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Sunday, June 29, 2014

Warriors unite!

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." - Psalm 5:1-3 (KJV)

What a journey it has been since that April day in 2013 when the orthopedic surgeon Kelsey had visited due to a very small lump in her right forearm mentioned that she may have cancer. He thought it would be unusual for it to be in her arm. It certainly was (statistically speaking) unusual for cancer to be there. The following year and almost three months has continued in that "unusual" trend. Going from amputation of her right arm being a real possibility to learning that the cancer had spread which made amputation no longer the chosen path. Multiple MRIs, CT scans, x-Rays and PET scans. Biopsies, tumor removals and stereotactic radiation. Now, we sit in a hospital with Kelsey, who between her pain medicine has many moments of being herself, welcoming people, apologizing that she hasn't gotten up to shower, sharing funny stories, singing songs and loving on Alexa. But she also has a lot of pain. The cancer in her right lung has continued to grow. It appears there may be a spot on her liver. It may also have spread to her lymph nodes on her right side. From the world's standpoint, from the standpoint of the experts, there would appear to be "no hope". (Feel free to refer back to my blog entry a few days back - Breathing a little easier - to read the quote near the end of the post for some context.)

But, as we have seen throughout this journey, the world is not God and the experts are not God (and we are so thankful on both of those counts). And, we always have hope! So now, our dear warriors, it is time for us to bring Kelsey once more before the throne of God. Please join me in continuing to pray for her complete earthly healing. With the intensity of her pain, if God does not will to heal her, it is selfish for us to cling to her here on this earth.

I thank you for your prayers, for the texts and phone calls, for the abundance of food, for offers to help in whatever way possible. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for your prayers. They are what sustain all of us in the darkest hours. They allow us to continue to trust God when our flesh screams out that He is not trustworthy. Here are some very specific ways to pray:

-- Complete and total healing of Kelsey's body. No more cancer.

-- Nutrition. Kelsey does get weaker and weaker each day due to an insufficient calorie intake. I am planning to speak with the doctor about this later this morning (along with Kelsey) to emphasize that we want to make sure she is getting nutrition (and are okay with possible risks of IV nutrition or a feeding tube). There are so many benefits to having nutrition, but if we continue the current course of just getting the liquids she needs, the outcome is pretty certain. Pray the conversation goes well and we can figure out how to get additional nutrition for her.

-- No more fluid in Kelsey’s lungs. Breathing easier.

-- Special times together. Whether God wills to heal Kelsey or not, pray we can look back on these days with a clear picture of God's hand in all of it.

-- For Alexa. My heart aches for my beautiful daughter. She knows not everything is right, that something is different about this time in the hospital. I have talked with her and let her know that mommy is very sick and that we need to be praying that God would heal her. But, she is four years old. She doesn't truly grasp the severity of the situation. Please pray she can have special moments with Kelsey

-- Wisdom. Oh how we all need this in so many ways. Treatment now, potential future treatment, speaking about hard subjects, dealing with doctors, and the list goes on. We need God's wisdom.

-- For God to be glorified. Pray we can be a light to those around us here. There is not much hope for many people here on this floor. Pray we can continue to be an oasis of hope and that even in the midst of this dark time that God would use it to bring others to Himself.

GOD IS IN CONTROL! What truth in these words, even in times of pain and sorrow! Thank you all for continuing to be a part of this wonderful team of prayer warriors. And, if you need your official "armor", the T-shirts have arrived! Here is Alexa providing some wonderful modeling.
IMG_2093
If you would like to get one of these t-shirts, you can find them at http://thekennedycrew.com/t-shirts/. The front has C > c, the back says:

Christ > cancer
I'm a warrior in the fight for Kelsey Kennedy.
"This is what the Lord says to you, ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.'" - 2 Chronicles 20:15

7 comments:

  1. Dear Chris, Kelsey and Alexa, We want to thank you Chris for the update. We are praying for all of the items you listed. Most of all we pray that you all stay strong in your faith and HOLD ON TO GOD AND HIS PROMISES. We pray that He will fill each of you with HIS comfort, peace and wisdom. We lift you all up to HIM. Sharl and Doug Taylor

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  2. Your posts are beautiful Chris. It is so obvious that they are fuel by the kind of love that is sparked by God. The kind of love that a Godly man has for his wife. Hang on to God's truths and I pray that comfort comes for all of you. I am praying for the things on the list and asking God to lift you up as you continue to make choices with Kelsey. I am sorry you and your families are having to deal this ugly disease.
    Much love to all of you...Tammie Mouser

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  3. Kelsey has always emanated such a graceful beauty, both inside and out. I just wanted to let you know I am praying for all of you — for strength, healing, and hope — but above all that God wraps you in His loving embrace each step of the way.

    Heather Bohlmann

    "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." — John 14:27

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  4. I understand more than I would like to what you are going thru. Praying that you will feel the arms of God wrapped around you and your family as you go thru this very difficult time and have His wisdom as you make decisions about what is best for Kelsey.
    Susan Zeeb

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  5. Praying and sending our Love to all.
    McNabb's

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  6. I've been following your story via links on FB from fellow OBU alumni. I'm praying for your family. I can't imagine going through this, and I wish I could will it away somehow. You have been an inspiration as to how you've handled it all, and Christ's light is shining brightly through your family.

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  7. You are in our thoughts and prayers each day! May His love surrounds you and your family during this precious time. Kelsey, you are an inspiration to many of us!

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