10/26/13 Update

" So many times in this week, I forget I'm a cancer patient" exclaimed Pastor Sue. She sounds so energetic and confident again just like the Pastor Sue we know. I couldn't say anything more but just thank God for His gracious love and praise Him for His wondrous power.

Pastor Sue has been taking Tarceva for two weeks now. Thanks to our faithful prayer warriors, we have seen the effectiveness of the medication and so far minimal side effects. This was our first prayer request in last update letter! Besides, we would like to specially thank our meal team as Pastor Sue enjoys every bit of the food and juice with your love in the recipes.

Another good news is that the new insurance plan has been approved. Pastor Sue will transfer to see her new oncologist at UCSD starting early November. As you can see, God has been working mightily through this process, and our second prayer request has just been answered. Hallelujah! Afterwards, her progress from the treatment will be evaluated and tested. Please refer to the dates in Pastor Donald's update.

Below is the update and prayer requests from Pastor Donald:

After taking TARCEVA pills for two weeks:

(1) Pastor Sue's condition has been stabilized. Pains are under control through taking Advil and short-of-breath symptom has been alleviated.
(2) Side effects are manageable. Slight skin rash.
(3) New Insurance is approved. Will transfer to UCSD on 11/1.
(4) Will have blood test on 11/4 for liver and kidney functions.
(5) Will have CT/MRI scans at the end of November for progress.

Prayer Items:

(1) Pray for the smooth transition after 11/1, since TARCEVA needs to be approved by the new insurance again.
(2) Pray that the liver and kidney functions are untouched.
(3) Pray for maximum effects and minimum side effects.

10/16/13 update

I just talked to Pastor Sue on Wednesday evening. She sounded very clam and thankful. Once again, she expressed her appreciation to all brothers and sisters for your prayers and love. We thank God for His special provision and intervention. She was able to start the medication Tarceva on 10/12 which was five days before the insurance company approved it on Wednesday. In around a month, she will be scheduled to be evaluated. By that time, hopefully she will be transferred to UCSD Medical Center. Praise the Lord that after taking Chinese herbal medicine, her appetite has been getting better and her nausea has disappeared.

Please continue to pray for:

1. The best result and the least side effects of the medication (Tarvceva). The side effects usually show up a couple weeks later.
2. Smooth transition to UCSD Medical Center on 11/1/13. She is in the process of changing the insurance company.
3. May God orchestrate every detail behind the scene in the transferring process so that there won't be any delay of the treatment.
4. May God clear the fluid retention in her lung.
5. May God ease her pains and protect her from other unexpected pains.
6. Continue to pray for good night sleep, good appetite, and physical strength.
7. Continue to ask God for the inner peace from above, and help Pastor Sue to keep focusing on God Himself instead of her feelings and the circumstances.
8. Continue to cry out to our Almighty God for complete healing in His way.
9. May God continue to reveal His glory through the whole process.
10. May God accomplish His perfect will for Pastor Sue with no interference from the enemy.

10/10/13 update

Dear all,

Pastor Sue just returned from her oncologist visit at Sharp today. The doctor recommended Tarceva (targeted cancer therapy) as soon as possible. Based the MRI result, it showed possible brain metastasis. She currently has some fluid in her right lung. As a result, Pastor Sue will not participate in the study group at UCSD. The information we received today might be different from what we have asked for; however, let us not grow weary, but keep focus on our Almighty God. Nothing is impossible for Him!

Please continue to pray for the following items:

1. The insurance company will authorize the use of Tarceva as soon as possible. The functions of Tarceva include reducing the fluid retention in her lung and preventing the cancer cells from growing.

2. May God maximize the effectiveness but minimize the side effects of the use of Tarceva.

3. May God clear the fluid retention in her lung.

4. May God ease her pains and protect her from other unexpected pains.

5. Continue to pray for good night sleep, good appetite, and physical strength.

6. Continue to ask God for the inner peace from above, and help Pastor Sue to keep focusing on God Himself instead of her feelings and the circumstances.

7. Continue to cry out to our Almighty God for complete healing.

8. May God continue to reveal His glory through the whole process.

9. A smooth transition to UCSD on 11/1.

10. Ask God to accomplish His perfect will for Pastor Sue with no interference from the enemy.

10/1/13 Update

Dear all,

Praise the Lord and thank your for all your prayers. Pastor Sue was able to sleep a lot better in the past few days. Her pelvic pain has alleviated. Both MRI and PET scan are authorized and scheduled. After seeing another oncologist at UCSD on last Friday, they confirmed that she's a good candidate to participate in the clinical trial. If the MRI result show no brain metastasis, she will be able to enroll in the targeted therapy study, which is proved to be very effective for Asian women with her currant diagnosis: stage 4 adenocarcinoma.

Following are some updated prayer requests:

1. May God contain the growth of the cancer cells and prevent them from spreading to other parts of the body especially PROTECT HER BRAIN so that she can be qualified for the targeted therapy.

2. May God ease her pains and protect her from other unexpected pains.

3. Pray for the best results from PET scan on this Thursday, 10/3, and MIR on next Tuesday,10/8.

4. Continue to pray for good night sleep, good appetites, and physical strength.

5. Continue to ask God for the inner peace from above, and help Pastor Sue to keep focusing on God Himself instead of her feelings and the situations.

6. Continue to cry out to our Almighty God for complete healing.

7. May God continue to reveal His glory through the whole process.

8. Pray that the insurance company will allow her to transfer to UCSD on 11/1.