Sailors, Saints, & Sinners

Bringing the Boys to NYC!!

This week we’re bringing the boys up to the “Big Apple” to see their mommy!  I’m so excited for the boys and for Beth who has not seen them in 7 months!! Our incredible doctors have even worked Beth’s check-up and treatment schedules so our time at the hospital is minimal.  I’m flying up with the boys by myself so I’ll be in man-to-man defense in the ATL airport and at 35,000 feet!!

Beth is improving but it is slower than we expected. The procedure to clear out her throat last week has helped but eating is still slow.  The “stuff” they removed from Beth’s nasal passageways revealed a fungal infection so the doctors added a high powered anti-fungal medicine.  On the positive side her pneumonia is gone

Dr. Boulad explained that healing and recovery takes longer in older transplant patients and especially in those who have Fanconi Anemia.  She is going to undergo some more treatment to hopefully knock the rest of the EB virus out and then the doctors will be in a position to evaluate where we are overall in post-transplant recovery.  Her graft (new marrow) continues to be strong, it just takes (more) time for the immune system to mature to the point where it can completely protect Beth from infection.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support!

Update on Beth

Today is a long day at the hospital for Beth to get treatment for the EB virus and a breathing treatment to prevent certain types of pneumonia.

Our biggest challenge of late has been eating and weight loss since the tonsil surgery. Food is sticking in Beth’s mouth and throat areas, making eating frustrating and somewhat futile. The doctors were/are considering putting in a “G-tube” device into Beth’s stomach (bypassing the throat area) to increase her caloric intake and weight.

However, yesterday we met yesterday with an ENT surgeon.  He looked in Beth’s nasal passages and throat and found a lot of “rubbish” (I guess that’s a medical term) that he thinks is the culprit for her eating problems. The doctors believe that while the tonsil surgery did remove a portion of the EBV, the virus is still in her throat area and complicating her healing, causing this “rubbish” to build up and linger in her throat area. So on Saturday the ENT is going to clean out Beth’s nasal ways and throat and remove some tissue adhesions/scar tissue.  He thinks this procedure could solve the eating challenge and we can avoid getting the G-tube

Prayer Requests:

• For Saturday’s procedure to be safe and successful.
• For Beth to be able to eat and increase her caloric intake.
• For EBV to continue to go away.
• For protection against any more infections and complications.
• Luke 11:13

Out of the Hospital: Latest on Beth

As we’ve learned bone marrow transplant is a series of steps forward and back with the hope that the overall direction is forward. True to form this week has been two big steps forward and one small step back.  Here’s the latest on my bride:

2 Steps Forward:
#1-Yesterday after 5 weeks, Beth was released from the hospital!  We are thrilled to be back in our “home away from home”.  We are giving her 2 IV medications at home. A home care nurse just trained me to give her these 2 drugs in our apartment.  Good to be out of the hospital
#2-The latest PET scan showed that ALL of the EB virus nodes in Beth’s body are significantly smaller.  The doctors are very encouraged to see that Beth is responding to the treatments.

1 Small Step Back:
The EBV PET scan showed that Beth has a bit of pneumonia in her upper right lung.  She shows no symptoms (no cough, no fever, no sounds that the doctors can hear), but it is there.  She always has some infection in her throat area.  We’re on some powerful antibiotics, and the doctors believe these infections should be gone relatively soon.

Finally, we got the ‘OK’ to bring the boys up to NYC!!  Since we just got out of the hospital, we’re going to take a week or so to get rested, get stronger, and get ready for Eyasu and Abreham. Beth has not seen the boys in person since the first of December and she is ready! Last night we Skyped with them — Abreham said, “I love you” and “Ma-Ma”!!

Prayer Requests:

• For the pneumonia to go away quickly.
• For Beth’s T-cells to increase (the T-Cell level is what determines the restrictions we have to follow such as being close to the hospital, avoiding crowds & enclosed spaces, and a low microbial diet).  As Beth’s T-cells increase, they will be easily able to kill off the EB virus.
• For two transplant friends we met, Kevin (age 19) and Karl (age 14), as they recover from their transplants.
• Soli deo gloria!!

Slowly but Surely: Beth Update

First, we are so blessed to be part of Rock Bridge Community Church. You have loved us, given to us, and prayed for us faithfully during this long and challenging time for our family.  When the Elders first told me that they wanted me to take the month of June off from preaching, I was hesitant. I love studying God’s Word and preaching it.  I love being with the people of my church family. However, I ultimately recognized and submitted to their wisdom, authority, and love for Beth & myself.  They are acting to protect the long-term health of the church and the teaching ministry while protecting me from the long-term dangers of fatigue and burnout (real dangers for any minister under normal circumstances).  Additionally, in God’s providence He has confirmed that June is an important month in Beth’s recovery and healing and I need to be with her as much as possible.

Beth is still in the hospital after 4 weeks but starting to feel much better.  She is working hard to eat and swallow while trying to get the needed calories from drinking smoothies, and shakes.  These are the prerequisites for her release so she does not dehydrate, gets the right amount of nutrition, and can take her medications by mouth.

Additionally, she is still getting treatment for the Epstein-Barr virus on a weekly basis.  A PET scan will be repeated in about a week to determine if further progress is being made against this problematic virus.  Because of the presence of EBV and the effect fighting it has had on her T-cell counts, we do not believe Beth will be home in late June (rats!).  However, we are making progress. Sometimes we take 2 steps forward and 1 step back; sometimes 2 forward and 1 1/2 steps back … but slowly but surely things are moving in the right direction.

Prayer Requests:

• For Beth’s swallowing to get stronger/easier so she can eat & drink enough on her own.
• To be released from the hospital.
• For the EBV virus to continue to diminish and be defeated.
• For us to be able to bring our boys up to NYC in June.

Signs of Progress: Latest on Beth

We are profoundly moved and grateful for so many prayers, acts of kindness and generosity, and support as Beth’s recovery continues.  I was overwhelmed by so many heartfelt inquiries and genuine interest over the weekend.
This adversity has definitely been teaching us that God while God values prayer, He especially values persistence and perseverance in prayer (Luke 18:1). Thank you Rock Bridge, family and friends all over for continuing to pray for Beth and our family!! Know and trust that God is working — medically yes, but also in ways that go far beyond the physical healing we seek for Beth.
Here is where we are:

• The latest scan revealed that all of the Epstein-Barr “sites” in Beth’s body are significantly smaller, except a slight increase in the size of a site on her liver (within the test’s margin of error).
  • The doctors are very encouraged and optimistic about these results.  The T-cell therapy is working but it does take time and Beth’s immune system is still not able to fight off the virus on its own.  She will receive at least 2 more doses of EBV-fighting T-cells (apparently T-cells are sort of like highly trained SEAL teams
• We are still in the hospital.
  • Her throat is healing and one scab/sore remains.  As this heals, Beth will be able to eat and drink more and then she should be able to be released. This could be this weekend or the first of next week.
• Will Beth be able to come home in late June, at the post-transplant 6-month mark?
  • While that question is on our minds, the doctors are not discussing it at this point.  Getting home in late June has always been an estimate and somewhat of a moving target.  The doctors’ goal is getting rid of the EB virus and helping Beth’s immune system get to a point of self-sufficiency where she will be able to fight off viruses, bacteria, & fungi on her own and thus be much more protected … and we are not there yet. We could get ‘there’ by late June (pray!), but that is uncertain at this point.
• The Epstein-Barr virus in post-bone marrow transplant patients is very serious … more so than we thought, knew or imagined.  The treatments are complex and take time to produce the desired results.  However, they are working, Beth is fighting, and we are praying!! God is in way more control than I ever knew and God’s love is way deeper than I understood back in November when Beth was first diagnosed … and with His sovereignty and grace at work, our work is to rest.

Seeking to rest,

Matt

Weekly Rundown (5.22.11)

• Finished Modern Family today.  Can honestly say this was a great and needed series for us.  Already hearing stories of people freed, marriages moving from divorce to restoration, and salvations!  Soli deo gloria!
• Baptism … what can I say?! God gave us this command to remind us of His salvation and His power.  I believe public, bold baptisms are also a great encouragement to those who have already been saved.  Baptism reminds us that God is still mighty to save and our work to evangelize and connected the disconnected is not in vain!
• Sign-up for E-GIVE!
  • During the summer months our church attendance is less consistent which translates into lower offerings to the church.  However, our mission continues and God’s work does not let up … even in the summer.  So E-Give not only helps you give automatically and consistently even when you can’t physically put something in the offering during a worship service; it also keeps our church’s ministries and missions going strong year round.
  • To sign-up go to www.rockbridge.cc and click on “Give”.  You’ll need your checking account number and your bank’s “routing number” (found on a personal check).  It’s simple and easy.
• Our Calhoun campus’ new building is ready: NEXT Sunday at either 9:30 or 11:00 am (going to 2 services too!).
  • I toured the building on Friday and WOW!! It is amazing.  It is at the old Piggly Wiggly location right off Highway 41.
  • Praying God uses the building to further His mission, advance His kingdom, and increase RBCC’s impact for Him in Gordon County!!
• Update on Beth: Thanks so much for asking and staying faithful to pray for her and our family.
  • She is still in the hospital and may get released by mid-week. Her throat area is still healing and now shedding the scabs so eating and drinking has been difficult.
  • We expect to have another PET scan this week to determine how well all this treatment has worked against the Epstein-Barr virus.  This “EBV” continues to be our biggest concern and obstacle so we are praying it is all gone!!
  • Prayer requests:
    • The complete and final defeat of the Epstein-Barr virus in Beth’s body.
    • Healing for her throat area and the ability to eat and drink normally again.
    • T-cell production to ramp up (several of the medicines she had to take lately suppress this part of the immune system)!!
    • For the family of our dear friend, Edwin who passed away last week from a post-transplant infection.

The Latest on Beth: Post-Surgery

Beth’s tonsils and adenoids were removed today.  The biggest “reservoir” for the EB virus was there and now it is gone!  The surgery went well.  Beth has a lot of swelling in her tongue, mouth, and throat but she is able to rest.

Beth still has the EB virus in her body, mainly in the abdomen area.  The doctors are hopeful that by removing the largest concentration of it (in her throat area), this will free up her immune system to fight the virus  more effectively in other areas of her body.  Additionally, she is receiving medicine and “T-cell therapy” to further tip the scales in our favor against EBV.

Your thoughts, prayers, texts, Facebook messages, love, and support are so appreciated.  They comfort and strengthen us as we know God in His sovereignty and grace has ordained prayer as a means to receive His mercy and glorify the One in Whose Name we pray.  I know the church took time on Wednesday to pray for Beth specifically.  It worked: the doctors got control over Beth’s pain, she (we) got much needed sleep, and the surgery was successful.

We do feel like we took a step forward today in the fight against EBV and toward recovery.  We still are praying for complete healing from EBV, immune system growth and strength, comfort and rest while recovering from surgery, and continued overall recovery from the entire transplant process.

Update on Beth: Back in the Hospital

Today Beth was readmitted to the hospital (she had been in an outpatient status since mid-January).  We are awaiting some test results but the likely culprit is the Epstein-Barr virus which is causing some intestinal-abdominal problems, including pain and weight loss.  To be safe and to ensure Beth gets fluids and nutrients, the doctors decided to hospitalize her through the tonsillectomy.
So while this feels like a step backwards, we are hopeful this enables her to take lots of steps forward in the coming days.

Prayer Requests:
For EBV to go away and stay away.
For relief from pain and discomfort.
For sleep.
For successful surgery to remove tonsils (scheduled for Friday morning).
For Beth’s graft (new bone marrow) to remain strong and keep producing more healthy cells.
For our friend, Edwin who is in serious condition (you can read his Caring Bridge update here).

Lastly, we continue to pray for and encourage prayer for the victims of the terrible tornadoes that struck our area and much of the Deep South a week ago.

While we hurt, we rest in God’s Sovereignty even in the midst of suffering, the overcoming of evil on the Cross, the communion we now have with God in Christ, and the hope of heaven.

A Blog to Catch-up

So much has happened in the past 5 days that I felt like a quick blog just to catch-up would be worth it.  From storm relief to the death of Osama to “How is Beth?” and the launch of a new series … here goes:

STORM RELIEF
The loss and grief is almost hard to bear, especially when this is home or so close to home.  Please continue to pray for God’s comfort, strength, and hope to be alive in these affected areas.
The response of supplies and volunteers (and the necessary coordination efforts) have been amazing. Rock Bridge, we are BEING the church.  You can stay updated via our web site and Facebook pages.

OSAMA’S DEATH
This blog post by Pastor J.D. Greear is worth the read.  ”Thinking About Osama”

NEW SERIES: MODERN FAMILY
It appears Part 1 of this series struck a nerve in our church.  I’m praying for all the conversations taking place right now, asking God to bring clarity and courage into families, marriages, and singles.  I’ll address some questions that have already been raised at the start of Part 2 this weekend.  This is a great series to invite a guest and to make sure your WHOLE family is in church! Please pray that God’s Word is made clear and God’s Spirit works in all our lives.  I know some of what we have (and will) cover will be uncomfortable and challenging at times; however, if we keep our eyes on God, lean into His grace, and follow Him no matter what … it will be worth it!!

HOW IS BETH?
Still fighting the Epstein-Barr Virus which at times makes her very uncomfortable.  We think the doctors will remove her tonsils on Friday since the bulk of the infection is in that area.  We need prayer for healing, for comfort, and for strength.  Someone called me several months ago and quoted a Scripture in a voice message to me that has been the basis for how I pray for her.

Isaiah 41:10-13 {NIV}
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Responding to the Storms

The devastation in our area is tremendous from the storms that ripped through NW Georgia.  While much of Whitfield, Murray, and Gordon County was spared, our neighboring communities were not.   So this is a “Good Samaritan moment” for our church to meet needs in Jesus’ Name and to be His hands, feet, and face to our hurting friends.

Our staff has been working fervently to develop an action plan and many of you have called asking what can be done.  We are in communication with area churches, the Red Cross, as well as the “Rock Bridgers” who live in Catoosa County (as far as we know they are ok physically).  Please know that as of now most of the affected area is closed to everyone but emergency personnel.

Pray. We can immediately ask God’s presence and Holy Spirit to touch people supernaturally with His grace, comfort, and strength.

Supplies: Our church is serving as a collection point for the Red Cross.  You can bring items to the church office on the corner of Hamilton and Gordon Streets OR to any lobby space at any Rock Bridge venue during our weekend services. Right now the needs are:

• Hand sanitizer
• Feminine products
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Wipes
• Bottled water
• Flashlights
• Tents and tarps

Financial Assistance: We will be giving from our missions budget.  We are still working out details of how best to give.  If you do wish to give additional money, you can make checks out to “Rock Bridge Community Church” and write  ”Storm Relief” in the memo line.