that treatment will go well and be successful, if that's the Lord's will for him.
Thanks so much for lifting him, my sister, their children, and the rest of our family up in prayer. My sister feels like she needs to be two people right now in two different places (in the hospital with her husband and at home for her children). Right now we're doing our best to care for her children so she can concentrate on Dennis and his recovery.
Thanks so much for your prayers!
I'm pinging all of you had posted to this thread a year ago regarding my brother-in-law who was diagnosed with leukemia (specificially Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia). The most recent update was in January, posted here, when he was prounounced by his doctor to be in remission.
This past week he had some very unexpected news that I'd like to ask my fellow FReepers who know the Lord to pray about as He leads you. I'll just paste the email he sent out here:
Dear friends,Thanks again to my fellow FReepers for your prayers. They mean an awful lot, and I have no doubt that our Great Physician hears and answers prayer.
On Wednesday I went for my routine weekly blood tests and the doctor stepped in the room and told me she had got some test results back from the week before that show a very slight trace of leukemia cells showing up in my system. I was not even aware the quarterly test to check for that had been done since the lab had misunderstood the doctors instructions the week before and did that test a month early. The doctor said it was a surprise to her to see those results since all my other indications are continuing to point towards being completely cancer free. She told me she was checking into just what those results meant and what, if any, steps would be needed as a result.
Thursday she called me back in to have the test re-run. When I was in getting my blood drawn she then told me that there is a slight possibility it is a false positive on last week's test, but after consulting with other specialists they believe it is more likely that it is an accurate test. We won't know the results of the re-test until sometime next week.
My first request is that you please pray with us that it was a false positive and that this test will again show a 0.00. We so much want to hear good news next week but know that ultimately it is not in our hands but God's. He is the One who chooses what is best in our lives even when we cannot fathom the reasons for His choices. We know that His will is best and seek to trust Him to do what pleases Him.
If it does come back positive again then it is likely that I will need to go through another round of chemotherapy. This time they would use a different drug with another whole set of side effects and risks and is one that my doctor is not as immediately familiar with. She is referring me on to another specialist in their practice who handles the more advanced cases all the way up to bone marrow transplants. It is likely that I would need to be hospitalized for this round of treatment although it is not clear for how long. If this becomes necessary it would likely happen within several weeks from now.
This would then likely be followed by a period of time in which they would let my body recover and then draw some of my bone marrow that would then be used for a bone marrow transplant. (I know this raises the question of how they can use my bone marrow if I could still be carrying some leukemia, but I don't have an answer to that question yet.)
The scenario that I would likely need to go through if the test is again positive is quite daunting to us. Having been through the stress, uncertainty, risks, separation, etc. of the first time around we have no desire to see those days again. It is a rather scary and uncomfortable picture to look at and we would greatly appreciate your prayers for peace as we wait to hear the results, the ability to rest and get good sleep at night, grace to accept the results of the test and the ability to face whatever lies ahead knowing that God will walk through it with us.
I am scheduled to meet with the other specialist next Wednesday and am hoping to know the results of the test by then if not before. I'll keep you posted so you know how to continue praying.
Thanks,
Dennis
Prayers up!
Continued thoughts and prayers. Make sure to post updates.
MM
Prayers for your brother, my cousin had leukemia at around 45, he took one course of treatment and has been clean since.
I'll be sure to do that as soon as we find out more. Thanks so much for your prayers.
Praying for some good news!
That's so good to hear. My BIL is 37 and is from all appearances healthy. He's been feeling pretty good and had no indication the leukemia was back, which is why the results from the recent blood test is such a shock. We're of course praying that it was a false positive, even though the doctor thinks it's likely accurate. She must've had some doubt herself though or she likely wouldn't have ordered a second test to confirm. The Lord knows, though, and it's in His Hands. Thanks for your prayers!
Youre more than welcome.
I learned last year not to underestimate the power of FReepers prayers...there are some truly wonderful, spiritual people here. If you havent already, I would suggest pinging Trussell.. she has quite the prayer group.
God Bless. MM
Please post your replies to TruthSetsUFree
TruthSetsUFree, My prayers going up for Dennis and his family. God's protection and healing for Dennis. We pray for a blessing with the test results.
Blessings,
trussell
If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.
Thanks! I did put Trussell on the ping list for my update. I know there is a large group of prayer warriors here at FR, and have been so grateful on a number of occasions for their prayers. I'm also grateful to Trussell for all she does in putting together the prayer needs on FR with the prayer warriors, and I also lift her up each time I see a ping from her as I know that it's a time-consuming and emotionally-wearing job. I pray God blesses her for doing it so faithfully.
I like that part about "responds very well to treatment."
Prayers on the way for a full healing, and grace to walk through this valley.
Does he know the Lord as his Savior?
I'm so glad he went to the doctor early with those symptoms.
Thank you so much...that is truly appreciated.
Yes he does, since a little boy. He served as pastor for several years, and now as an elder in their church. He and my sister have a great testimony about trusting the Lord in all of this.
Dennis and family can count on my prayers. Hang in there.
Prayers sent.
Prayers on the way!
Prayers from New York for Dennis and for all of you who care for him.
The Lord be with Dennis.
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