Home  Belief Bits.com  Healings	As we See the World through God's Eyes, Our Belief & Faith Grows.
	Kevin shares his thoughts and beliefs with us ( In the Middle of a Miracle, Part 2 )   this situation     PREV   this author NEXT PREV     other auth' NEXT PREV other situations NEXT PREV this author NEXT      other authors
	Seeking  Bible  upd:11/12/09

Walking around the hospital today was almost surreal.  There were so many times that I could not believe that we were actually there for me.  The hospital is amazing but sad at the same time.  I could not help but to look around at all of the cancer patients and wonder about their eternity.  I wondered if they had come to the "Number One Cancer Center in America" expecting a miracle and put all of their faith and hope in the doctors and treatments.  And I wondered of those, how many would leave broken and hopeless having heard that their condition was terminal or untreatable.  But as sad as this thought was, it did inspire me to not be as one of these.  Instead deciding to put ALL of my faith and hope in Almighty God.  Please continue to pray for us to remain upbeat and optimistic.  I know there are people watching to see how we handle this situation.

I realized Sunday that He [God] just is not ready to give me the complete healing that I feel He will give to me.  My work with this episode of my life is not done yet.  There are still people to share this with, and experiences that I must endure, so that I can relate to others.  I just feel bad to have to share this with you.  I wish more than anything that I could tell you that I had a complete healing and that I can end this part of my life.  But God is still in control and knows what tomorrow holds.

The doctor that met with us was also very good and forthcoming with information.  He basically said that the success rate (meaning that the cancer has gone and stays in remission) was around 40% for my type of cancer.  He also went over the side effects of the stem cell transplant procedure.
None of this scared Cyndi or me, but it did solidify our decision to not do the [stem cell] transplant.

Also during this time, God had been speaking to Cyndi and I about our faith in Him.
During this whole experience, it seems that we had been putting our faith in the treatments and the doctors that God had led us to.
But we never really put our faith in God, just [in] the “vessels” that He was using to heal me.

One night Cyndi awoke with a verse in her head.  The verse was, “Go in peace.  Thy faith hath made thee whole.”  Cyndi told me this the next morning and wasn’t sure of where the verse was in the Bible.  I told her that it was from the story of the woman with the issue of blood who touched Jesus’ garment and was healed.  He (Jesus) told her afterwards, “Go in peace.  Thy faith hath made thee whole.”

The interesting thing about that story of healing is that the gospel of Luke tells us that she had spent her life savings for twelve years, trying to be cured, and she had sought all the doctors, but none could cure her.
It was only when she sought out Jesus, and had faith in Him alone for healing, that she was healed.  I don’t know about you, but when Cyndi and I read that passage in Luke chapter 9, we saw many similarities between the woman’s story and my story.

All of that plus much prayer has led us to a major decision.  And that decision is to not do any treatments, but rather allow God to be the sole one behind my healing (which I still believe wholeheartedly that He is going to do).  I feel that if we still believe that God heals people, then He doesn’t need the help from any doctor or drug to accomplish His healing.

This, by no means, is an indication that Cyndi and I are anti-doctor.  We still feel that God uses doctors and medicine to heal people and we have no problem going to the doctor ourselves.  We simply feel that in my condition, God has told us that He alone would be the one to heal me, without the help from any doctors.  This has been a major leap of faith for us, but also very exciting at the same time.  We’re excited to see what God is going to do in our lives as a result of this decision.

And, honestly, since making this decision, our lives have been great.  I have such a peace about this and feel closer to God now, than I have ever felt in my whole life.  I don’t expect everyone to understand this decision.  And I don’t expect everyone to agree with it.  But what Cyndi and I would like is for your continued prayers.  This is the path that we feel God is leading us down and we are going to stay on this path until God heals me, or He changes the path.

I’m still sticking to my plan of allowing God to have complete control of my body and to give Him all of the credit for the healing that I expect Him to bring about.

And this leaves Cyndi and I at a crossroads of which we have no idea of which direction to proceed down.

I have trusted God throughout this whole ordeal.  And I still do.  I can honestly say that I haven’t made a decision based on what I wanted.  Why would I choose to endure the nausea of the chemotherapy and all of its side effects?  Why would I choose to leave my family and friends for eight long weeks in another state to do treatment that most people couldn’t comprehend?  And why would I choose such a rigid diet that eliminated so many of the foods that I love?  The answer is that it wasn’t me making these choices.  I was simply following God’s leading in every step.  And now Cyndi and I must wait for the next step.  We are still trusting that God is going to heal me completely.  It’s just a matter of how He’s going to do it.

Last night Cyndi shared with me the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea with Moses.  She pointed out that as they stood on the bank of the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army pursuing them, they had no idea of how God was going to save them.  And then God did something that He had never done before, He parted the sea.  And as a result, the Israelites’ lives were spared.  And then Cyndi brought the message home when she said that we were like the Israelites waiting.  We have no idea of how God is going to heal me but we must simply wait on Him and His timing, and expect God to do something extraordinary.

Well I won’t keep you any longer.  I do thank you for taking the time to read this and to commit to praying for our family and my healing.

We definitely need God’s guidance and wisdom [in selecting the next treatment to do].  Oh, and His healing touch would be nice as well.

I believe that God leads you to the correct [next] treatment option.

          [ Question:  If it didn't work, did God lead you to it? ]
Yes, you are being obedient to God by doing what God leads you, and guides you, to do.

          [ Question:  What about divine healing? ]
God can choose to heal us at any time He wants to, but that's all at God's option.

          [ Question:  Where do you go from here? ]
I feel that God is leading me to do the stem cell transplant treatment next.

Kevin may be getting a little weaker, because Cyndi says he hasn't been eating well.  (Monday 8/10/09)

Roxanne visited with Kevin and Cyndi, to encourage Kevin to accept / claim his divine healing from God.  (Thursday evening 8/13/09)
Roxanne's request:  Please be praying for each of us, that we are all in tune to God, and that we will see His hand, and feel His presence.

On Saturday morning 8/15/09, Kevin woke up unusually lethargic, with slurred speech, and difficulty feeding himself, so Kevin was taken, as the Ocala Oncologist had previously recommended, to the Shands Hospital emergency room.

Cyndi said that Shands' personnel are going to admit Kevin to the Shands Hospital, because he is dehydrated, and may have a touch of Pneumonia.  They are also going to do an MRI on his brain (scan for any cause of slurred speech, but Kevin's speech is already better), and may drain any excess lung fluid he may have.

Don's observations:  The spiritual warfare continues.  Our prayers are needed for yet another battle.  But since we are all placing Kevin in God's hands, this situation may be more about Kevin finding God's purpose for his (Kevin's) life.

Roxanne:  I spoke to Cindi last night (Sunday 8/16/09) and we are  in agreement that this is between God and Kevin.  This is that pivotal moment for God and Kevin.  I am praying and fasting that Kevin will see God and know exactly what God has for him , and what his future holds, in a way that only Our God can reveal.  I know that God is Real and that we serve a living God that makes no mistakes.  He is never late, and always right on time.  I still stand on the promise of God for Kevin's healing, and I will continue to seek that until God shows me otherwise.  I know that you will stand with me in that gap for Kevin.  God bless you All.

Because Kevin had arrived at the Shands emergency room in a lethargic state, the Shands legal department was recommending that Cyndi be required to sign off on the stem cell replacement treatment.  However, the doctors decided to attest to Kevin's soundness of mind, rather than require Cyndi to sign off (on something that someone, who the doctors would be saying may not be of sound mind, wants to do).  So when Cyndi arrived at the hospital on Wednesday, Kevin had already signed off, on his own.

It consists of 2 to 3 chemo cycles, each of which consists of 3 to 4 days of chemo, followed by 18 to 17 days of recovering from the chemo (3 weeks total per cycle).  After 6 weeks, the doctors at Shands will evaluate Kevin, and either go for the stem cell transplant then, or try another 3-week chemo cycle, followed by another evaluation.

For the first 3-week cycle, the chemo days are Thursday, Friday at 5PM, and Saturday at 5PM (8/20-22/09).

No cancer in fluid taken from Kevin's lungs.

Doctors are saying that they are very pleased.  (Saturday 8/22/09)

Kevin had a good night last night.  Took a shower this morning (Saturday), and ate pretty good.
Kevin is more alert (totally awake), heart sounds good, breathing sounds good.

Because Shands is a U of F research center, the doctors travel in large groups (9 in this case), from patient to patient.

Roxanne's observation:  God wanted those 9 doctors to see Kevin for who he is:  a person.

Kevin declines a tracheotomy solution to his breathing problems.
Kevin is sleeping most of the day.

The medics are experimenting with different oxygen masks, trying to get Kevin's oxygen intake levels up to what is needed.

Don's observations:  It appears that we are entering a touch and go (roller coaster) era of uncertain ups and downs in this physical world of modern medical treatments.

As manifestations of God's spiritual Divine Healing for Kevin unfold, we all need to be doing as Roxanne stated:  "I am praying and fasting that Kevin will see God and know exactly what God has for him , and what his future holds in a way that only Our God can reveal."

It is incredible / amazing to see, just how patient God is, with each of us.

Roxanne:  I have been in touch with Cindi quite a lot these last few days.  It has been hard for her since Kevin wants to pursue the treatment.  As I was speaking with Cindi on this, I believe God gave me the words for her, and said that, she needed to let Kevin make his own decisions for the treatment, since this is now between Kevin and the God that he serves.  God can start and stop anything, and that we need to just keep seeking that Kevin will see God in ALL of this.  And we DO serve a MIGHTY GOD indeed.  I keep lifting all of these [things] to GOD, because I know that HE sees everything, and will not miss a beat with Kevin, Cindi, the Children and the Doctors at Shands.  God Bless Each of You.

Finally, on Monday evening (8/24/09), while he was driving, he said the Holy Spirit was all over him for about 1/2 hour, to pray for Kevin.  When he tried to say his own words, the feeling would go away, but stayed intense as long as he just prayed.  About 12 hours later (see next event), it was revealed to Cyndi why this was happening.

the doctors at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL, do not expect Kevin to make it through the day (today, Tuesday 8/25/09).

Please pray.

Kevin's blood pressure is extremely low.  They are giving him medicine to try and get it to go back up.  (8/25/09)

Kevin's blood pressure is back up some.  However, they have given him all the "raise blood pressure" medicine that is allowed for the time being.  Kevin is still sleeping.  (8/25/09 3PM)

No additional updates to report.  (8/25/09 11:59 PM EST)

Wednesday morning (8/26/09 10:20AM):  The doctors are saying that Kevin is considered to be "brain dead", because not enough oxygen has been getting to his brain.  His heart is still beating, because he is on a respirator.

Pray:  James 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Agree:  Matthew 18:19-20  Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I [Jesus] in the midst of them.

Believe:  Mark 11:24  Therefore I [Jesus] say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Ask:  John 16:23-24  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name [in Jesus' name], he will give it you.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.