A Note from Greg & Jeane

Dear Friends and Family,

What a rocky week it has been this past week, with blood pressures, blood sugars, white blood cell count and kidney function leaving us with a swirl of numbers and treatments and priorities to sort out. Greg is on day ten in the hospital. The roller coaster of ups and downs that has been our past week has culminated in a D-Day of sorts: The sepsis infection is not improving as it should. Greg's kidney function goes up and down, but generally down. The infection has raised havoc with swelling and pain in both of his legs (knees) so he has been unable to walk without the help of the physical therapists the past three days. The nephrologist is recommending dialysis unless his kidney function improves by Monday (yes, tomorrow). Removing the toxins through dialysis may likely give the infection a better chance to heal. We cannot let the infection continue, so anything that may help it heal must be considered. Normally this would be a temporary move to restore kidney function and improve overall health, but in the case of Chronic Kidney Disease, this could mean he is on dialysis permanently; hence our hesitancy to do it. However, it might be the best choice. We are discussing it with the medical doctors and with each other and also with God...well, especially with God. This is a set-back in body and mind and spirit and we are asking, "Really?! You have shrunk the 11 tumors in Greg's lungs down to only two tiny spots and you have decreased his thigh tumor by over half, and now this? Is this really a part of the story, God?" In the middle of it all we know that some things never change: Our God can do exceedingly great things. It's just that right now we don't think this is such a great thing, but we also know that we see through a mirror dimly. So we pray and look for clarity. And we trust in God's faithfulness. Ann Voskamp writes, "We give thanks in everything because we fiercely believe that Christ can redeem anything." Once again, thank you for your prayers, well wishes, and standing beside us certain that Christ can redeem anything. We will keep you posted. Greg & Jeane