Hallelujah!!! What a blessing today has been! Treatment is over for today and all has gone so well...not even a hint of nausea!!! Everything has gone well...from the lab work (all numbers are "normal") to the chemo (procedure took about 5 1/2 hours) to Don - he's feeling better (extremely relieved, though tired, but much better). Thank you all for your prayers on our behalf...oh, thank you so much.

We want to express our thanks to you, specifically, but we know that in doing so, we run the risk of forgetting something or someone. We don't want to take away any "heavenly reward" either...nor do we know of those that have prayed unceasingly, encouraged others along in this journey, and been used by God in perhaps a less "tangible" way that what we mention here - less tangible maybe, but important without a doubt.

We thank our dear friend and "brother" for visiting with Don (& I) today...it made this first day, full of unknowns, seem less scary. God was with us today - and your being here "in the flesh" helped us see that in a very tangible way...love you! We thank the anonymous soul or souls who have treated us to a 2-night stay here in Madison. We've asked who you are but they will not say, the rascals! What a blessing - thank you. God knows who you are and we have thanked you over & over to Him! Thank you, again, to the many who have prayed, written, prepared care packages, called, cried, and prayed with us & for us time and again for this first day of chemo. All is so good! Who could have ever counted on all these blessings through such a dire & disastrous time...except for God's children???? YOU ALL are a huge part of His blessings to us (and yet, there are so many blessings we aren't even aware of)...thank you again. We believe He has answered your prayers and petitions for our welfare today...He is just marvelous and we give Him praise for His loving kindness to us all! Amen!!

While we're "thanking"...might as well continue! We thank others for the monetary gifts for gas and whatever the expense might be...we thank you for the numerous visits at home at the drop of a hat, for food that has been brought over - and delivered (via Schwann's!)...the cards, clippings, Scriptures sent, phone calls, e-mails, hugs, tears...and all this is NOT because we are so special...really, we are not - you know that...it IS because God is so good and you all have availed yourself to be used by Him. We pray we, in turn, are a blessing to those around us through this journey. Being grumpy gets you nowhere...someone said "there is no future in being difficult"! How true!

I hope all this "thanking" doesn't sound mushy or gushy or fake (it is not, by any means)...it is just simply that we are overwhelmed by the love & care of so many. We should not be, should we, because God tells us He cares for the sparrow...why would we think He wouldn't overwhelm us with the love & care of those near & dear to us? We never thought He wouldn't...guess we just had not thought of it. We pray that you have been deeply & dearly blessed in your life...pressed down, good measure, and running over. Open your eyes - look around and taste & see that the Lord is good!

His grace & mercy to you...
Love you all,
Don & Deb