Christian Photographers Community

Urgent request for my husband Jim

He has a small growth on the side of his neck by the ear line down which
has steadly gotten bigger.

Enough to tell us all and alarm us.

He will be at the doctor's today at 1 pm EST for consultation.

Please give us some time in prayer.

Take care and as always, Love in Christ,

Joyce

UPDATE:

Confirmed that there is a tumor growing in the left neck area.

Specialist is needed for further evaluation.

Please keep him in your prayers.

Take care

Love in Christ,

Joyce

JOYCE~Thank you for sharing your concerns for Jim.  It is good that he got to the doctor and was referred to a specialist.  We all know Who is the Ultimate Specialist, though, and I am praying for and with you all.

Joyce, I am praying for Jim too.

Oh Father!  So many human maladies!  I ask You for mercy in Jim's case.  Draw him close to Yourself through this, but also lay Your healing hand upon him through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, I pray that you comfort Jim and Joyce and the other family members as they go through this trying time.  Let them know your peace and calm their minds.  Amen

thank you so very, very much.

You are bringing us comfort; so please keep us in your prayers.

We are heading to the specialist and first round of testing will begin.

My husband had a skin cancer on his left ear about three years ago and they
feel that  it may have traveled to the neck area.

I will keep you posted.

Take care, and as always,

love in Christ,

Joyce

JOYCE~I will certainly be awaiting the updates as you have them.  Jim is in Good Hands and so are you, my friend. 

Good news --my hubby passed the first test.

Testing for tumors in the jaw area, mouth, eyes and nose
and throat all were clear..

Praise the Lord ...(he definately did not like the "long spagetti
tube" up the nose and down the throat but it worked and showed
a good report.

Now the CT scan of the head, neck and shoulder area will be done on
Monday and then the fine needle aspiration on the tumor after that.

PLEASE keep those prayers flowing....

Definately need them and greatly appreciated them.

Take care and as always,

Love in Christ,

Joyce

Praise God!  Most definitely continuing in prayer, Joyce.  This is a good report, indeed!

Praise God!

We are praying!

I just came in tonight to see your prayer request, Joyce.

We will continue praying for Jim and for you, dear heart.

UPDATE:

monday's CT Scan was difficult.

Jim was in such a positive mood, too, but , when they had
to do the contrast(intravenous in the arm and dye solution)
well, some how the tech  made a mistake--my husband's
vein collapse and the dye entered his arm ' causing massive
swellling, hives, bad allergic reaction. 

Doctors were called in and solved the problem but
"took the wind out of Jim".

He reluctuctly went for the needle biopsy and the tech
there was so very professional which made my hubby
feel a little better.

Now the wait and see for the results.

That is so very hard, but we know whose hands our
lives are in and it makes it easier to cope.

HE is always there...

Please continue your prayers and thanking you for your
love, concern and prayers.

Take care and as always,

Love in Christ,

Joyce

I'm praying.

Joyce, me too.

Add me to that list, Joyce

Add me too..

Joyce:  I am praying for your guy!

Me, too. Going through all those tests is so difficult but, of course, quite necessary. May God be with you both.

Ruth Ann

thank you so very much.

Update;

Doctors found the CT and biopsy shows cancerous cells in the tumor.

Bad part, they do not know where the cancer is coming from (can't see
the root) so now Jim is scheduled for PET Scan (more intense scan than
the CT) and an MRI

Pet scan tomorrow at 1 pm and MRI to see the size of tumor on Friday
1PM

Keep those prayers coming, we desparately need them.

Love in Christ,

Joyce

Oh Joyce...I'm so sorry.  I certainly will be praying for Jim...and you too!  I've never heard of a PET scan....could you tell me something about it?

Father, I pray You'll give the doctors extra special insight aand wisdom in Jim's case.  Oh lead them to just the right treatment.  Then, Father, bless the treatment to him.  Oh do these things through our Lord Jesus Christ.

thank you, all.

I didn't know about PET Scan either --went to www.petscan.org
and found out a lot of good information.

This test is given for heart , cancer and even alzheImier (Spellling???) patients.

Very intense.

Radioligist told my husband this will pinpoint the cancer and then go
from there.

Jim and I are feeling your prayers--we have comfort when we go
through this but we just want it done!!!
Want to get on with the surgery and continue doing God's will.
Witnessing to others.

I told my hubby, can you imagine what the good Lord has in
store for us?? Using us this way: must be for a very, very
good reason.

Take care and as always,

Love in Christ,

Joyce

I am still praying here, Joyce.

Joyce: The PET scan sounds like an all inclusive test - good wishes and prayers for you and Jim.
Carol

YES, the PET scan was very precise.

They scanned him from head to toe and the only cancer found was
in the neck area--Praise the Lord--to have such an precise scanning
and have it found was half the battle.

They do see it in the lymph nodes and near the most important vein
in the neck area so now we go to Onconologist (cancer specialist)
Tues. 1 pm so they will tell us what the next step is.

They feel chemo is needed to shrink the tumor somewhat so they
may be able to operate without hitting the vein....

Please keep us in your prayers.

I must tell the rest of the story.

A very long time ago; my husband was in a bad motorcycle accident
and only by the grace of GOD is he alive today. (I think I mentioned
the details here and/or on SN)

He went through the windshield and back out again landing on his head.

Now the MRI and all other testing are showing "something" in the back of
his head--maybe pushing/shifting of the brain / all "could be " cause by
old injuries and no problem BUT

doctor wants Jim to go to neurologist on Wednesday at 10:15 to see if
it is okay and able to operate.

I know so many here have such needs so I would greatly appreciate any
time spent in prayer for our needs.

Thanking you in advance and as always,

Love in Christ,

Joyce

Joyce~Pain in any part of the body effects the whole body.  When you are hurting we all hurt.  I am praying for Jim -- and you.  God has the answer and He will make all things right.  I pray for His comfort and perfect peace fill and over flow your hearts as you navigate this series of tests and treatments. 

Oh dear Joyce.  Our prayers can do nothing, but God can do infinitely MUCH, and, because of His mercy He hears our prayers and acts accordingly.  We don't demand of Him, but we entreat Him, and His mercy is greater than all human comprehension.  His ways are perfect, His love is perfect, and His plan for Jim is perfect too.  Oh Father, be very, very close to Jim & Joyce at this time, and finally show them mercy and love such as they never could dream!  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.  More than they could ever dream. Yes.   

Amen.

oh, thank you so very much,

so kind of you to post--it helps us in this trial.

update--good news --no cancer found in the brain --still seems to
be settled in the neck area.

Neurologist concluded that the scanning shows old injuries to the
head so no problem if they have to operate.

Cancer specialist thinks chemo, radiation treatments should be okay
but further testing needed (what stage the cancer is in).

Surgeon wants to do dissectiion of the neck area.

Right now another CT scan this time of the chest is scheduled for
4 oclock today then we have 5 days off with no testing, no doctors.

Next Wed. radiologist and Thursday-cancer specialist and then surgeon
who will make the decision of what to do.

Praise the Lord for prayers in keeping up our strengh.
We will be going to the mountains of Penna. and the lake
to try and rest before the next round of testing.

Take care and as always,

Love in Christ,

Joyce

Praying here Joyce.

And here too...

Joyce - my heart aches for both you and Jim. I'll continue to pray.

Joyce~What else can we do but keep you both before the Father's throne in prayer.   I am praying for His PERFECT WILL in all things for all concerned.

Joyce:   This is a time of stress for you and Jim but the Lord is carrying you through.
            I have also been praying as I have been reading.   Praise the Lord for the doctors working
            so fast and getting the needed answers for the course of treatment.



            Ruth

Prayer is our way to approach the mighty Throne of the Lord.  May He be so near to you both as you continue in this trial ... so near you can feel His Holy Presence as we continue to pray.   

Joyce, I, too, am praying for y'all.

Ruth Ann

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO ALL.

UPDATE:

My husbands surgery is scheduled for July 20, wednesday.

Surgery will take about 5-6 hours with a 5-7 hospitalization stay.

Skin cancer has advanced to such a state that another surgeon
who is more experienced in this field in stepping in.

THey found the root of the cancer to be where he had benign
skin cancer 3 years ago; on the tip of ear.

They will have to dissect 1/2 of the ear to make sure all of the
root is removed.

THen the neck dissection to remove the growth

Very critical area and surgery so again please, please keep
us in your prayers.

Take care and as always,

Love in Christ,
Joyce

Joyce~I will be out of town/state next week, but you can be sure I am, and will be, praying for you, Jim, and all involved in this surgery and treatment.  I bind everyone who will be touching your lives--or whom your lives will touch--to the will and purposes of God for your lives and to the Mind of Christ, that He will guide each detail.  Go in the knowledge that God is in control and He will keep you in perfect peace because your minds are staid on Him.   

Amen to Jane's prayer. I will continue to pray for Jim and for you Joyce.

Joyce:  May all your prayers be answered. 

Carol

I came to see if there was further word on Jim and Joyce.

Oh, the comfort to know that in everything, our God is LOVE.  Joyce, your love for Jesus overflows.  I pray that, not only His love for you, but your love for Him, will sustain you and embrace you.  You are His beloved.  As you simply lay your very own heart on the alter in surrender, as you worship Him who is so worthy, the battle will be fought all around you.
love, nita

Thank you, thank you , thank you --there are not enough "thank you's" to let you
know how very much you all have helped.

a great big Praise the Lord is definately in order !!! Do you see my happy dance?

Update.

My husband's surgery went well, 4-5 hours long but NO sign of cancer in the ear,
nose, throat, so his ear remained intact.  No sectional removal of the ear.

THe neck dissection went well and they believed all cancer is gone.

Jim healed so well because of the grace of Our Heavenly Father and prayers
answered that Jim was able to go home on Sat. morning --4 days earlier than
expected.

He feels great

The next phase was --getting ready for radiation treatment (around 30 times)
5 days a week for around 6 weeks.

Because of broken teeth and gum disease setting in; Jim was told radiation to
the area that they will be working on would create more infection in the mouth
area and gums will shrink because of the radiation.

Only thing to do was removal of teeth to prevent further infections and disease...

So off he went (the brave little boy) on Friday morning , only 9 days after surgery
to have 18 teeth removed all at one time.

Praise the Lord again because I had all pain medication ready and the usual antibiotic
for healing but only used the antibiotic.\

Do not know how he went through this mouth surgery ; he said far worse than
the cancer surgery. but Praise the Lord, he did. No pain still today.

Felt so much better, that we were able to take our two hours drive to the lake
in Penna. for much needed rest.

Now on Friday starts the radiation treatments

So again Bless you fine people for all of your prayers, help and support.

It was greatly needed and most appreciated.

Take care and as always,

Love in Christ,

Joyce

That is a very positive update.  I pray that the radiation goes as well as the rest of his treatments have gone.

Thank you Joyce for bringing us this praise report. It is good news. But will keep praying re: the radiation and chemo treatments.

Thank you, Joyce, for keeping us updated, and "Thank You, Father".

Joyce, I echo Nita's post above.  Thank you for keeping us updated.   

Yes, Lord, we just pray You'll keep any more cancer away from him through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Joyce, so wonderful to read of the successful surgery and that the teeth situation has now been taken care of.  He certainly wouldn't have wanted to throw a lot of infection in his body while figthing the cancer.  Glad you were able to make the trip to the lake as sure it was a pleasant experience for you both.  Prayers have obviously been answered for your husband and you. 

It is good to read the good news posting.


Ruth

Ruth:  My prayers for you and Jim as you continue this journey.  Carol

Thank you Joyce for the updates. 

It is so encouraging to read good reports.  Thanks.

My husband continues to do very well; in fact, he decided to start working in the yard "catching up" on much needed work that he did not get to last year because of his cancer.

While working in the yard, a couple pulled up in their car and walk over to him with big smiles on their faces.

Saying; we are so glad to see you working and looking so well--we have been praying for you.

Now my husband couldn't place who they were--never saw them before or so far even after that day so he asked:

Who told them about his illness and who were they and their reply
brought tears to his eyes;

They said that it was not necessary that he knew that information just know that they were there praying for him and off they went.

Thought I would share that with you and also like I told Jim--remember to always be kind to strangers; you never know when you are "entertaining angels."

Because IMO they are,

Take care and Love in Christ,

Joyce

Oh, Joyce!  What a wonderful testimony and blessing for Jim!  I agree with you about the angels.  God knows just when we need that tangible word and reminder that He is still in control of ALL things. 

Joyce,

I just read through this thread, prayed as I read, and your recent update stirred my heart.  I usually check in to CP in the mornings, so will pray for you both.

In His Grip,
kevin

Jim and joycwe,

We are lifting you up to our heavenly Father, god bless you both.

Alma

Joyce, glad to read of your good report on your husband.  His experience with the people who stopped sort of sends shivers up the spine as it is so great.  I am convinced that we often have no idea of all the folks praying for us particularly in participating in web discussions or without our extended church familes.

Yes, Joyce - God sometimes sends people to bless us, and sometimes He blesses us without people, but in any case, He's watching over us.  The Greek word for angel just means "messenger," so anyone He sends is an angel - even if they are entirely human.  "Bless the Lord, 'O my soul, and all that is within me.  Bless His holy Name!"

Joyce:  That is a lovely story and I am happy to read that Jim is doing so well.  Carol