News from MDA

We wanted everyone to know that the results from MDA were what we expected to hear, considering Dad's condition.  The cancer has continued to spread through the liver, as well as other spots in the abdomen.  The only option that the Dr. gave Dad was chemo.  He said it would probably increase the symptoms he already has, so this is not something that Dad really wants to do, considering how difficult things have been.  Mom and Dad left the appointment with a peace, a peace that must have only come from God.
He is just a few days into this new nutritional therapy with this new Dr. in Dallas, and he is starting round two of the new IV's tomorrow.  The good news is, that Dad has gained some weight back, since he started these new IV's just about a week ago.  The amount is to be debated, but we think at least 8 to 10 lbs!!! Mom and I were so excited about that.  Dad said if he could transfer that into energy, then he would be excited too. :) We are thankful, non-the-less, for the weight gain.
So we will continue to pray for strength, and stamina to hang in there, for the serum to arrive on Jan. 18th.  We are hopeful.  Our hope is in the Lord. We know, aside from God touching Dad with a miracle, this cancer is not supposed to be curable, but we will continue to pray, and thank God for every day we are given.
Surprisingly, this evening, Mom and Dad stopped at our house, on their way home from the all day Dr's appointment and pharmacy visit, picking up his new batch of IVs, to see if they could eat supper with us, then take us all to the movie. I really couldn't believe Dad had the energy, but he rested for awhile, then we ate supper, and all of us, 5 kids included, and Joy, went to the movie together.  It really was nice, like old times.  My Dad and Mom have always been big movie fans, and we have loved going to the movies together as a family.  This was a sweet time for us all.
We thank the Lord for special little moments like these.
Keep praying with us, that strength will build, weight will come, and the serum will bring some help.
We are grateful for each of you.
God is good. Happy New Year from the Janszen (Ford, Rutledge) Family,
JJ

In the waiting room

I'm in the waiting room while Mike gets a PET scan at M.D. Anderson.  Seems like I've been in God's waiting room for nearly 4 years now. Mike has had some rough days. No change or improvement in recent days. It is so hard to watch him struggle.  The only thing that seemed to spur him up off the couch was the fear of me (Jan) paying the bills. He was motivated to move pretty quickly. :)
Joy is with us in Houston as we will wait to get results tomorrow.  We will visit our friends in Brenham as well.
While driving down we listened to a pod cast of Louis Gigglio from Passion City Church in Atlanta. It was very encouraging especially a quote from A.W. Tozer.  He wrote in one of his books, "What God has done at any time He can do now. Wherever God has done it, He can do it here.  What He has done for anyone, He can do for you."
Wow! God isn't limited by anything.
Don't know what tomorrow holds, but trusting the One Who holds it.
Please pray with us as we continue to ask God to intervene.


Waiting with our Lord,
Jan
Isaiah 40:31 
But those who wait on the LORD 
Shall renew their strength; 
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, 
They shall run and not be weary, 
They shall walk and not faint.

Merry Christmas

Wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas.  


I was blessed to read a devotional from a friend of mine from Baylor.  She is the mother of a severely disabled child and faces challenges every day, that I can't even begin to imagine.  She is a precious believer and she wanted to encourage us this Christmas with some of her thoughts.


The main point of the devo was this.  For Mary and Joseph, the first Christmas was probably not at all what they expected or maybe even wanted.  After traveling so far, had God not even provided a place for them to stay?  When Mary's water broke that night, had God really intended for her to have this baby in a dirty smelly barn?  Surely God did not know the baby was coming tonight. Surely He, if He cared, if He really was paying attention to them, would never have wanted this.  This is not at all what they would have planned.  But yet, it was exactly what He planned.  He had a reason and a purpose for this not being what we would consider the Norman Rockwell picture of the first Christmas.


This was so encouraging to me.  This Christmas, even though it seems a little off, not exactly what we would have planned.  Surely this is not how the Lord would want this day to go, surely He is missing something, not realizing what is happening?! But He does, He is, and He is with us. God with us, right,?Isn't that what Christmas is all about?  We may feel like we are in the stinky stable, not exactly what we would have planned, but God did.  He is here with us, with me.  He loves to shine His glory, His beauty in the ugliest of places, the smelly places.


This morning, Dad had a pic line (sp?) put in, so that he could receive the nutritional IVs easier than mom having to stick him every time.  He went to a new Dr. in Dallas yesterday, and this Dr. thinks he can help Dad feel better.  They are starting him on a different set of nutritional IVs today, so we will pray that these lift him up, physically, as well as emotionally. 


They go back to MD Anderson right after Christmas.


They are driving back right now from Dallas, and not sure where they will stay tonight, my house or the Ranch, not sure which church service, if any, they will be able to make.  Not exactly what they pictured their perfect Christmas Eve to be like.  But we will praise God, that we, like Mary and Joseph, were not sure about these plans, His plans, but God was and is.  It may not look or feel like we think it should, but God is working His perfect plan and purposes in our lives.


To Him be Glory for Ever and Ever, Amen
JJ

Update on Dad

I just wanted you all to know how Dad is doing. 

Good news first..... His blood arrived safely in Germany this week, so pray for speed and wisdom and insight for Dr. Horst Kief, the doctor who will be making this serum with Dad's blood.  Pray that this could be part of the answer for help for Dad.  Pray for speed, and a quick return of the serum (they estimate 4-6 weeks).


I spoke with Dad tonight and he is very weak.  He is exhuasted and is worn out just getting up and getting ready for the day.  He told me about all he can do is rest right now, and hang on until this serum comes back from Germany.  He traveled quite a bit this week with a funeral, then a doctor's appointment in Cleburne, and the blood draw in Dallas on Monday, and it seems to just completely take it out of him.


Again, for those of you that have known Dad pre-cancer, this is so odd to think about Mike Janszen this way. 


He is still getting the nutritional IV's, but his veins are struggling as well.  It is getting harder and harder for Mom to find a good one to put the needle in.  As you can imagine, this is difficult on Mom, very difficult, for both of them.


Pray for strength for Mom as she cares for Dad, and strength for Dad to hang in there. Keep praying for a miracle.  


We are so thankful to walk through this with you, your prayers are what sustain this family, and we covet them for Mom and Dad.


Thank you,
JJ 

Dad's condition

Family and Friends,

After speaking with my sister yesterday, we felt it was important to let everyone know how Dad is doing. I wish that I could tell you things were moving in the right direction, and that the nutritional therapy was working, but it seems that he is losing more strength and energy every day.

We were able to spend Thanksgiving together, all of us but Joy, (she is still in Africa, but will be home on Dec. 15th for a few weeks) anyway, while we were together in the same house for 3 days, we were all able to witness first hand, the weakness and decline of Dad's health.

For those of you that have known Dad for many years, this is a very different way to describe Dad.  He has been an ox my whole life, able to shoulder anything, and now seems to just struggle getting though the day. Not resting well, not being able to eat much, it has been very difficult, especially for Mom, as she continues to prepare healthy food, protein shakes, give him the nutritional IV's, and take care of his needs.  And to not see results, positive results, has been discouraging.

I felt the need to be very honest in this post, so that those of you who pray for Dad and Mom, can know exactly how to pray and how important it is that we continue to ask for a miracle.

One new positive that is on the horizon is this...... On Dec. 13th, we will be overnighting some of Dad's blood to a Dr. in Germany, who is going to make a serum out of it, and put it back into Dad approximately 6 weeks later.  This Dr. has been treating different diseases, as well as cancer, with a pretty good success rate.  There is an American extension to this Dr. right here in Dallas.  We have spoken with them in length, and both Dad and Mom feel that we should proceed.  But all the medical part is done in Germany, thus, the overnighting of the blood.

We are continuing to ask God for a miracle.  Total healing. If God chooses to use this Dr. in Germany, then great!!!  If He chooses to just touch him, aside from any medicine, then great too!!

God is good, His ways surely don't make sense to us at times, but He is still worthy to be praised.

Below I have attached some pictures from Thanksgiving.

Thank you for praying and for trusting God with us,

JJ

mom and dad, thanksgiving prayer time

6 of the 7 grandkids eating thanksgiving dinner

mom and dad

mom with the 3 of the 4 kids

some of the grandkids watching football games

If you feel lead, please drop a note of encouragement to Mom and Dad, the address is on the top right corner of this blog.

Dad's Birthday

Nov. 14th was Dad's 66th birthday!!! Just wanted all of you to know.
Praise the Lord for 66 years with Dad. We are so grateful.


Health update: Dad has not been feeling that well the last several months, but especially these last few weeks.  He seems to be feeling so tired, and having some pain in his stomach area.  This is obviously, discouraging to him, since he has been doing the nutritional therapy, and seems to not see any benefits.


Please pray for mental encouragement, as well as a renewed strength. Pray also for wisdom, as to how they should proceed.


Thank you, and thankful for each of you continuing to pray,


JJ

News from MDA

Well, Mom and Dad went down to MDA yesterday for the 10 week checkup, following the findings from the summer.  If you remember, they found a spot in the liver, and told Dad to wait 10 weeks, then they would rescan, and see if there had been any change.


Well, in the meantime, they have tried some alternative methods of treatment, mainly healthy eating, and nutritional IV's.  They will continue this until December sometime.


Anyway, they found out yesterday, that the spot on the liver had grown, and that there were possibly some more spots as well.  


Though this is NOT the news we wanted to hear, we are trusting the Lord.  Mom told Dad that "God would not take him until He was done using him, so You better stay busy doing work for the Lord!!"


We know God can and still might totally heal Dad, touch that cancer, and have it disappear, this is what we are asking for.


We need prayer for wisdom, as we face more decisions in the future, aside of God's healing touch.


Especially pray for Mom and Dad. Pray for energy for Dad, strength, encouragement, and emotional strength and encouragement and peace for Mom.


They have been busy living these past few months, going to grandkids volleyball, soccer,  and football games, going to grandparent's day, having the kids down to ride horses, we just went to Red river with them last week and had a great time.

They are busy living, and we pray that whatever time we all have left, we will use it for His glory. This really is how we ALL should live, we really don't know how many days we are given on this Earth, it really is all about him and I pray we all would appreciate each other and focus on the important things, not just ourselves.


Thank you for caring and reading.  You all are a precious gift from God to our family.
In His grace and mercy,
JJ (Janszen) Ford

Happy Anniversary

Just thought all of you would like to know that today is Mom and Dad's 43rd wedding anniversary!!


They are an inspiration to us all, of what a marriage is supposed to be.  Praise the Lord for 43 years together.


Love,
JJ

News from MDA

Just wanted to let all of you know the latest, who are following Dad and Mom's road with cancer.
Monday, they were at MDA for a follow-up 3 month check up, since Dad's adrenal gland removal.  On Monday, they scanned Dad, and another spot of cancer has shown up on the liver.
It is small, so they are recommending no treatment at this time, and rescanning him in 10 weeks, to see if it has changed, grown, etc.
Again, I would ask for your prayers for Mom and Dad.  For the "peace, that passes all understanding, to guard their hearts and their minds, in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Pray for healing, that the spot would be completely gone when they go back in 10 weeks.
Pray for strength, encouragement, and joy as they walk through this time of waiting.
Pray for wisdom, if there is anything they can/should be doing between now and then.
They are heading to Red River to get back out of the heat and for a little  R&R, so pray they have an enjoyable time, a time of refreshment.
God is good, all the time, and we trust Him completely.  We don't necessarily like what He does all the time, but we know He is awesome, His ways are not our ways, He has a purpose in all of this, and we are clinging to His promises.  To God be all glory and praise.  We love Him.
Thank you again, as you begin to lift Dad and Mom back up before the throne.
We love each of you and cherish your friendship and prayers.
In His amazing grace,
JJ

Check up today at MDA

Dad and Mom have gone to MDA for a check up and scans. Please pray for insight for the Dr.s and for wisdom and encouragement for Mom and Dad. Also for a good check up.
Thanks,
JJ

No Treatment Recommended

Thank you for praying.  After a scan, and several Dr. appointments, no treatment is recommended at this time.  


Thank you for praying for clarity for Mom and Dad.  They were relieved that all the Dr.s seemed to be in agreement, that for now, they would have Dad just wait, instead of launching into another round of Chemo or Radiation.  There are no other places with masses visible at this time.  Hopefully never!!


He will have another pet scan in 3 months, so that they can keep an eye on things.


Thank you again for your prayer and support.


We will let you know, if things change, or after we have this next pet scan in a few months.


Praise be the God, in all things,
JJ

Need Prayer

This week and next week Mom and Dad are meeting with some doctors, here in the DFW area, and also at MDA in Houston, to discuss if there are any follow up treatments for Dad, after this second surgery.

They are asking for wisdom.

Please pray, as they will be meeting with several different doctors, and doing a few more tests.

Prov. 11:14 "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."

Prov. 15:22 "Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established."

Prov. 24:6 "For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety."

This is what we are asking of the Lord, to do on our behalf, use all these they will talk to, to give wisdom and direction for our future plans.

Thank you for praying,

In His Amazing grace,

JJ

Tully's Wedding

Just wanted to post this picture of Mom and Dad from the wedding this weekend.
What a beautiful night, and what a fun time we had together.

Will keep you posted on Dad.  We have just been very busy planning, and celebrating the wedding of my brother to Tara Kiel.
Have a good night,
JJ Ford

Dad's doing well.

Just a quick update and some pictures.  Dad is doing good, he had his 2 week checkup this week, and all checked out ok.  He is a little discouraged with his energy level, but as the surgeon explained, he had Major surgery, even though Dad can only see 4 holes, it was still huge what they did inside.
If anything, pray for strength, and renewed stamina for Dad.
He has alot to do to get ready for my brother's wedding, in two weeks, and it is hard on him without his energy levels not being back to where he would like them.
Here are a few pictures from his surgery day.

All of us kids with Dad.

Mom and Dad.

Dad's best friend, Jim Reeves.

Thanks for praying,
JJ Ford

Home!

Mike is home from the hospital. He had a pretty good evening. Ate supper and watched golf, baseball and Nascar on the tube. His remote hand was not affected by the surgery :).  He's had mild discomfort.  Took Tylenol this afternoon and just took his first pain pill at bedtime.  We are so thankful for all your prayers. Keep praying. We will have church on the hill here tomorrow.  

Mike will return to Dr. Thurman next week to remove a few staples.

Will keep you updated.

The nurse is headed to bed, also.

Thank you all for your wonderful support.

Love from us both,

Jan (and Mike)

Surgery Update

Dad made it through the surgery fine today.  The doctor was able to do it laparoscopically, which is a praise.  Dad was feeling pretty drugged tonight, so we are praying for a good rest, and quick recovery.  If all looks good tomorrow, they said he could go home.  They were able to get, what appeared to be, all of the cancer.
Thank you all for praying.  We are praising the Lord for good results.
In His grace,
JJ

We have a surgery date.

Dad's surgery is scheduled for 1pm at USMD in Arlington on Friday, April the 8th.  
Please pray for Dr. Thurman, the surgeon, who will be performing the surgery.  He will need guidance, as he navigates through Dad's abdomen, especially through all the scar tissue, which seems to be his number one concern.  
Thank you for praying,
JJ

Surgery

Met with the Dr. today. We all liked him.  We are planning on surgery in  a few weeks.  We don't have a date yet.  Will post as soon as we know something.  His office was going to call either today, or tomorrow. 
They didn't call today, so hopefully something will get nailed down tomorrow.
Thank you for praying,
JJ

Hang on

We are meeting with the surgeon on Wednesday morning to hopefully get a surgery date, place, and time.  I will let you know, but thought I would just post real quick, since everyone is wondering if we know something yet.  I will let you know sometime tomorrow. Thank you for praying.
God is good and He will give us direction.
In Him,
JJ Ford

Still waiting for a surgery date

Dear Friends, 
Mom and Dad met with the Dr. yesterday, and have decided to have the surgery done up here.  Not sure which hospital yet, and not sure what date yet.  They will be meeting with a specialist in this group of doctors next week.  They are planning to use a ROBOT to operate on dad.  Wow!!
They feel this will be very useful for the kind of surgery they will be doing on Dad, and think he is a great candidate for this.
I will let all of you know where and when, once we get a date nailed down, but we do know it will be in the DFW area.
Mom and Dad have a peace about this.  We will continue to pray, if this is not His plan, that He will block it.  Please pray with us, and thank you again for you joining us in this journey.
In His grace,
JJ Ford

Dr.'s Appointment Update

  Dear Praying Friends and family,
Thanks so much for the prayer cover this past week. Mike had a CT Scan on Friday. Dr. Ross took his case to the Tumor Board Meeting to discuss it with multiple doctors, called our doctor at M.D. Anderson and asked us to meet with him again on Thurs.  Mar. 10th. to discuss his findings and make a decision.
Mike and I have had a good week in spite of the waiting.  But an interesting thing happened on Thursday morning as we have been seeking God's wisdom this past week.  The Lord reminded us of the passage in Daniel 2 where the king had a dream and demanded those who interpret dreams to tell him the dream and what it meant.  In Daniel 2:16, Daniel asked for "time" to interpret .  Then he and his companions sought  God's answer to the mysterious dream.  Daniel declares in  Verses 20 -23
                "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever. For wisdom and might are His
                  And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings;
                  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
                  He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness , 
                  and the light dwells with Him.
                 I thank You and praise You O God of my fathers;
                 You have given me wisdom and might,
                 And have now made known to me what we asked of You 
                 For You have made known to us the King's demand."
Then Daniel explained to the king that those who interprets dreams couldn't give the answers but
  verse 28 says " there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets "


All of the doctors in Fort Worth who looked at his case recommended surgery.
Mike believes that he would rather have the surgery to remove the adrenal gland and hopefully bypass the chemo.  Perhaps he will have to have it eventually, but the surgery may be the best way to get rid of it.
We have also called Houston and are waiting to hear back.  We will pursue a surgeon next week.
Our belief is that God has altered our course. We also believe He is working to reveal the secret things to us and those taking care of Mike's health.  If we are hearing God's voice in this decision, He will continue to confirm it to us, and if this is not His will for Mike to have the surgery, He will put up a road block to prevent it. That is our belief and our prayer.
As we reflect on the events of the last week and the truth from God's word that applies so closely to our situation, we smile and rest in the fact that is good to be in the hands of the Almighty.
Please pray on with us and we will let you know as the plans develop.
We love and appreciate you,
Jan and Mike

PLEASE PRAY

Today, Mom and Dad met with the Oncologist here, to discuss the chemo treatment, even though the regimen had been prescribed at MDA, the treatment had to be overseen up here by a local dr. 
Well, we thought it would basically be routine, and he would set us up for chemo starting next Monday, but he suggested other possible treatment options.
Without going into alot of details, Dad is considering all the options. So, tomorrow, they will head to do a another cat scan, and gather more info for the dr.s. Then, all the docs will put their heads together next Tuesday, and meet with Mom and Dad again on Thursday to hopefully make a decision.
I almost didn't even put this on the blog, simply because, it just means more waiting until next week, with no answers, but after talking with mom about it today, we both felt the prayers would be a huge help in this decision making process.
So, please pray for wisdom for the doctors, as they discuss Dad's options, wisdom for mom and dad, when they meet with them next week, and ultimately, that the best course of treatment will be taken.  That there will be no confusion. "That mom and dad will hear a voice behind them saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.'"
Thank you again for your support.
We love you,
JJ

The Game Plan

Mom and Dad are home from MDA.  They made a one day trip, with long dr's appointments in the middle.
Basically what the Dr.s said is that it is a slow growing cancer.  Not sure how long it has been there.
They will treat it with 8 weeks of chemo therapy.  They can do this hear in our area, which is nice for them to not have to drive to Houston and back each week.
They will do IV and pill chemo treatments.
This will put them into the first of May, then they will head back to MDA for a checkup to see how things are progressing.  This will be around the 12th or so of May.
The possibility of radiation is down the road, as well as surgery.  They did say this was something we could consider, if and when we get to that point, but for now, chemo is it.
We know this is in the Lord's hands.  
Our greatest prayer, is that others would be pointed to the Lord through this.  Somehow, someway, someone would be encouraged to look out of themselves, and see that they need a Saviour.  Life is not promised for tomorrow, but our tomorrows are promised to each of us through the blood of Christ, through His death and resurrection.  My Dad has always been a man who lived with a desire to point people to the Lord, but I truly believe that his megaphone has grown as he continues to travel this road.  I believe many people who have followed him on this journey want to know how he is so strong, and I can say without a doubt, it is not him, but the Lord in Him.  
We pray that the Lord would give us many more days with Dad.  So far, the Lord has seen it good and right, that we still have him with us.  
Praise the Lord for that!  
We will continue to pray this, for healing, for a miracle, for the Lord to take this cancer away.  But honestly, we will also pray, that if this is the tool that the Lord would see fit, to bring many to the Throne of Grace, then Lord, do your will. 
God is good.  We love Him and are thankful to have Him walk through this with us.
Pray for Mom, for encouragement for her, for her strength.
Thank you so much.
In His faithfulness,
JJ

Heading to MDA Tomorrow

Just a quick update.  Mom and Dad will be heading to MDA on Monday to meet with the dr.s and get a game plan for treatment of this latest cancer.  Please pray for wisdom for them and the dr.s as they discuss all the options.
I will let you know what they find out after I hear from them.
Thank you again, for all your support.
In Him,
JJ Ford

We have the results

We heard back from the dr.'s office today at MDA, and the results are not what we wanted to hear.  The biopsy came back positive for cancer.  So, Dad and Mom will head back down to MDA on Monday to meet with the dr.s and discuss treatment plans, but we think it will be chemo, and we think it can be done up here in the area.
Thank you for praying.  If you want to contact them, please consider sending a note, and not calling.  They have been overwhelmed with the amount of phone calls.
Please understand, they, we, do soooo appreciate your love, your prayers, and your wanting to just call and encourage them.  It has just really been hard on Mom trying to answer the phone and answer the same questions over and over.
I will keep you posted as to what we hear on Monday, and what the treatment will be.
Thank you again for all your love and support during this time in our lives.
In His grace and mercy,
JJ
To God be the glory

Test results

We are awaiting the test results, I will post as soon as we hear.
Thank you for praying,
JJ

Biopsy This Thursday

Mom and Dad will be heading to Houston on Wednesday for Dad's biopsy on Thursday.
Please pray for no bleeding caused by the biopsy.
I will let you know what they find out.
Thanks,
JJ

No biopsy yet.

Hey, just thought I would update everyone.  
Quickly, to recap:
Last week at MDA, the Drs. found a spot on Dad's adrenal gland that looked suspicious.  They wanted to do a biopsy to see if it was cancer.  They were not able to do this immediately, so Mom and Dad headed home and waited for them to schedule it.
While at home, the have considered having another PET scan done before they do the biopsy, since the biopsy of the adrenal gland is a little more tricky than if it were on another part of the body.
We are all about to head up to CO for our, what has become, annual family ski trip.
Dad and Mom really wanted to do this, so either way, we have postponed the biopsy until after the trip.  We will see if another PET scan happens or not, before the biopsy is performed.  We will talk and pray about the options.
Anyway, we are looking forward to getting to the mountains together, and we will post again, once we know what the plan is for Dad.
Please pray for wisdom as to the next step that we take, and for the Drs. as well.
In His amazing grace,
JJ

6 Month Checkup

Just got off the phone with Mom.  They are at MDA waiting.  
Dad went in for his 6 month check up this week, and heard back today, that they found a spot, on the pet scan, on his left adrenal gland.  
The doctor said, they would need to biopsy the spot, see if it is cancer, then get a plan of action, depending on what they find out.  
Please pray for wisdom on the part of the doctors, Mom and Dad, and all involved.
This is all we know right now.  Mom sounded good, just a little disappointed that they didn't get the all clear.
No one seemed to be in a panic, which is good.
So, they are waiting to find out when they can schedule the biopsy.
I will keep you posted.
In His grace,
JJ Ford