Susan Woods

This came to me from Jan Abernathy today;
For those of you who know Susan Woods, this post from her Caring Bridge account:

My apologies to all who have patiently waited for me to post an update, but our flight was delayed and we were very late getting in last night. I am still floating on cloud nine from the news that I am not going to do any more chemo at this time.

We had very good news this trip and my doctor was very pleased with my response to the chemo. Life is good and God is great! For anyone reading that does not believe in the power of prayer and miracles, I hope my news convinces you God is real and is still in control. I went from a very bleak prognosis of being told initially I might have 6-12 months and if I was lucky with the chemo 1-2 years to a prognosis with hope for more years and slight possibility of a cure.

Dr. Seiffker did not have the actual radiology report, but she did have the pictures to compare to all of the previous scans and it was very obvious the tumor in my lung had shrunk more than 50%. She does not like for patients to need the 5th and 6th rounds of the aggressive chemo regimen I have been taking because the few that have taken it have experienced nerve damage, particularly in the hands and feet. She feels we are ready to consult with a thoracic surgeon to see if the remainder of the metastatic tumor in the lung can be surgically removed. She was not in favor of doing radiation surgery since it is a metastic tumor and she said the chance of them getting it all with clean margins is not as good with the radiation as it is with surgery. She very much wants me to have the surgery at MD Anderson in Houston.

I am going to a surgeon at St. Josephs in Atlanta and going to one in Houston to see what they both have to say. I would love to have the surgery in Atlanta because it would be easier (convenience, time and financially) on my family; However, if it appears the surgery and recovery will be best for me if done at MD Anderson, that is exactly what we will do.

Dr. Seiffker said I have been one of the better responses of patients in the trial. Based on the response she feels confident that I have gained more years and even a slight chance that I may be cured with the surgery. Only time will tell if this be the case. They will continue to follow me with scans every 3 months then progress to every 6 months after the surgery. She does have a couple of patients that have no recurrence of cancer since their treatment and surgeries for 3-5 years. Remember the trial has only been going on for 5 years.

We are optimistic and still frog (fully relying on God). Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. God has used y'all in our lives in a big way. You have been such a blessing to us. Love and God's blessings to you all.

Valerie and Baby

Hey everyone,

Valerie Flynn is in labor at Northside Forsyth. William got to the hospital at 9:30 this morning. He took a 6:30am flight out of Orlando. Kathy is still down there and can't get home til later tonight. She's driving, with 2 other people. Valerie just got her 1st dose of pain medications. Melissa said she is doing well.

Will let everyone know how things are progressing as we get updates!

jason

Shower Sunday

Hey everyone,

Don't forget the baby shower this Sunday (the 7th of Feb) for Rachel and Jason Freeman.

Also, thanks to all who came and helped at the church clean-up today!

Jason

Bible Study Reminder

Diane wanted to let everyone know that if you want her to get a study guide for you for the new Ladies Bible Study starting in two weeks, please let her know ASAP. We will be using "Trusting God" (Even When Life Hurts) by Jerry Bridges. Her phone number is 678-965-4678 and her email address is damoschool@yahoo.com.

Spring Cleaning

Hey everyone, don't forget about our spring cleaning this Saturday. It starts at 10:15.

Sherry has suggested this: We have two vacuums and one extension cord that I know of. We might need an extra extension cord so we can run both vacuums at the same time, and maybe some dust cloths or similar type stuff.

Thanks!

Ladies Bible Study

Calling All Ladies
Coming Soon (probably Feb. 14th)

• Praying together
• Bible Study
• Sharing

Sunday Mornings 8:30 - 9:30

Former Children's area

"Trusting God" (Even When Life Hurts) by Jerry Bridges

Questions??? - See Diane Amos or call 678-965-4678

If you want Diane to order/reserve a study guide for you, please let her know this week...

Haiti Mission

Hello everyone,

A student of mine, Laura Clancy, is going on an emergency missions trip the second week of February to Haiti. The group she is going with is a relief group taking over three tons of food in to Haiti to give relief to those who are hurting.

Laura has been to visit our church once before. She is a very missions-minded student who has a passion for our Lord. This is a fairly dangerous mission for Laura, but I've discovered that she is undaunted by that.

She needs, of course, two things. The first is prayer. The second is funds. I know many of us have remarked that we wish we could do something for someone in Haiti, and this is a good way to do it.

If you would like to support her financially, she needs about $1100 to make the trip. I know she has already collected a very small portion of this. Any funds you would like to give I can make sure she gets.

If you cannot support this mission financially, please commit to praying for her and for all of our brothers and sisters suffering in Haiti!

Thanks,

Jason