Tuesday August 19th, 2008

 Just a quick update my PET scan came back good with just a small amount more of shrinkage, thank you Lord. I have a MRI of my brain Thursday 21st at 7:30 am please pray that it comes back negitive. Thanks so much for all your prayers. This was a good birthday present for me as today i celebrated my 42nd birthday. Please really pray hard for Jessica Wentz and John Marr. John as just recieved more bad news that the cancer has spread to his bones and liver. Please keep these in your prayers. God bless and I will keep you updated. We love and appreciate each and everyone of you and remember God makes no mistakes..Pastor Russell Young

Saturday August 16th ,2008

 Hello again and thanks for stopping by. I had a PET scan Friday morning and I'm not really sure about the outcome so please pray for us. I did not get to talk to them about my scan so naturally I'm worried. Please pray for us that God will bless and touch us through this. We just came off vacation from the beach and had a great time. I seen several first this week. Number one was my mom and dad went with us to the beach. First time my dad has ever been to the beach. It done me alot of good to see my family together at the beach. Secondly I got stung by a jellyfish(very painful) but worth it for the family time. Please pray for Jessica Wentz as she is still receiving treatment and has been really weak and emotional which is very understandable with all she has been through. Pray for her family and mine as well. Remember to pray for the Crotts family and the Dula family as they really need your prayers throught the loss of their family members. I will keep you updated on my condition when I go to the doctor on Tuesday August 19th. thanks for all the continued prayers ,support and encouragment. May God Bless you all and thanks for taking the time to stop by and check on us. Remember the world will fail you but JESUS NEVER FAILS.

Pastor Russell Young

Friday August 1, 2008

 Hello and welcome again to my update page. Things are still going well as far as we know right now. My next PET scan is scheduled for August 15th and my doctors visit is for August 19th my birthday, what a present but on the other hand what a blessing. Never complain but always be thankful for everyday that you have. I ask each of you to please remember those on our pray request list with cancer. Jessica has recieved some good news as far as other options of treatment and is looking into those options. I want you to also please pray for little Ellie Potvin a 6yr old with stage 4 cancer. You can see her and check out the updates at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliepotvin. Please pray for all these needs. May God bless and have a wonderful day and remember Jesus Never Fails!!!!Also alot of people are wanting Jessica page so here it is also.http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jessicawentz

Pastor Russell Young

Monday July 21, 2008

 Welcome to everyone reading my updates. I ask you to please pray for the Larry Dula Family. He went HOME to be with the Lord today about 3pm. He was a true friend and a prayer warrior for so many. Please remember his wife Ruby as she is having a tough time. Please also remember AC Crotts and his family. He is in critical condition at Catawba Valley and his father-in-law passed away Saturday. this family is also facing some tough days so remember them. Jessica Wentz is still on chemo and doing as well as can be expected waiting on her date for the stem-cell transplant from her sister. Please pray for these along with Alvine Cline in our church who also has lung cancer. I'm very thankful that I am well enought to go and visit and pray with these who need our support. Please pray for us that God will continue to Bless and that we may give Him glory in all we do.God Bless each and everyone of you. Pastor Russell Young

Tue. July 15, 2008

 Just checking in to let everyone know I'm doing fine but want each of you to be much in prayer for Larry Dula. He is in the hospital at Valdese and needs your prayers. Larry was diagnosed with the same cancer I have. He also was diagnosed about the same time I was but he has been having bad complications from radiation and needs special prayer. Please also continue to  pray for Jessica Wentz as she continues chemo and is going to have another stem cell transplant. There is so many friends around us who are sick with cancer and needs your prayers. Please add these names to your prayer request list along with Alvin Cline, John Marr and A.C. Crotts. All of these have a form of cancer. Thanks again for praying for us and checking in. Thank you in the wonder name of Jesus.

Pastor Russell Young

Saturday July 12, 2008

Hello and welcome in the wonderful name of Jesus!! I recieved my test results back on my brain scan and everything was normal with no cancer. I can't thank the Lord enough for all He has done. Please continue to pray for us and our church. Please continue to pray for all those who have cancer listed on this site. I thank God for what He is doing and look forward to what He is going to do. He has kept me here for a reason and I don't want to miss it. Continue to remeber my family and the lost in our community. God Can do ALL Things. Believe It and Leave It..

Pastor Russell Young

Sun. July 6, 2008

 Hello to everyone and I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July, Thank God for our country and our freedom. I'm still doing well and we just got back from vacation at the beach. We had a wonderful time with the family. I just Praise the Lord for being able to go and have a good time. It is just a miracle to want the Lord has done for me and where He has brought me from since I was diagnosed with cancer. I give all the Praise and Glory to Him. Thanks for all the prayers and support from all of you and please keep praying. I go tommorrow for a brain scan. I know God is in control of everything and He makes NO mistakes. Please continue to pray for Jessica Wentz, Alvin Cline, AC Crotts, John Marr and Larry Dula. They all need your prayers. Thanks again and keep praying that God will bless our church and use us for His Glory. I will let you know about the brain scan when I find out something. Thanks Again Pastor Russell Young

Sat. June 21, 2008

 I have just received my P.E.T. scan results and Praise the Lord everything looks good. My cancer seems to still be shrinking a little. The main thing is they did not find any cancer else where in my body. I was hurting and have trouble with the other lung but now it's gone with no sign of anything. I feel God removed it before the scan. I have to go for a brain scan on July 7th so keep me in your prayers for that. Please continue to pray for Jessica Wentz, John Marr, AC Crotts, Alvin Cline and Larry Dula they are all good friends of mine who also have cancer. I know God is able to conquer all things and were looking to God for His touch. Please add these names to your prayer request. Thanks so much for all the prayers, phone calls and support that each of you have given me. God is so good to us, much more than we deserve. Thanks again to my church family and to all who pray and check on us may God truly bless each and every one of you. I will keep you informed when I have my brain scan. God Bless Pastor Russell Young

Wed. June 11, 2008

 I just wanted to write each and everyone of you reguarding several important needed prayer request. Please pray for Jessica Wentz she went back for another PET Scan and the cancer has returned in several areas. Larry Dula received his PET this week also and his cancer has spread to several areas as well. John Marr one of my friends who prepared the BBQ for my benefit has been diagnosed with cancer on his face and several limp nodes. Alvin Cline a member of my church has also beeen diagnosed with lung cancaer and is starting treatments this week. I also am going back to the doctor on Tuesday the 17th of June with some pain with my cancer. Please add these names to your prayer request list at you church. We are going to have a special service tonight primarly just to pray and ask God to help each one of these needs. Please help us pray tonight and every chance you get. I know God is faithful and He said He would never leave us or forsake us.I still thank God for every day and where he has brought me from.Please help us pray tonight. Thank You and God Bless you All.  Pastor Russell Young

Wed. June 4, 2008

 Well things are still going well as far as we know. I am scheduled for a P.E.T. scan and a brain scan on Monday July 7 so please pray that we receive good news from these. Thanks so much for all your prayers and concerns. The church seems to be doing well and were trying to recover from the loss of our choir director. Please continue to pray for us as well as the Huffman family. Please add Larry Dula to your pray request as his cancer has spread into his brain. He will be receiving radation this week for it. God has been so good to us and I thank Him every day for what He has done for me and my family. I still have numbness to my fingers and toes and pain now and then but thats nothing compaired to where we have come from. Please continue to pray for us and South Fork that we will always follow and seek after God's will for us. I will update again as soon as I get the results in July. Thanks again and God Bless You All.(Please pray the Jessica Wentz receives a good PET scan next week.)

Pastor: Russell Young 

Sun. May11, 2008

 Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers today and God richly bless you. Things are still going well as far as we know right now. I will be going back to the doctor two times this next week.One for an update and another to look at some suspicous molds on my back and chest. Thanks for all your prayers. The Revival went well at Fairbrook this past week. I'm just glad to be back preaching. I have lots of friends and church members who are really sick so please pray for them. God knows each and every need there. Thanks so much for checking in and I will be updating info as I receive it. Thanks again for all the prayers and support of all of you. May God richly Bless you all.

Pastor Russell Young

Thursday May 1, 2008

 I just wanted to stop in and say that things are going well as can be expected. I'm preaching every service now and getting back to my duties and chores. My blood pressure seems to be doing well and the Tarceva apears to still be working. I will know the week after next as this will be my visit back to the doctor. Most of all I just wanted to Praise the Wonderful name of Jesus who brought me safe thus far. I can't think the Lord enough to think of all He has done for me. I never imagined I would be where I am today just six short months ago and by the way neither did the doctors. I say blessed be the name of the Lord. Please keep me on your prayer list for I still have a long journey and the cancer is not gone yet but it seems to be getting smaller with each CT scan. I'm due another brain scan in June so please pray for a clear result there. I also want to thank my church and all of you for the continued support and prayers you have given me. I know I would not be where I am today without each of you. Again thanks so much from the bottom of my heart.I have truly been blessed, so blesssed. I will let you know what the test results are as soon as I know. Until next time keep looking up, it want be long.

In Christ Pastor Russell Young

Wed. April 16th

 I just wanted to stop by and say hello to every one praying for me. I am doing good, sitting here in my study getting ready to preach tonight. I feel so blessed just to be able to preach and do the Lord's work. Just wanted to let you know our revival starts Sunday night through Wednesday night. Come by and join us if you can. Please pray for me as I go to Fairbrook Baptist on May 5-7, 2008 to preach a meeting for them. I want to please God and help the people so please pray for me that I will continue to do the will of the Lord. Only thing I have to tell you is, I went to the doctor yesterday and he changed my blood pressure medicine to a lower dose because my BP was getting to low, it was about 90/70 which was causing me some problems. I feel better today and just thank the Lord for another wonderful day. Please keep us in your prayers and were praying for you. Pastor Russell Young

Fri. April 4th

Well I’m back for another update. There has not been much going on, so it’s been awhile since an update. I just got home from the doctor and he said my tumor had shrunk 2 cm. from the last scan on January 21st. The Tarceva pill is working in reducing the tumor so we Praise the Lord for that. My tumor size is now 5.7 cm. now down from the original 12.5 cm. The cancer activity is also down a little in the tumor. My strength is getting back to somewhat normal also and I thank God for that. The doctor has released me to work and play all I want too so that’s a good thing for me. I’m tired of looking at walls and the bed. I just can’t thank God enough for where He’s brought me from since October. Thanks for all your prayers and support and please continue to pray for us and our church as we try to follow the Lord’s direction. Please pray for Jessica as she is at Baptist now going through her chemo and stem cell transplant.  Just remember the world will fail you, But Jesus Never Fails. My next appointment is in 6 weeks so I will try and keep everyone up to date. Thanks again and Praise the Lord for all He does for us all.  Russell

Mon. March 10, 2008

We just got back from the doctor and he did not up Russell’s dosage on his medication. He said that he will not be able to do the full 150mg dosage at this time because of the breaking out that Russell has on his face. They gave him an antibiotic for the rash because it is infected some. He can continue to take this antibiotic all the time if the rash returns. Russell has been having some tingling in his feet and hands. It has been pretty bad for the last few days. The doctor said he did not think it was a side effect from the medicine that he takes now; he believes it is a delayed side effect from the chemo. Russell said that his feet have not been as bad as they were on Sat and Sun. They will do a pet scan on April 2 to see if these pills are working. We go back to the Doctor on April 10 for the results. I am not sure what I am going to do about the Nursing Program for the fall semester. I am supposed to get my letter of acceptance into the program from the college sometime next week. Please help us pray about what God’s will is for our lives. I am a little nervous about making such a big commitment to school full time. Thanks again for all your prayers and support. Love, Russell and Marti

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Thurs. Feb.28

Sorry we have not posted till now. Russell went back to the doctor on Mon. and he has up his dose to 125mg. for right now. They are going to wait another 2 wks to see how he does until they get him to the full 150mg. He has still got the rash on his back and chest. It has started to move up on his neck and face slightly. Over all he has done good. He has had to take a few more naps than usual but he has not had any nausea. Thank God!!  We have had a death in the church that we ask all of you to pray for the Dwight Huffman family. Russell has been very close to him since he was little and he is taking it pretty hard. Please pray for Russell as he helps do the funeral tomorrow. Our whole church has had things turned upside down lately, and they also need your prayers. Dwight was a faithful member and was also our choir director. Dwight was who Russell was working with at the garage before he got sick. He has been a faithful friend for Russell over the last 25 years.  Our whole church has been very faithful and good to us during Russell’s sickness. We have had a lot of ups and downs lately but we know that God is in control. Also Jessica has had her test today and we ask that you still continue to pray for her and her family. Love Marti   

Mon. Feb18

 Russell has done pretty well on the pill so far he has not had any side effects. He is still coughing pretty badly. Today was his last dosage on his antibiotic that he started on Thursday I think it has helped. We go back to the Doctor on Mon. and they will up his dosage on the pills. We will just have to hope and pray for no side effects. He did get to go to church on Sun. He did not preach because of his cold maybe next Sun. I have to take some time to thank the Lord for keeping Bradley and Dustin safe. They were in an accident on Sat evening. A car cut right in front of them. God had his hand of protection on them. They are just sore and Bradley broke his nose. Other than that they were just fine. We pray for that hedge of protection on our families and sometimes we never see what God prevents from happening but in this situation we got to see God work. Thank you Lord!!!! I will try to post next week when we get back form the Doctor. Love Marti

Wed. Feb.13

Russell got to preach on Sunday and he did a great job. It was good to see him behind the pulpit preaching. We just praise God for all the good days that he has had and allowing him the honor to preach again. He has still been a little nauseated off and on; I just don’t understand why he still is. Sunday morning and evening he was nauseated he was not able to go back to church Sunday evening or this evening. He has also had a cold and did not start his pill today; we wanted to make sure with the Doctor that it was ok to take with cold meds. They said it was ok and he will start the pill first thing tomorrow morning if all is well. I will post again in a couple of days to let you all know how he is doing. Please pray for Larry Dula he is in the hospital with pneumonia. He is also battleing cancer and is one of our good friends. Thanks Marti   

Wed. Feb.6

Well let me begin by saying Praise the Lord for another day and being able to get out and be in my study at church. This is just the second time I have been able to be in my new study at church. I thank the Lord for the precious times alone in the study with Him. I just want to say Bless His Holy Name!
 The days seem to be getting better as I’m off the chemo. I can say I surely am thankful that I get the chance to come off chemo and try this pill form. There are a lot of side effects with this pill so I ask you to please pray that the side effects are mild so that I can continue to take it. I have another week before I start this pill and I’m looking forward to this week for study and playing with the kids. If all goes well I’m going to preach Sunday morning. Please pray God give me strength and most of all emotional strength. I seem to break down every time I get behind the pulpit for announcements or anything so I really need God’s help this week as I always do. Brycen has been doing much better at school, thanks for your prayers. Please continue to pray for Jessica Wentz as she starts back for her second round of chemo today at Baptist Hospital .  Well I know this is short but we will write again next week when I start my new treatment. Take care and God Bless each and every one of you. Pastor Russell Young.

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Wed. Jan 30

Russell had his Doctor visit today and we got the results back from his tests. His MRI on his brain came back negative for cancer. The cancer is still there in his lung, it is just not as active. The Doctor said that everything looked good and that he was going to stop his Chemo and put him on the pill form of therapy. The pill is called Tarceva, it is targeted specifically to the cancer cells. He will take this pill everyday starting with a 100mg dose and then if things go well they will up his dose to 150mg a day. It has been proven to help with non-small cell lung cancer after chemo. The main side effect is a rash that can develop on the upper-body area, usually around the face. If this side effect is severe he would have to stop the pill.  He will start this pill in 2 weeks. We were very relieved that he did not have to take a treatment today. Russell had just started feeling better yesterday and was really dreading today. We are praying that this pill will be successful with no side effects. The Doctor said that this pill would be just as effective as the full 6 treatments of chemo without all of the nausea that goes with it. I am so thankful that Russell is feeling better and that he did not have to do another treatment. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!! When he starts this treatment he will take it for 2 weeks and then we have another Doctor’s appt. So we will be going back in 4 weeks. I do not know when they will do another scan. I would probably say at least 6-8-weeks out. I am still trusting God to heal him and I am glad to get a little good news. Please continue to pray for Jessica Wentz and her family she still has a long road ahead. Also pray for Brycen he has had a hard time getting adjusted to public school. He cries every morning and it is starting to take a toll on me and him. He just does not like to go and he is making himself sick on his stomach. I have not given in to him but it is so tough. I just want him to be happy and enjoy life. Bradley has done just fine, he has enjoyed being back with friends. Thanks for all the prayers and support. We love you,   Marti and Russell

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Mon Jan 28

Russell has been mostly sick and nauseated during this last week. He had a few good days and was able to go to church on the 20^th. Even though he was able to eat he still had that nausea feeling that he can’t seem to shake at all. The first of last week was ok but by the end he was sick and vomiting. I had to take him to the ER on Sat to get some fluids and meds which seem to help for a couple of hours then he was back nauseated again. He has been able to keep some food down yesterday evening and this morning so we will probably just wait till we see the Doctor on Wed. He is supposed to find out the results of his test then so I will be posting again probably Wed evening. We don’t understand why he is still so sick this late in his treatment but they did tell us this may be the norm for the next two treatments. I am praying that he will not have to endure this for the next two. I know that God is able to take this away and I am praying for Him to do that. We have had a few down days but we have to stay focused on the end of all the treatments. We do not understand all that God is allowing but we do know that he is in control and there is a purpose for all the suffering that we have to endure here on earth. Sometimes I feel it is just to make us really on Him for each day the new grace that He has for us. I can not help but think about the widow that helped Elijah. Each day as she went to the meal barrel there was just enough for that day. If God had supplied her needs for the whole week of even the month she would not have relied on God each day for the food that they needed. She went faithful each day to the barrel knowing that God would supply for that day. Each and every day we should go faithful to God knowing that he will provide what we need for that day, giving us just the right amount of grace to continue to press forward, knowing through faith that the healing will come.  Love to all Marti    

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Sat. 19^th 2008

Well first let me say sorry for the extended time between updates. I have been really drained and sick from the last chemo treatment and Marti has been working and really busy as well. I went to the doctor on the 16^th and they gave me some fluids and changed my meds for the nausea. The doctor told us to expect the extended sickness with the type chemo that I’m taking. It just seems to get worse each time. Please continue to pray for our church and our people during my sickness. I am so thankful for how our church has helped and responded during my sickness.  Please continue to pray for Jessica Wentz as she has started her new chemo treatments and has been very sick.

 I go back to the doctor Monday 21^st. for a P.E.T. Scan which will show active cancer in my body. Please pray for good results. I will also go Wed. 23^rd. for a brain scan to be sure there is no cancer spread to my brain as well. Thanks for all your prayers and concern you have showed us during this time. I will not have any results from the 2 test until the 30^th of January as soon as I know more I will be posting it. Also my next Chemo starts on the 30^th so please keep us in your prayers. (God has been so good to me!!!!!)  Russell

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Sat. Jan.12

Russell has been exhausted all day and he has stayed in the bed most of this treatment. I think his treatments are getting a little harder for him each time. They removed his drain tube on Thurs. and he said it did not hurt much they kept the area numbed pretty well. He has been a little sore in that area but is thankful to have the tube out. He still is nauseated and has not eaten a lot this treatment. I am thankful that God is still blessing us with his grace. It seems like I still go back to the verse in (Romans 5:3) where it talks about tribulations worketh patience which I have still not learned. Russell wishes I would learn some, then he would maybe not have to go through so much. Me and the boys are doing pretty good Bradley is looking forward to school and I am not so sure about Brycen, I think it may be a little hard on him to go back. I am looking forward to church tomorrow. I also have started back this semester with two classes, yea what was I thinking. Anyway I guess it will be alright, they are on the internet so I don’t have to leave home except for work. I hope all of you are doing well. We love you   Marti     

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Wed. Jan. 9

We went back today to see the doctor and start Russell’s 4^th round of chemo. The doctor said he was still very impressed with what progress the chemo has done. He did not get the catheter tube removed from his chest today, we go in the morning to do that and then go straight over to the office and start chemo again. They also said that his ultrasound that he had done last Thurs. was clear so we are still not for sure what is going on and why he is staying so nauseated for so long after a treatment. They think it still may just be from too much acid in his stomach. They scheduled another MRI on his brain in two weeks and another PET scan also just as standard procedure. The doctor felt for sure they would continue to do 6 rounds of chemo. After that they will probably give him chemo dosage in pill form. Russell got a little nauseated on the way home and has been in the bed since we got here at 4:30 it has been a long day. Overall we have done pretty good. I started back to work on Tues. and Fri. for the time being and the boys will be going back to public school on the 23^rd of the month. That was a hard decision to make so please pray for them and us. We know that God is in control and we still believe that He will heal Russell. God’s time is just not in our time. Thanks for all the prayers and support Marti      

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Sat. Jan. 5th

Sorry for the late post but not alot of changes going on right now. I have been having some problems with my stomach and had to go for a ultrasound at Frye Thursday. I should have results by Monday or Tuesday. Other than the stomach problems things have been going fairly well. I just thank God every day for all He does for me and my family. Please add Jessica Wentz to your prayer request list she is a very dear friend of ours who has cancer. She has two small children and needs your prayers. She will be facing more test and maybe even more treatments, please lift her and her family up in prayer daily.

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I will be going back Wed. 9th through the 11th for my 4th round of chemo. After my 4th round I will be having another PET scan to see how well the treatments are doing. Thanks again for all the prayers and support that everyone has shown us during these difficult times. God bless you all. Russell

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Thurs. Dec. 27

Russell went back to the Doctor yesterday. His blood levels were down some and they started him back on his series of shots for his white blood count. He got sick yesterday on the way to the Doctor and on the way back. He is feeling better today. He is still very weak from this treatment. I think he was so excited to do some things this weekend that he about over did it. We had a good Christmas and I hope all of you did also. We did not get to talk to the Doctor about taking his tube out I am going to try and call them back today and see if we can have it removed next week. I guess that is all. We love you all. Thanks Marti       

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Sunday Dec. 23rd.

It's been a while since we posted but just not alot going on between chemo treatments. I am feeling somewhat better and have had a good weekend even thought I have been a little weak. I felt I would post my own post today just to let you all hear from me and know that God has really been blessing us and giving us far more than we deserve. I went out last night to eat with my family and eat the most I have ate in months. I will sure put back on some weight if I eat like that much. I went to church today and was able to give an invitation at the end of our Christmas play and then we had a good time of fellowship together with a great meal. I must tell you it was so nice to be in the pulpit again. I look forward to getting back to preaching and serving the Lord as soon as He allows me to. I know when He's ready the time will come. One thing I know for sure is that the Lord has been working on me and throught me greater than I could have imagined. Please keep us in your prayers as I hope to get this chest tube taken out and hopefully it will take some of the pain I'm having from my side. I go back Wed 26th for more blood work and I would like to wish everyone a Merry CHRISTMAS!!!! THANK YOU LORD FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME!!!!!!!!   Russell

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Tues. Dec. 18

Sorry I have not posted lately. Russell started back his third round of chemo yesterday. He has been tired and drained a lot with these treatments. He will finish up tomorrow until the next one in three weeks. He has not been sick. I think we finally got his nausea meds. worked out, we will just have to see how he does in the next couple of days to be sure. He has felt well over the weekend and we are thankful for that. We had great results from the Barbeque they raised a little over $11,300 that was a lot more than we expected. God is so good!!!! We have been so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family I could never thank all of you enough for what you have done in our lives. Thanks!! I said “God does not do anything little.” With the tumor shrinking more than we had expected and the money I think me and Russell both have been overwhelmed with what God has done in our lives. I pray that we all will remember that God is the one that gets the praise for all that He has done. We have been so blessed I could write a whole notebook of how God has been working in our lives. This has been a trail but I have to also say that God’s grace is sufficient. I have just finished  reading a book that Pastor Jamie Fox gave me last month “A Place Called Heaven”   and it says in the end “Patience is born and perfected in trial. “We glory,” Paul said, “in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience”(Rom.5:3). In James, we have this remarkable demand and statement: “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations: knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4) Count every trial as joy. Count them joy at their coming and joy at their results.”  I am thankful that God has chosen to work in our lives and I hope and pray that He will continues to get the Praise and Glory for “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28) We Love everyone and Thank you again for your prayers and support. Love in Christ Marti

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Wed. Dec.12

We just got back from the Doctor and we have great news. Russell’s tumor has shrunk about 60%. It may have actually shrunk more. They have never received the CT scan from Tulsa where it had grown. He said the chemo was working great and they will start his treatments back on Mon. His white blood count was down some so they started him back on the shots to rebuild it. He will take them through Fri. They usually make him hurt some but he said he did not care now that he knows that the chemo is working. We just praise God for all that he has done. There have been so many people that have prayed and we are thankful that we have so many that care about us. We could never thank God enough we know that he is the one that is doing the work and we give Him all the  glory and praise for all that he has done and all that he will continue to do for us. Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for he is worthy. Love Marti       

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Mon. Dec. 10

Russell has done really well this weekend and today. We went to the Barbeque for a couple of hours. I think they done really well I don’t know for sure how much money the raised yet. They are going to let us know on Wed. Russell went for his CT scan today but they have not told us the results yet. We go on Wed. morning to find out what his progress is. He drove his truck some today and visited his Mom and Dad at their house. It was really good to see him up and around. He also went to Church with us on Sunday. Today felt more like a normal day…… God has been so good to us. I can not praise him enough for his grace. Russell has not hurt as much either. He has eaten well for the last couple of days. He needs to eat more and I need to eat less!!!!!!.  I pray that we will get good news on Wed. We also have other friends that are facing the same battle as us and we ask that you remember them in pray also. There are several names and God knows who they are. We want to thank each and every one of you for your support and prayers. We love you. Russell and Marti

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Sun 11/ 25/07

I am going to try this again. I have spent the last 40 min. typing and have lost my work 3 times. I am sorry I have not posted in so long. We did not get home until Sat. and my internet has been down until today. The last week has been hard and busy. On Wed. they had to give Russell a shot to counter act the pain meds. in his body because his body was not processing them right and basically he was having a overdose. The experience was quite tramatic and he has been a little emtional since. They also did another CT scan and said everything looked good. They still do not have the CT scan back from OK. so they do not know if the tumor has shrunk any yet. They also did blood work and found that his white blood count was lower that normal and gave him a series of shots to bring them back up. They were very painful and has given him flu like symptoms. On Fri. he had to be put on oxygen because his O2 levels were a little lower than normal. We hope that this is only temporary. We are suppose to see the DR. one day this week and hopefully start  another treatment  next week. Russell and I both rested well last night I think we were just happy to be home. He has had a good day and been in better spirits today. He has had very  little pain today.  We also found out that Russell's uncle has cancer please pray for him. I will try to still post every couple of days even though we are home.  Thanks for all the prays, money, cards and support that we have recieved over the last couple of months. We Love  everyone. Love Marti          

Fri. 11/16/07

Russell got out of the hospital yesterday evening. We went over and also got some more fluid drawn off about 700ml. He was in a little better shape last night. He has still been in some pain and has still been drained a lot. Glenn, me and the boys went to the Zoo today. The boys really had a good time they got to see all the animals and were really excited. We also got our flights changed to come back in on Sun. evening. We felt it would better to be at home even if it was just for a little while before we have to fly back. I think it will do Russell good just to be home a little. We are still asking people to not come and visit next week because Russell will still need to get a lot of rest. We feel bad about this but we hope that everyone will understand. We will be flying back out here on Nov. 28 for another treatment and will stay through Dec.6 tentatively. Even though we will be home I will not be working next week I feel that we need that time to help focus on the healing process. Hopefully I will try to work those couple of weeks before Christmas. Thanks for all the support We Love you all. Marti

Wed. 11/14/07

Today and yesterday have not been very good days. Russell has been extremely exhausted and drained. He has been a little sick and dehydrated. He was supposed to get more fluid drawn off today but was just to tired to do it. We will probably have it done tomorrow or Fri. We have just got him settled in the hospital room. They wanted to keep him overnight and try to replenish his fluids. They have also given him some nausa medicine. I just stepped out of the room to update. I have been pretty tired myself. I will stay the night with him tonight. Reet took Bradley back with her to the room. I know that it is especially hard on her.  It is sometimes easy to get a little discouraged even though I know that we should not. We did get some encouraging news that one of our girls from church just got saved last night at our revival. I know if I am down God can some how lift us up with the great news that   HE STILL SAVES!!!!!! Praise God for that. Sometimes we get caught up in our own problems and forget to look around. But it is not about us but " IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM" Those of you from South Fork know what I mean when I say that. That is something that Russell has said many of times from the pulpit. Please continue to pray that God will give us strength. We Love you all.   Marti   P.S. Happy Birthday Mom I Love You I could not do it without you.