Sara’s Doing Well
Hey everyone,
Thanks once again for the flood of prayers, messages and love. It’s overwhelming and very comforting. It’s Wed afternoon. Sara is on her way down to Fredericksburg to be mothered by her mother and recuperate until Monday.
What we know is that the doctor removed three tumors about 2 cm in size, and at least 3 lymph nodes with cancer. She is HER2 positive, which means her cancer is more aggressive than others, but there’s also a new treatment that’s like smart bomb attacking HER2 positive cancers. So on balance that’s good. We don’t know her stage yet, and she’s very anxious that she might be stage 3 or 4. We’ll get a pathology report in a few days and will really know more when we meet with the oncologist on Tuesday. It’s likely she’ll begin chemo in about two weeks.
Thank you for all the comments. Sara loves hearing from all of you. It’s amazing how an event like this can reconnect you with people you haven’t seen in ages. Yet another blessing.
God is very kind to us.
-Christopher
on February 13, 2008 on 4:44 pm
Oh, Sara, we are so sorry for all you and your precious family are going through. Know that we love you and will pray faithfully for you. May God comfort you and give you His perfect peace in the midst of the storms. With lots of love and prayers–Mr. & Mrs. K
on February 13, 2008 on 5:21 pm
Chris and Sara, you are most fervently in our prayers these days. We’re glad the surgery is behind you and are so grateful to be ‘kept in the loop.’ Many, many blessings to you, Julian, Stephanie and Caleb
on February 13, 2008 on 5:31 pm
Hello Darling Ones!!!!
A friend sent this to me today who is also praying for Sara and I just have to share it! God is so good!
We are praying for you guys and oh, how I love you all!!!!!!
Melissa
Malachi 3:3 – “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy – when I see my image in it.”
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
on February 13, 2008 on 5:53 pm
Sara, you are so much on our minds! We are praying with you for your total healing, and that the Holy Spirit smart bombs the fear and doubt while the medicine smart bombs that cancer. Keep up your awesome sense of humor! We love you-
Greg and Jenny
on February 13, 2008 on 6:22 pm
Hi Guys,
Been praying for you! I miss you Sara and wish we had gotten to see you when we visited. Love you!
Jason
on February 13, 2008 on 7:38 pm
We love you guys…and are praying without ceasing.
T & C
on February 14, 2008 on 12:43 am
Dear Sara,
I’ve been thinking about you and praying for you since Dan told me of your battle with cancer. It doesn’t matter that we haven’t met or spoke in such a long time, I wanted to let you know my thoughts are with you every day.
I just read your thoughts of fear and strength and your words inspired both happy and sad tears. I just said to Dan, “Wow, your faith in God is so strong, it’s inspiring!” Sara, it gave me a chill and brought tears to my eyes because your words of faith made know that God is always with you and whatever he decides for you, both you and your family will be ok.
I wish I could be there with your family and lend you my support. In the meantime, please accept my virtual hug instead.
P.S. Your children are so beautiful and so fortunate to have you guys as their parents. I pray that their tender hearts remain at peace throughout this difficult time.
With love,
Susan Winton
on February 14, 2008 on 2:32 am
Dear Ones,
We have been biting our nails over here. So thankful that you have this on-line journal to keep everyone updated on Sara. We are keeping you close in our Thoughts –
We love, love, love you all and as far as we are able from 8,000 miles away, will walk with you through this valley.
Lifting you before His very able throne,
Sara for the Kennedys of China
on February 14, 2008 on 7:25 am
Sara-what a testimony in the midst of this journey. May you know the Lord’s presence and great Love and Mercy as you move onwards. Please know that since your phonecall I have been in daily prayer and petition for you.
Andrea Drysdale Johnson
on February 14, 2008 on 12:17 pm
Sara
Denise, Jason and I have been praying for you and will continue to pray for your complete recovery. Know that God loves you and so do we. While we can’t know His specific plans for us, we can rest assured that it is good
Sara, your openness during this time has been a blessing to me. It has helped me confirm that God is the only constant we can rely upon especially when our bodies ( in my case my heart) are is crisis. I don’t assume to know your concerns and fears about your health challenge, but ,my sister, our Father does and He is awesome.
His arms will hold us, His word will soothe us and His love will never leave us.
I pray for you to be comforted in His embrace, to rest in His word, and to bask in His love.
J. Tyler
on February 14, 2008 on 1:13 pm
Sara,
I am praying for you. May God grant you peace and rest during your recovery. His mercy is new each morning.
Warmly,
Robin (Klause) Joss- Rob’s Sis
on February 14, 2008 on 2:09 pm
Dear Sara and Christopher,
My prayers are with you during this storm. I was diagnosis with stage 2 breast cancer July 24, 2004. My daughter had just turned 7 years old. I am a single parent and had the support of my family, friends, church family and co-workers. I had prayer warriors from the east coast to the west coast, all over the country. God will see you through this storm just hold on to his unchanging hand. I had three surgeries, chemo and radiation. I lost my hair after my first chemo treatment. You will come through this journey in your life a better and stronger person. I was turning heads at work because I went to work throughout all of this and never missed a beat. I took days off in between the first and third surgery, but was up and back to work. I did not want to sit at home and feel sorry for myself that is not my makeup, so work was my therapy.
The Lord will give you the strength you need:
” But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40: 31 The Lord will add years to your life as he did Hezekiah. Always remember you are not alone in this journey. Take care and may the Lord bless you always.
Sincerely,
Francine Howell
San Diego, Ca
on February 14, 2008 on 5:33 pm
Sarah,
My prayers are with you during this time. May you feel the Lord’s peace and continue to grow through this.
I agree with J. your openness during this time has been a blessing. It allows us all to remember that God is the only one to sustain our life. How easy it is to forget!
Continuing to pray….
Margaret Veenstra
on February 14, 2008 on 8:11 pm
Chris, Sara and kids…not to be a broken record but…you remain in our thoughs daily.
Keep fighting!
-Shabby
on February 14, 2008 on 8:51 pm
Howie,
May the Spirit fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee!
Yo heart you!!!!!
Kimber, Benj and the Mighty Baby Jae
on February 14, 2008 on 8:54 pm
Sara,
We continue to pray for you all the time throughout the day and evening. The children are praying too. We love you so much. As the Spirit is there with you constantly, we are going before the Throne on your behalf. You are bathed in prayer and love. We pray specifically for your complete healing, for a pain-free recovery from your surgery, for peace of heart and hope in your spirit, for peace for Chris and the kids, for strength to face each moment of each day, for laughter even amidst this trial, for joy that only God can bring, for the remembrance that you have SO many people who love you so much. We’re standing with you.
Love,
Michelle
on February 14, 2008 on 9:44 pm
Sara and Chris,
You are in our thoughts and prayers, get well soon!
Rob and Jo-Ellen
on February 15, 2008 on 10:53 am
Sara and Chris,
I am praying through Psalms 16 and 118 for you.
With much love,
Chrissy
on February 15, 2008 on 5:22 pm
Sara,
Our prayers add to the continual flow of intercession for you. We are believing and beseeching the Lord for complete healing for you. May He rise with “healing in His wings” for you. (Malachi 4:2) We are also praying through Psalm 18 for you–a Psalm we walked through during our toddler’s cancer wait. Jesus is holding you–know all your brothers and sisters are lifting you up and filling your sails–so many of us long to hug you and to speak words of Life over you!–be so blessed as you lean back on God’s chest and listen to His heartbeat– His child in His arms…
“Fear not, O Zion:
let not your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you with His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:16-17)
Sara, your name is “joy” to us! That abundant life that Christ speaks of has always been such an incredible gift to everyone around you. You are greatly loved and adored here in Tennessee and held tightly in our hearts.
Much Love to you and to your precious family.
Love, Gillian (Griffith) Tucker
“Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
Replace the evil years with good.
Let us your servants see you work again:
let our children see your glory.
And may the Lord our God show us His approval (NLT)
and establish the works of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands. (ESV) Psalm 90: 14-17
on February 16, 2008 on 2:54 pm
Hi Sara,
I’ve postponed posting because I was waiting until I had something “exceptional” to say. But I think your insights are so extraordinary. I was hoping to encourage you but instead you are encouraging me (and everyone else). Especially as I get ready to wait through another of my mom’s cancer surgeries. We are praying for you in Texas.
Love, Val
on February 17, 2008 on 11:18 pm
peooo peooo peooo
You can borrow my lasers if you need ‘em.
brian
on February 21, 2008 on 10:13 am
Sarah,
As I was praying for you yesterday, these words came to my mind:
GIVER OF LIFE.
All of us on this website are holding virtual hands and praying in agreement for your complete healing.
Love to all!
Debbie
on March 6, 2008 on 3:41 pm
Hi sara
I only met you once. I worked with Susan (your mother-in-law) at
St. Linus School. I have thought about you daily since Susan let
us know about your illness. I have you in my prayers and heart daily.
God will help you through all of this – of course, I know you already
know this. Just know you are prayed for and thought about all the
time.
love
Yvonne