Faithful prayer warriors....

Randy and I took Min and Leon down to Henry Ford cancer center on Thursday.  We met with Dr Walbert.  He spent a good amount of time with us explaining what they do there with regards to clinical trials.  Shortly into his schpeel, I asked him if he went to church.  His response was yes!   We explained that all the drs that Min has been to, none of them offered a lick of encouragement to Leon.  He looked at Min and told her that their purpose in these clinical trials is to give "HOPE".  We both melted in joy just hearing the word hope.  He went on to tell us that they too had to pass criteria in order to be a clinical trial facility.  Their equipment is much different than other HF hospitals.  Their research also differs from other facilities in hopes that one or more of the facilities doing research will eventually find a cure.  

He then told us what the criteria was for Leon to be accepted.  1) be out of radiation for 90 days.  2) blood platelets have to be at or >100.   3) lymphocyte levels.  Normal is .64 Leon is at .24.  Dr said he is borderline.  Min took Leon to Beaumont for bloodwork on Tuesday and is waiting for the results.  

The clinical research that they are working on is all drug related.  Some of the drugs I saw on the list already have FDA approval and are advertised on tv and some don't.  There were approx 8-9 drugs on the screen.  

What I especially appreciated was Mins unwavering diligence with each person that came into the room regarding the current state of Leon.  Her description was rock solid and unchanging each time.  One of the first things the Dr asked her when he came in was "what is your biggest concern for Leon today".  Of which she answered..."his right eye keeps rolling back into his head and he is very unstable on his feet.  She told him it started when he started taking the steroid."  Through the course of our conversation with the Dr I would say she told him that 4 times.  He finally got it.   He believes it could be a cell laying on his optic nerve and was firm that it was not the steroid.  It was at this point that he told Min that his office would schedule Leon for an MRI at his facility in the very near future.  The Dr also does not want Leon's next cycle of chemo to start until he sees the MRI and bloodwork results.  He wants to make sure Leon will pass all the criteria to be enrolled in the trials.  

Now for the blessing of the day....

In addition to the Dr, Min saw three other people, all women, 1 woman looked to be of Arab decent, 1 American and one India Indian.  Before each women left the room, Min gently took their hand and let each woman know that God loved them and that she loved them.  But she especially emphasized that God loved them.  She then placed a tract in their hand and genuinely and kindly asked them to please read it.  They responded with the same love and gentleness that Min approached them with.  The last woman that Min talked to responded "I really needed to hear this today.  Thank you so much for telling me that God loves me."

What a blessing it is to be in the kingdom of God.  What a blessings it is to be knit together one with Christ and each other.  What a blessing it is to see LOVE in action.  What a blessing it is to have a role model show us what a Godly walk looks like.  What a blessing it is to be able to GLORIFY GOD in the midst of our trials.  What a blessing it is to be able to go into the throne room of God and lay our prayers at HIS feet.  

Thank you Sovereign King for your plan of redemption for us sinners.  Thank you for the shed blood of your Son that now covers us so that we are worthy to enter into your throne room.  Thank you for your forgiveness, love, peace, strength, mercy and comfort that gets us through each day.  

We love and adore you and surrender all we have for you.  You are so so good!  Amen