To Tulsa and Back

Dear Friends,
Much has happened since I last posted. We traveled back to Tulsa, July 18th to meet the new doctor, get more (I.V.) bags, and a new 'tweaked' protocol from (the new doctor) Dr. Jennings. On our way, our van broke down...literally just QUIT on the Indian Turnpike!! THANK GOD for His grace and mercy..and once again providing!! It's a long story, but to make it short.. we met two, wonderfully sweet, good Samaritans!! Anna stopped first. She was in a small car and was unable to "help", but ... insisted on staying with us until someone could. Next, a man in a large dually stopped and offered to pull our van the 20 miles to the toll booth, where there was a gas station and McDonald's, and then take us on into Tulsa to our doctor's appointment at 9:30. Selah and I rode with Anna to McDonald's where she bought our breakfast!!! Derek came with Mr. Henry (aka "Cowboy for Jesus", as he wore a cap that cheerfully proclaimed, "Cowboys for Jesus!"). After Selah and I ate, Anna went on to Oklahoma City. We left the van in the parking lot and Mr. Henry drove us into Tulsa. We were only 15 minutes late for our appointment!! Mr. Henry was a Godly, polite man... using "Yes, sir" and "Yes, ma'am". Anytime we thanked him for his kindness he always responded by letting us know, "I'm blessed!". ... AMAZING!! From the clinic, our buddy, Troy, picked us up and brought us to meet his family at 'Applebees' near our hotel. We enjoyed lunch with Troy, his wife, DeEtta, their two girls Naomi and Annebelle, and little, Colby. We declined an offer to stay in their home and instead opted to go straight to our hotel to SLEEP!!! The next morning, Derek's mother's friend, Cecil, drove from Denison in his pickup, to get us to our next appointment and then to tow our van home on a 'dolly'. ... Where would we be without the help of others??!!!! I honestly, sometimes do not understand God's ways.. I don't understand why if we are in this storm, why we can't just make it to our appointments without a hitch, but.. either way, HE PROVIDED!!! All I know is this.. throughout this whole ordeal we are constantly finding ourselves in a position where we must absolutely rely on Him and the kindness of others!!!

I am ashamed to admit, that Sunday evening, back at the hotel...I found myself just drained!! I was a bit frustrated... I knew God had provided, and I knew He got us where we needed to be, thanks to the "cowboy for Jesus", but I just couldn't see...how our van breaking down was going to "work together for our good". The next morning, a friend posted a message to me on Facebook saying, "When you can't see His hand, trust His heart." So true. I have found myself in that very position often during this past... almost two years, not always able to see His hand, but LEARNING to trust His heart.

So...now we made it to all of our appointments. We came home with two prescriptions : one for thyroid and one called Low Dose Naltrexone, four bags, numerous supplements ..including : milk thistle and iodine for liver support, Derek's picc line resutured and numerous supplies (dressing changes, etc.) We are excited about our new protocols!!! We are already seeing and feeling differences in the tumor..sometimes it swells (HUGE), but then comes back down, and definitely feels different. Something is quite obviously going on in there!!! Derek has had some negative side effects including body aches and head aches. We just back off some of the protocols during those times in order to give his body time to 'catch up' and deal with the tumor 'die off'. Please check the link below to read about LDN; it's very encouraging!!

http://www.brave-souls.com/LDN/LDN%20and%20Cancer.htm

Finally, I'm going to close for now, but I can't with out mentioning... please keep our dear friends, the Postons, in your prayers. You may remember our mentioning Stan and Janet in past posts.. we met this wonderful couple in November while going through treatment at Camelot. Stan was battling an aggressive brain tumor. I am so sad to say, that Stan went home. He passed away July 24th. He leaves behind Janet, their four children, a son-in-law and three grandsons. This is such a close knit family. We are very blessed to have gotten to know Stan and Janet and feel as though we know their children. Stan was an intelligent, Godly man of character. His family was obviously his pride and joy, as he spoke of his children, son-in-law and grandsons often. I know they must all miss him terribly. He was a tall, broad shouldered man with a smile that lit up the room!! Derek and I have shed many tears ... it is a difficult loss. The connections made with others during our stay in Tulsa were deep felt. I guess it is as Noel (from CCC) says, "Intense situations bring about intense relationships."

~Love, Misty