If I Could Fly Away

 

Psalm 55:6

And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

 If I Could Fly Away

If I could fly away and be at rest

And didn't have to face life's tests.

To another time or another place

Where the sun shone bright upon my face.

Where there was treasure at the end of the rainbow

And I could sing "Jesus Loves Me, This I know".

When wishes I made on stars came true

And even through clouds the sky was blue.

Where there was laughter instead of tears

And  peace and joy outweighed the fears.

Where I felt God's love each and every day

If only I had wings and could fly away.

-Patricia Rice

Sometimes we are so overwhemed with what we have ahead of us. We have to admit there's  a lot of fear sometimes, even when you try to trust the Lord with all our heart.

We have been through a lot in our 44 years of marriage and I try to remember all the times that God brought us through the rough times. There were so many times that we didn't understand what God was doing in our lives and I wanted to tell Him that we didn't want to go through any more trials. Even now, it's hard to understand His plan for us. But we know He's Already in Our Tomorrow and we're going to keep pressing on.

We had some news we really didn't want to hear late this afternoon.  The doctor called with the results of the bone marrow biopsy. He said Jerry would not be a candidate for the bone marrow/stem cell transplant. His leukemia is already been so aggressive, the chemo has not been as effective as expected.   At this time Jerry  will not being going into the hospital for more chemotherapy. We have an appointment Monday with a new oncologist and with our regular oncologist Friday for them to formulate a treatment option at this point. We know that God is still a good God whatever He may choose to do. Please continue praying for us.

We love you.

In His Hands.....

Still Taking One Day at a Time

The last couple of days have been good days for Jerry. He says he feels like he's recovering from a bad case of the flu.

We are already in prayer for the next stage of the treatment. As we posted earlier, we'll return Monday to Duke to meet with the transplant doctor. The appointment will take about 4 hours. We have to meet with a couple of doctors and they will explain the process to us and make sure that Jerry would be a candidate for a transplant. We'll also meet with a social worker to discuss the emotional part of the transplant. From reading about it, it can be a long process.

Tuesday, we will check into the hospital again for the consolidation chemotherapy. We'll be there for 6 days unless there are complications. The consolidation chemo is necessary to kill any remaining leukemia cells.

At this point we do not know all we will be facing for the transplant.  We will know more after Monday.

Thank you for your continued prayer!

Answered Prayer

We went to the doctor today looking for some hope, and left knowing that the Lord had heard the prayers of God's people.

When the doctor came into the examining room, he said that he had good news. Jerry's blood count was up and his white count is 3.9 and his platelets are up to 183. The doctor said he was well pleased and he could continue with Jerry's treatment. Jerry had another bone marrow biopsy. We won't know the results until Tuesday.

The doctor wants to move ahead and so Monday we have an appointment with a bone marrow/stem cell  transplant doctor for consultation about finding a blood donor for a stem cell transplant. 

Tuesday, Jerry will go back into the hospital for 6 days for another round of chemo. They have to keep doing the chemo to keep the leukemia knocked down and from spreading again.

We are prayerfully encouraged by the news today and ask that you continue praying!

In His Hands....

Brighter Day

I think I saw a smile this morning!!

We had two or three rough days, but we're so thankful. Jerry wasn't nauseous all day yesterday and so far today. We think it was some of his medication for his diabetes that was making him so sick. I think we finally have it under control. He is still so tired and weak sometimes.  I didn't know anyone could sleep so much. The doctor was worried at first, but told me that Jerry was still trying to recover from the strong dose of chemo.

I have to tell you. I'm very impressed with Duke Hospital. I had to call a couple of times. I didn't even have to press 25 numbers, give our mother's maiden name, our first pet's name, where we went to school at, or anything else. A nurse answered and put me right through to the doctor. It was amazing.

Tomorrow we go back to Duke Clinic for Jerry to have another bone marrow biopsy.

We have some specific prayer requests:

Safety traveling

Jerry's blood count to be good

For the count to be high enough that they can do the biopsy

Good report from the biopsy (we won't know about it right away)

That they will be able to continue Jerry's treatment

And today is my spiritual Birthday. 39 years ago I asked Jesus to come into my heart and Jerry rededicated his life. What a wonderful and special day that was.

Thanks again to everyone for the prayers, love, and support.

In His Hands.....

Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine

This has always been one of my most favorite hymns -

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

 Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest!
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with his goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

The third verse is my favorite - Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Thank you for the prayers!

Where's My Balcony?

About 6 years ago, we started a little Christian School in Elmira, West Virginia. I taught the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades all together in the same classroom. It was very exciting. I loved it and the kids. They still have a special place in my heart.  Ever once in a while, though, the kids could get to me or it might be one of those days when my emotions weren't under control. Sometimes I would be homesick for family and missing our grand kids so much I couldn't stand it. My classroom was upstairs and it had a balcony on it. So whenever the kids would get to me or I was having one of those days when the tears would come easily, I would just step out on my balcony for a few minutes and then I would be okay.

Today I need a balcony. No matter how strong you try to be sometimes, no matter how hard you pray or try to grab hold of God's promises,  it just doesn't work some days.

Jerry's having a bad day today and is dealing with nausea and he seems so tired and weak. So if you could please pray a little extra today for us, we would appreciate it.

We love you.

He Healeth the Broken in Heart

Lately it seems that I hear of so many friends and family that are going through sad situations and are carrying so many burdens and have broken hearts. Sometimes it's so hard to understand, but I know that God is real and He's able to answer prayers and heal broken hearts.

Psalm 147:3

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Broken Hearts

As I look around me, I see so much sorrow,

I see people who fear another tomorrow.

I see a mother's face stained from her tears,

For a child she's prayed for throughout the years.

I see broken homes full of sin and strife,

And children who search for a better life.

There's people who long for heaven's shore,

To see loved ones who have gone on before.

But there's One who can heal the broken heart,

And can give each person a brand new start.

He's the mighty Savior who hears our pleas,

And His mercy and grace can set us free.

-Patricia Rice

We have such an amazing God. Through our own situation, we see God working everyday. Sometimes our hearts are so heavy, not knowing what is around the next bend in our road. Sometimes all we have to hold on to are all the precious promises of God.

We love you and we can never express all the gratefulness we feel for the love, prayers, and support.

Home, Sweet Home

Home is such a beautiful word. To me home is a safe place, a restful and peaceful place, a place where you can be yourself.

And it's a place where there should always be lots of love.  Just imagine how great our heavenly home is going to be someday.

It was so great walking into our front door yesterday and being home.  I finally got everything unpacked and put away. It was so nice sleeping in our own bed and not being woke up two or three times during the night. Every morning at 4:00  they would come in and weigh Jerry. I always wondered why they did it at 4:00 in the morning. And then at 5:00 they would come in to take blood from him. Last night, we both actually slept all night long. It was so nice.

Please continue to pray that Jerry's blood count rises. His next appointment is Tuesday, July 26, at Duke Clinic. Hopefully, his blood count will be up enough that they can do another bone marrow biopsy.

Sometimes we can feel the prayers of God's people. Sometimes during the long nights at the hospital when Jerry felt his worst, we felt your prayers. Please don't stop praying! We love you!

HOMERUN!!!

We're home. Praise the Lord! Jerry's white count is still not where the doctor wants it to be, but he let us go home. We are so happy to be home. Jerry is still in the neutropenic stage with no immune system, therefore he's still in isolation until his white count comes up. He'll have to go back to Duke Clinic in a week and have another bone marrow biopsy and then the doctor will decide when to do the next chemo.

We are still so blessed. We have such an amazing God! And we are so grateful to our Pastor, our church family, our friends and family for all the support and love.

White Count is Rising along with Our Hope

Good news!!! The white count is up to .8 today along with all the other counts rising. We are so encouraged today.  Jerry's appetite is a little better and we rejoice in that. He had a kind of a brutal weight loss program - he lost 16 pounds so far. Please continue praying.

Also, we would like to express our love and sympathy for our dear friends, Johnnie and Debbie Brown & family at the loss of their son, Ryan. Our hearts break with theirs.

Wave That Hanky

We had a preacher friend, who's in heaven now, that whenever he would get excited in a service would start waving his handkerchief. We loved watching him. He wasn't afraid or ashamed to show his excitement over what Jesus had done for him.

There's been times in church services, we would hear a song that touched our hearts or the preacher would preach a good truth from the Word of God and we wanted to wave a hanky. I would always whisper to Jerry - wave your hanky. He would just look at me and smile.

Well don't be surprised if you see us waving our hanky sometime. The Lord is so good to us. He blesses us more than we'll ever deserve.

Also, keep that pew in the fifth row on the right (or is it the left?) reserved, because we'll be back.

Jerry's white count is .6 again today, but the platelets and red blood count is rising. Still waiting on the white count.

We love you and thanks again so much for your prayers, love, and support.

A Wonderful Surprise

The most wonderful and blessed surprise. One of our sons that lives in Cincinnati, Aaron, his wife, Jackie, and their four kids - Ethan, Emma, Elena, and Evan came into to see us a couple of days.

It was probably the best  medicine Jerry could have gotten. Later in the evening we had a mini family reunion. It's just always hard saying good-bye.

Jerry's white count is up to .6 today. His red blood count and platelets are still rising. The white count is slower than we want, but the doctor tells us not to be concerned.

We love you and covet your continued prayers.

Stuck on Third

We were discouraged this morning as Jerry's white count was back down, but one of the doctors came in and explained that the platelets and other parts of his blood had risen significantly, so the bone marrow is working. She said that this happens sometimes, so for us not to be discouraged.

Praying friends, we do ask that you pray that the white count comes up as needed in order for us to get to head home.

We love you!!

If There Was Always Sunshine

If There Was Always Sunshine

If there was always sunshine and never a cloudy day,

Would you still seek God and bow your head and pray.

If there was always sunshine and never a heartache or pain,

Then you could never feel the blessings of God's rain.

If there was always sunshine and never a tear stained face,

Then you could never know of God's amazing grace.

If there was always sunshine and storm clouds never passed by,

Then you would miss God's promises from a rainbow in the sky.

-Patricia Rice

We are encouraged because Jerry's white count is beginning to rise as they said it would. We know it could still be days before it might stabilize to where it's suppose to be, but we feel that it's another step in the right direction.

Thanks for all the many prayers. We love you.

 

It's A Wonderful Life

Jerry and I grew up together going to a little Southern Baptist Church out in the country. As an 8 year old boy Jerry accepted Jesus as his Saviour. He still remembers the difference he felt in his life. He knew there was a change. Then in his teen years he got away from the Lord.

We had been married about 3 years when we bought a house next door to an independent fundamental baptist preacher and church. We kept talking about going to church, but we could just never bring ourselves to do it.

One afternoon, Jerry was at work; and a man he worked with named Bill Barnett, started talking about the tribulation and the second coming. Jerry came under such great conviction. He knew he had been saved, but he wasn't sure about me. He left work early. When he got home he wanted to go over and talk to Pastor Melton, the preacher that lived next door. I didn't know what was going on. After talking to Pastor Melton, he rededicated his life. Then Jerry and him came over to the house.

Pastor Melton told me about Jesus and how I could know I could go to heaven. I had always believed in Jesus, but had never had a personal relationship with Him. It was on Tuesday, July 25, 1972 around 6:30 in the evening. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I even remember what I was wearing. I bowed my head and asked Jesus into my heart.

Our life was never the same. In March of 1973, we attended Pastor's School in Hammond, Indiana. There Jerry yielded to preach.

For these 39 years, all we have wanted to do was to serve God and be a good testimony. It hasn't always been the easiest life, especially being in the ministry. But we think of all the many blessings, the times we saw God working in people's lives,  and all the wonderful friends we have made through these years. The Christian life really is a wonderful life.

Pray that through this trial in our life that we can remain a good testimony and people can see Jesus through us.

Thank you so much again for all the support, love, and prayers. We love you!

Prayer Still Needed!!!

We're still playing the waiting game. Waiting for the white blood counts to come up. Jerry only had one small fever for the past 3 days. We are very encouraged about that. They have also took him off a lot his antibiotics. He also needs to recover his appetite. But we're still praying that we'll be heading home by the weekend. We really need your prayers in this matter. The Christian life is not always a high. Sometimes discouragement can set in and right now I think Jerry is feeling a little discouraged.  Going home by the weekend would be a wonderful break.

In His Hands!!!!

Rounding Third and Heading for Home

When we drive through Cincinnati, Ohio, on the outside of the Reds Stadium in giant letters are these words  "rounding third and heading for home". It was the signature sign off of Joe Nuxhall, a longtime Reds broadcaster.

I was thinking of those words and wanting everybody to know that we are rounding third and heading for home. They believe that by Wednesday or Thursday, Jerry's white count should be where it's suppose to be and hopefully by the weekend we can be heading HOME!

We're excited and also a little scared. Pray that I'll be a good caregiver. He'll be home for two weeks to recover and gain strength and then we'll have to return to the hospital for a week for Jerry to receive another chemo treatment.  We still have a long road ahead of us, but we're still believing we have a good God.

We love you and thanks again for all the prayers and support.

He Holds My Hand

It was a month ago yesterday on June 9 that we received the diagnosis of Jerry's leukemia. What a month. Getting the diagnosis, going into Duke Hospital, receiving the chemo, waiting for results, going into the lowest valley imaginable, waiting to climb to the top of the mountain again. We probably have went through every emotion that's possible for a human being to go through. But through all of this we believe God was right there with us holding our hands.

Isaiah 41:13

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

GOD HOLDS MY HAND

The Lord holds my hand as I go through each day.

He keeps me from falling and going astray.

When the way seems hard and storm clouds appear,

He holds my hand, and I have no fear.

When burdens are heavy and in times of need,

I'll hold tight to His hand and let Him lead.

His mercy and His love will never fail,

For in His hand is the print of the nail.
-Patricia Rice

We love you and have a great Sunday!!

Jerry's New Doctors

Last night Neal, Amy, Kyla, and Hayden came up for a quick visit to see PawPaw Rice and take Grandma Rice home for a night to do some laundry. The doctors thought I needed to get away for a little break.  (Jerry probably secretly told them I was driving him crazy)

Our goal  for Jerry to get to come home is for him to go off the antibiotics, stay fever free, and for his white blood count to rise to 1.0 and stay there consistently. That is what were working and praying toward.

Please continue praying. We love you.

A Simple Hug

Yesterday I went for a walk around our floor. It's considered the oncology unit. In the lobby I saw a woman and I didn't know what was wrong, sometimes you don't have to know all the details. But I could tell her heart was broken. She couldn't stop crying. I just went over and gave her a hug. Sometimes it's not words, because sometimes you don't know what to say and most of the time you don't have to say anything. Sometimes all you need is a simple hug.

Our prayer now is that the new red blood cells that are starting to rebuild themselves are free from leukemia. The next days are still very critical both for the leukemia cells and for Jerry not to get any infections or setbacks.

At this time we're still asking that you refrain from visiting for the next week until he gets his strength and immune system built back up.

We continue to covet your prayers and support. We love you!!

Victory

News from the Front Lines. One of the battles has been won!!! Now it's time to regroup, gain strength, and continue on to the next battle. This war is not over yet, but we have God on our side and the sword of the Spirit - The word of God and all of it's promises and all the prayers of God's people.

Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now,
hold your ground, and later, win a little more.

- Louis L`Amour

At 2:00 this morning, we couldn't sleep. So we watched a Louis L'Amour cowboy video. 

Today they are giving Jerry a blood transfusion to help him start regaining some of his strength. The chemo has took a lot out of him. His oxygen levels were very low today. But his white blood cell counts are already starting to rise. And that's a good thing.

We love you!

Jerry and Patricia

The News As We Understand It

Following the drawing of some liquid off my lung to send to the labs and make sure that it's not the reoccurring cause of the infection, confirmation was once again given that the chemotherapy has killed the leukemia cells. There are less than 5% leukemia cells left in my blood. They said by their treatment and standards, this necessitates no more chemotherapy at this time. They will be watching for the next 10-13 days to make sure my blood cells are growing back  healthy. No one can really predict that. So that's are next prayer burden. Meanwhile prayer is continually needed for these ongoing daily fevers and chills.

In His Hands,

Jerry and Patricia Rice

Thou Hast Done Wonderful Things

Today we'll find out the final results of the bone marrow biopsy. We are so hopeful. Yesterday they said the preliminary results look good, but they should tell us the final results late this afternoon.

We moved to Greenville on June 6, 2008. Three years later on June 9, 2011, they diagnosed Jerry with AML. We have always tried to follow God's will in our lives and when we moved here we felt that was God's will even though moving is always hard.
Little did we know that God was already working in our tomorrow. He already knew that 3 years later, Jerry was going to need to be in a good place where he could get good treatment. We really believe God doesn't make any mistakes. Sometimes at the time, it's hard to understand things and understand why God is directing our paths the way He does. But so many times we have seen God's hand working over and over in our lives.

Isaiah 25:1

O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things;

 thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Thanks to everyone again for all the prayers, love, support, the cards. We can never express enough how grateful we are.

We love you.

Day 15

Remember to be praying for the biopsy today. He's still having the fevers and the chills. They added three more antibiotics trying to figure out what kind of infection he has. They think he has some pneumonia in his lungs.

But we are grabbing hold of those  new mercies this morning.

We love you!

You're Invited

To What: Head Shaving Party

Date: July 5, 2011

Time: 2:30 a.m.

Place: Room 9121

At 2:30 this morning we had a "Head Shaving Party". One of our many favorite nurses, Chelsea, did the honors.

Cast your vote for the hairdo of your choice.



The Mohawk





The Curly Q





The Complete

Or Hat of Your Choice

Happy Birthday, America!!!!

Happy 4th of July to everyone! 

This is Day 14. They said Jerry would be at his lowest with all the blood counts and feel his very worst. We were hoping they would be wrong - they weren't.  He is feeling pretty discouraged today, but I told him that was okay. He had every right to. I told him only REAL MEN could go through what he's going through. They said after a couple of days of feeling so bad, hopefully he'll start building back up.  His temperature is finally back to normal right now. That is going to help a lot. The fevers and the chills took a lot out of him. They did a lung scan to make sure there was no fluid build up. There was some, but for right now they are just going to check it every day to make sure it doesn't get any worse.  Again please be praying about the bone marrow biopsy tomorrow.

When you go through something like this, you can't help but think about the past a lot and long for other days and remember other 4th of Julys. We grew up together as children. We've known each other our whole lives just about. So we were remembering our younger summer days of swimming at Pfafflin's Lake, eating watermelon, playing Red Rover, Hide and Seek, sparklers, going to drive-in movie theatres to watch the fireworks, just being with family.

We love you and still believing we have a good God!

Get Well Wishes from Sweet Grand kids

Our grand kids in Ohio made some Get Well videos for their Grandpa Rice. We watched them with smiles and tears.

The Roller Coaster Ride

Jerry said he feels like he's on a roller coaster ride with the fevers and the chills. And he never did like roller coaster rides. They keep running cultures and tests and they are still not sure what is causing the infection.

But, he wanted you to know that he was fighting the fight and keeping the faith. 
Please keep praying and especially that he will have a good night tonight. We love you!

Holy, Holy, Holy

This is DAY 13. Last night started out to be a peaceful night. But his fever started spiking again along with the chills. It was a bad night for him. Finally early this morning the doctor ordered some morphine to help him. He was able to get to sleep around 7:00 this morning. We had some great nurses that stayed right with him all night and worked with him.
Around 5:00 this morning I heard him singing - Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. So I just started singing with him -
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
We're going to miss everybody at church today.
We love you.

Prayers of Action

 John Wesley said “Prayer is where the action is." 

I believe there were a lot of people that went into action today praying for us. Your prayers are appreciated so very much.  He's resting now. They think he has a fungal infection. They added another antibiotic for fungal infection along with the other antibiotics he is on. Hopefully this will take care of the fevers and chills. He hasn't felt like eating all day. Pray that he will  have a more peaceful night and he can start getting some strength back.

Especially be praying for Tuesday. They will be doing another bone marrow biopsy to see how the chemo has worked. I'm praying that all the leukemia cells will be dead and they'll be able to start building him up again. If not they will have to do the chemo again, only in stronger doses.

I am so anxious about Tuesday. When I'm anxious I eat  salty crunchy snacks. I saved a whole bag of crunchy cheetos just for that day. I'll probably end up eating the whole bag waiting for the doctor to have the results. We might not know the final results until Wednesday.

We know that this is just the first phase of the chemo and we still have a long battle ahead of us.

But we also know God is already there preparing us for whatever we have to face.

We love you. Thanks again for the prayers, love, and support.

Extra Prayers Needed

It seems like the night time is always the hardest. The fevers seem higher, the fears seem more real,  loneliness overtakes you, and the tears don't seem to stop.

Please pray that they can get the fever under control today. He runs a fever constantly and is still so weak. We know this is part of the treatment, but the doctor told us he has an infection. They might add some more antibiotics later on today. He feels so bad.

The reason we chose the title of our blog as "God is Already in our Tomorrow" is because of the words of this song:

He's already in your tomorrow, He's walking one step ahead.
Whether it's joy or sorrow, He'll do just what He says.
He'll never leave you lonely in the land of the great unknown.
He's already in your tomorrow
Don't be afraid, keep pressing on.

We believe God already knew about our tomorrow, what we were going to be facing. But please do pray extra today.
We love you!

Day 11

Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.

  ~Author Unknown

I would be lying if I said we didn't have fears. Especially about things we're still facing that we know little about. It seems like every day there is a new experience. All we can do right now is to feed our faith or the fears would be more than we could handle.

You never think that you'll have to face a situation like this in your life. Just watching my husband lay there, so weak and feverish that he can't even hardly raise his head up.
Yesterday another fever/infection and Jerry was put on a stronger band of antibiotics that seemed to do the job. He was so weak, they flooded him with IV fluids. He seems to be doing better now. Today they are going to give him a blood transfusion. We're hoping to have a smoother day today.

One of the things that cheer us more than any other is when we think of our grand kids and all the funny and wonderful things they do to make your life exciting. And before I know it they'll be a smile on our face and laughter.

Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful words of encouragement you write to us on our blog.

We love you.