YOUR PRAYERS

Many of you already know from our e-mail that Rita has been diagnosed with meningiomas in her brain from a recent MRI. We know that she has one large tumor deeper in her left side of her mid brain and another smaller one high on the right side closer to the outside of the brain. The one in the mid brain is the most concern because of its location to the pituitary gland and other blood vessels and sinuses. This tumor lesion measures 4.2 cm at its largest position. The one on the right measures only 7x12mm and its position is less concern. She will be seeing a neurosurgeon after the first of the year and the plan at this early stage is to consider her for the Gamma Knife. The Gamma Knife is a radiation machine that uses high energy 201 gamma rays to penetrate and go directly to the tumors and remove them completly, God willing. We are praying that this technology can be used for Rita as it will keep her from a craniotomy, and no risk of bleeding or loss of cerebralspinal fluid and all the other complications and recovery that occur with invasive surgery. Rita has a wonderful family physician who has been most attentive to her and through her physician's aggressiveness and also her experience as a researcher these terrible tumors have been detected we believe early. Since Rita also works for the University Medical Center, our care can be managed more closely and with more sharing of expertise and support from her employer. Rita was blessed by the fact that when she received the news from her physician at work and before she called me, she had a Christian co-worker to share this with and be in prayer. Meningiomas grow slowly so we do not really know how long they have been there but Rita's symptoms of left side tingling and headaches have only most recently been a consistent irritation. Rita is strong and her faith is strong and we are of course encouraged by the hopeful diagnosis at this early time and only GOD will be able to control the events in our lives. We pray for complete identification of the initial diagnosis and subsequent healing and your prayers will of course be such strength and support for us. The class I participated in and most recently subsituted in leading on prayer and intercessory prayers, at our CMA church, was certainly appropriate for us and does remind us of the power of prayer in our lives and gives us strength.

GOD is testing us now and we must remain faithful, as He does with us. We praise GOD for our wonderful church family and their now prayers and concerns for us and we are anxious to move forward as soon as possible to restore Rita to her wonderful health and faithful living. GOD is with us and we ask you to walk with us also and we know you will. I will of course use our BLOG site to provide updated information as we undergo this journey and join with GOD as He works his wonders in our lives. We are always glad to hear directly from all of you anytime. Thank you and again keep us always in your thoughts and prayers.. GOD BLESS.