More delays - and more help

Sorry for slight delay, but I wanted to see what would happen yesterday and today before updating.

In theory Sue should have had a bed yesterday for more of the intravenous chemo. The usual story though - "sorry, no bed today, try again tomorrow"..... She did however go to the outpatient clinic to have blood tests, which were ok; so we took the pager and went home for a few hours before returning to have the 24/7 pump refilled, so at least that part is functioning as anticipated.

There was a "sorry etc" reply to the bed question again this morning - and in fact the ward clerk said that the bed pressure at the moment is such that a bed may not become available until Friday. What a mercy to have confidence in the sovereign control and perfect timing of our loving Heavenly Father! Whatever the timing of the next bed-stay, though, the consultant we saw in the outpatient clinic said that he will arrange for more scans in about three weeks time to see how the cancers are, and to what extent the chemo is working.

In herself Sue is not too bad most of the time - not in pain because of all the painkillers, and not feeling sick at all. Not much hair left though! The GP has however changed some of the tablets, which have left her quite wobbly/unsteady - not good when she is quite weak anyway. She spends most of the day resting, and dozing if not actually asleep. Television holds no interest, and reading is still an effort - although reading a small portion from the large-print Bible (currently in the Psalms) is manageable. We read short sections of "lighter" Christian books in the evenings – currently a paperback about Abraham called "Living in the gap between promise and reality". Recommended!

In terms of extra help, one of the local Macmillan nurse team came to meet us last week, to see what she could do to help rather than for medical purposes, and she assisted us with a claim for Disability Allowance. She said we could apply for a blue badge for the car as well, but Sue does not want to admit to being disabled quite yet!

The other area of "more help" is to hear of yet more brothers and sisters in Christ who are praying for us. It is a truly humbling thing to find - indeed to KNOW - that so many people are praying for us. At the weekend I heard not only of another church (this time in the USA) where we have been mentioned in the prayers of the public worship, but (even more amazing and humbling) where after the service a lady came to the brother who is there who knows us, and asked for more details as she feels she wants to make a prayer commitment for us. Truly the Lord's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts - and how kind and gracious He is. If He prompts so many to prayer, will He not answer? So may His will be done, and may He be glorified in the life and future of this little (very unworthy) family.