I know many of you are following the blog for updates, so I wanted to pass along a quick one. I just spoke with Dr. Smith and Dr. Wienecke. They said everything went well as far as the surgery - no complications there. Dr. Smith said the concerning area in her C7 vertebrae is clearly cancerous and her gut feeling tells her it is the same stuff in as in her forearm (but those pathology results won't be back for a couple of days). My heart hurts for Kelsey - we so appreciate your ongoing prayers as this news will make the journey much lengthier and more involved (we still know that her complete healing is still not out of the question).
Not what we wanted to hear! She wasn't kidding when she says this is "mean"! My heart breaks you are going to have to endure this trial. We are thankful you get to go to mD Anderson so quick and will keep praying for healing for you! Love, Nat
ReplyDeleteThis breaks my heart... I hear MD Anderson is the best though, and the success rate is high there. We are still praying for you all throughout this whole process, and trusting in God that he has a plan. Thanks for the updates. -Briton & Kay Heitt
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kelsey in previous posts ... I hate cancer! But God... can do anything! We are praying for a miracle healing from the Great Physician. I know He will continue to surround you with His love, His grace, and His power.
ReplyDeleteKelsey-I am reading your updates and praying fervently for you. We love you and Chris and know you will walk with God no matter what. He is good and faithful. We pray with great hope and confidence!
ReplyDeleteJennie Kenworthy
Is. 40:11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Kelsey, I'm a friend of Holly's from church and we've been diligently praying for you! With a three-year-old of my own, I've felt especially led to pray for your precious daughter during this time of uncertainty. Thank you for sharing this journey with us so that we may know exactly what to ask the Father for on your behalf!! Paige Perry
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for her and will continue to.
ReplyDeleteLove all of you,
Johnny & Leda McNabb
Kelsey,
ReplyDeleteAs a friend of your sister, I've joined your blog to get updates on how to pray for you. I found this blog post in your archives.
"Celebrate Christ! (December 26, 2011)
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.'” Isaiah 9:6
It’s been a joy teaching Alexa the amazing details of Christ’s birth – from the angel’s visit to both Mary and Joseph to the Magi following His star to worship the King. It’s also been a joy listening to her learn the many names of Jesus.
As I’ve read this meditation, I’ve thought about who Jesus really was – not just a sweet little babe in a manger but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And the beauty is He never changes. He remains King of Kings and Lord of Lords today!! Here are just a few of the attributes that have been running through my heart and mind this season . . .
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God (Alexa’s favorite attribute when we sing Isaiah 9:6)
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace
Creator
Ruler
Bread of Life
The Way, The Truth, The Life
Teacher
Healer
Great High Priest
King of Kings
Perfect Love
Son of God
Son of Man
Messiah
Christ the Lord
Name Above All Names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
What attribute of Christ has meant the most to you this year? Although Christmas is over, we can celebrate Christ today and throughout 2012. He won’t disappoint!"
Singing Alexa's favorite song for you. "Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing our God cannot do."
Ugh. This cancer stinks, friend, and I hate that you have to walk this road. Of course, praying with full confidence that God can and will bring you victoriously through this trial. But I just feel the need to acknowledge with you today that this is no fun!!! Thank you, Jesus, for being good even when the news is not, and for loving us and being merciful toward us when we feel like stomping our feet and throwing a big ole' toddler tantrum about your plan.
ReplyDeleteChris, God has put you especially on my heart today. It is so hard to watch your spouse go through something like this, and having to take care of so many things on top of it makes it especially demanding. As I jokingly told Aaron once, "at least you get morphine!". I know God will give you the strength you need to be a loving caretaker to Kelsey. I pray He will also give you a special peace and comfort today. There are many people here in NC fervently praying for you, Kelsey, and Alexa. We love you very much. Joanna
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joanna above and pray for you, Chris, as you have to take off for a business trip in light of this opinion from Dr. Smith. Prayerfully she is not right, but even so, we are thankful that you are having such wonderful care and attention there. We are already praying for the whole group as they take off for Houston, as well as Dr. Benjamin in MCA as he carefully looks at Kelsey. Prayerfully with that with that name, he believes in miracles!
ReplyDeleteLove, Janie & John
Oh how we hurt for all of you. We love you and are continually praying for you. We still believe in miracles. Nothing is impossible with God!! Bob and Shelly
ReplyDeleteI'm with everyone else . . . cancer STINKS! But, know that as far as battles go, you are well equipped. You all are a very faithful family. You are strong and courageous! And it appears to me that you have a small army of prayer warriors backing you on this. Most importantly, you have God with whom all things are possible and we know how huge that is! Stay positive and keep up your strength. We'll pray continuously. -- Jami
ReplyDeleteKelsey & Chris, it's an honor to stand firm and contend with you! My heart is saddened by this news, so mad this is happening. Praying and believing for complete healing! Praying wisdom for your doctors and nurses, for peace over your home. Love you all so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm not gonna lie, I've been crying all day. This is just such hard news. But tonight I decided to re-read your earlier posts for the umpteenth time, and was reminded again how much God has already done, how he is making a way to make His Glory known in an through you. I'm still working on joy, but I think I'm seeing that I at least need to wait expectantly, hopefully on Him. That he is powerful, and he is good.
ReplyDeleteChris and Kelsey - Just wanted you to know that you and your family are in our prayers. We were so sorry to hear what you are going through. I will be getting in touch with Jen and Julie and know that they will be praying as well.
ReplyDeleteOur hearts are with you praying and trusting that God is so much bigger than all this. So sorry that it was bad news. Praying for you and with you. Karen
ReplyDeleteHi Kennedy family, thank you for all the updates, it is good to know how to pray. So sorry for all the sad news, please know that the Billigmeier family is praying with you!
ReplyDeleteJoanna
Sweet, Beautiful, Precious, Kelsey...I found out today in BSF Leader's Meeting...I had NO idea! But of course not...You always exhibit such Beauty and Grace in and through Christ, how would I have known? I so wish i would have Hugged you last week in the parking lot...UGH!!! One of my Greatest Treasures is a hand-written note from you...I am sure that I am not alone in that sentiment!!! I Love You, I Admire You, I so want to reflect Christ as you do...Thank-you for pouring into my life!! I consider it a tremendous honor to pray for You, and again I am not alone in that either...Love You Sweet Kelsey!! xo <3
ReplyDeletePraying... Amy Burton (BSF)
Could not say this better that Amy has. Will be praying as you request remembering that "He is able to do more than we ask or think".This is true because of the next line. It is His power at work in us. Vanna Whitlock (BSF)
DeleteThinking & praying for you. Cancer is scary! Trust God! Cindy Purcell
ReplyDeleteDeuteronomy 31:8 NIV
ReplyDeleteThe LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Precious Kelsey, we love you and are praying for you and Chris as you wait and wait and go through test after test.