dad is a good supervisor, originally uploaded by newportl.

so good, he doesn’t notice maggie covering her face with highlighter

Hello everyone, this is Charissa, Mom and Dad�s youngest daughter.� I just wanted to give a few updates.

Dad started on the chemotherapy drug Revlimid again this week.� So far he is doing well, but we need to pray that he does not have another allergic reaction to the medication.� This time it is given in conjunction with steroids and that should keep him from developing an allergic reaction to the drug.

He is also still in a good deal of pain from the shingles, so keep praying for that to subside.� This week, after a doctor�s appointment, he stopped by my work and we went out to lunch together, my work is about 1 mile from his doctors.� Well, the result of it is that Dad discovered a new place to get cake.� For those of you who know Dad, you know that he loves cake and sweets, and even more now since his taste buds have changed as a result of being on chemo.� Thom and I came to Duncanville today to help mom and dad a little, but not before being asked by Dad to pick him up another slice of cake!

Mom is leaving for Africa Oct. 5-15 to meet the wives of the men that dad has been working with for year and other Christian women.� This is something that they both wanted to happen for a long time.� They are looking forward to starting ministry among African women.� We are thankful that dad is well enough for her to go � but all the same, Thom and I will be right here keeping an eye on things while she is gone.

Thank you for your continued prayers,

Charissa

Dear Friends and Family,

This is Anna, Steve & Gaynelle’s eldest daughter, writing (from mom’s email account) to give you an update on my dad and mom. I’m in Texas right now for a visit. This week mom is in Virginia Beach with a dear friend for a little R&R, so Dad and I are enjoying some quality time together. On Sunday my sister Charissa and I took dad out for Father’s Day — we attended church together and lunched at dad’s favorite spot: The Pancake House. Some things never change!

The last update you received was written by Sarah - Luke’s wife. She told you about dad’s surgery so that he could switch to Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) and the possibility of him starting a new chemotherapy drug soon.

In early June, after the PD surgery site had healed, mom and dad began attending the Peritoneal Dialysis clinic to learn how to use and manage the new dialysis technique. The training was to last four days and by the fifth day they were supposed to be set to go on their our own with this new home dialysis. They were looking forward to the freedom that this self care gives as well as lowering the risk associated with hemodialysis (The drop in blood pressure after getting off the hemodialysis machine on April 20th is probably what caused Dad’s health crisis).

Unfortunately, halfway through the clinic dad experienced a problem with the fluid from the peritoneal dialysis causing too much pressure on his peritoneal cavity. At first, doctors thought it was a “classic leak,” but after investigation, it was discovered that the volume of fluid had stressed the abdominal wall, provoking a double hernia. Supposedly these were already present, but had never presented themselves before this procedure.

As you can imagine, this news was quite overwhelming. A what?! This was an unexpected turn of events…another “hurdle.” Mom described it being like hitting a wall that they didn’t even know was there…but the Lord is enabling them to move forward with hope and peace. An operation is scheduled to repair these hernias on Monday, June 26th.

As Sarah (Luke’s wife) explained, Dad met with his oncologist in early June and planned to start a new round of chemotherapy next week. However, due to the recent setback, he will wait at least 2-4 weeks after the surgery to ensure complete healing before beginning chemotherapy. He will also return to the PD clinic at that time to complete it and attempt to slowly transition to peritoneal dialysis.

The chemotherapy drug that dad and his oncologist, Dr. Maisel, decided would be best is called Revlimid. It is similar to Thalidomide, which was given to dad in December, but is said to be a much more effective drug, without the many negative side effects. This new drug has been approved for several cancers but is still a “specialty drug.” Although it can be used for Multiple Myeloma, the co-pay is currently 25% of the retail price ($8400). This would be extremely expensive, so we are praying for the drug to be fully approved for Myeloma (this is in process) before dad’s treatment begins. It should then move into the insurance formularies and thus have a normal co-pay.

We thank you so much for all your continued prayers and support. The body of Christ is an incredible thing and it has truly been amazing to experience it in this way.

Praise the Lord for answered prayers:

1. The Peritoneal Dialysis catheter site in dad’s stomach has healed well.

2. The Lord has sent some practical provision their way with some meals, a generous gift of regular cleaning help and for this week…yours truly (smile)

3. Dad’s white & red blood cell counts as well as platelets have increased some!

4. Their relationship with Denton Bible Church is still transitioning well and the programs in Africa are now beginning to receive manuals again, recruit new students and have formal graduations. Praise the Lord! Dad has written a detailed email to send to everyone with his perspective on everything since November 24, 2005. He says he has more to add, but it will come with that communique.

Please pray:

1. For dad’s surgery Monday, June 26th– he goes in at 10 a.m. and surgery begins at noon. It should last approximately 3 hours. He will be under general anesthesia.

2. For subsequent proper healing (this will involve some rather uncomfortable incisions).

3. For dad to be able to continue PD. Once he is set up on that doctors will surgically remove the hemodialysis port from his chest. This port is much more susceptible to infection; the port in his stomach for PD is more long-term and he will be able to shower with it, etc.

4. For mom to receive true rest and restoration during her time away with her friend & the Lord (she returns Sunday)! It is much needed.

5. For the cancer drug Revlimid to be approved for Myeloma before dad begins treatment, so as to make it affordable.

6. Continued prayer for practical needs to be met (shopping/meal preps, etc).

7. Continued prayer for the men and women in Francophone Africa as well as the Haitians in France. Also for their relationship in ministry with Denton Bible Church and of course with BTCP. They need the support and encouragement from both these two fine ministries as well as you all.

8. Dad so misses his travel and time in Africa and realizes that he may not be able to go back to be with “his men” and friends as he says. He was quite close to so many. Pray that God would give him peace and also ideas on how to continue to work and encourage them. He’s looking at every conceivable possibility, some of which we may have to veto.

9. Mom is planning her first trip for this fall to work with the wives of some of these pastors. This has been in the works for several years, but now it’s a reality. Lord willing, she hopes to start in Togo in October and then to Tunisia at some future date.

Thank you, again, for your faithfulness to my parents. May the Lord bless you and keep you!

In His Hands,
Anna Stover
for the Newport Family

Bigger … smaller. Way to go Maggie!

The slacker marathon photographer decided to finally send me some pictures. Here’s one of Sarah halfway through the race!

Tomorrow morning, Sarah starts her half-marathon at 7 AM. Cheer her on in spirit!

Channeling Marylin Monroe.