Good Evening,

We are praising and thanking God today! He has answered our prayers and shown himself strong on our behalf for His glory! Mama’s white count went from 2.0 three days ago to 3.4 today! Her neutrophil count (a specific kind of white blood cell that is particularly affected by chemotherapy) needs to be at 1,200 to receive chemotherapy. On Monday it was 680 (0.68) and today it was 1530 (1.53)! Lots of confusing numbers but such joyous news to us. :o) At our appointment three days ago, our NP suggested Mom should stomp up and down stairs right before the blood test to give her counts a boost. Neutrophils are produced in our bone marrow so apparently “pounding” your bones stimulates neutrophil production. So Daddy dropped Mom and me off ten minutes early this morning and we alternated between the two flights of stairs in “the lobby”, running up and down much to the amusement I’m sure of observers. I loved the look of triumph and humor on the NP’s face when we told her we did it. “See, it’s an old nurse’s trick!” Nurse’s trick or not, stair steps are not enough to increase her white count that much, according to the NP. We are so thankful for all of your prayers.

In Mom’s words, the chemotherapy treatment itself went 100% better this time; the nausea was much more manageable… only a little bit after the first two chemo drugs. We had peppermint candy, root beer barrels, ginger oil and ginger ale to help abate the nausea, and popsicles instead of ice chips for cryotherapy during the chemotherapy, all of which I’m sure helped her get through her treatment. We are thankful to all of you who have gone before and know “what works”. :-) We read through almost the entire book of Esther during chemo; didn’t quite finish it. Mama likes that story; God working through circumstances for His glory...

As you may know, this is the fourth and final chemo cycle for the first round of chemotherapy in Mama’s treatment schedule. Round 1 of her chemotherapy is the most difficult one to endure due to the side effects. Thankfully, her tumor has been very responsive so far. Round 2 will begin in just over three weeks on October 25th. This is when she will begin receiving Herceptin in combination with Paclitaxel. Herceptin, which has only been available for about 10 years, is probably better characterized as immunotherapy, and is a monoclonal antibody which has been very successful in treating HER2-positive cancers (the type of cancer Mom has). Paclitaxel is another chemo drug that she has not yet received. We have been told (and are hoping) that these two drugs used together have a much less adverse affect on the body. She will receive this every week for twelve weeks, and then surgery and radiation will follow. There is much to pray about, but also much to be thankful for!

So now, if you would, pray specifically that the nausea drugs would work well, that the nausea tonight and tomorrow especially would be minimal or better yet gone! Please pray that God would give us wisdom to know which medications to take, balancing drowsiness and nausea. Pray for us to know as much as is possible for us to comprehend, what God’s goodness is and to be grateful to Him for it.

Thanking God for you all,

The Lenz’s

Would you all pray tonight that Mama's white count would be high enough tomorrow to proceed with chemotherapy? We are excited and anxious for it to be over and at the same time wishing it were over now.
Your prayers are so valued by us. We know it is only by His grace and mercy that we are sustained.
So far, God has protected Mama from getting a cold that has made its way through our house. Considering her low white count and obviously many other factors she technically should be sick. The only explanation is God's providential protection.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities…
As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust…
Bless the LORD, O my soul!”
~From Psalm 103

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement.
This morning Mom's white count was too low to proceed with chemotherapy treatment. Normally, a person's white blood cell count is between 4.0 and 10.0 (4,000 and 10,000). They will give treatment if you are down to 2.5 but Mom's count was 2.0 so the doctors are delaying treatment till Thursday, September 30th.
At first we were disappointed because we had prepared for it mentally and physically. But, as we walked out of the office we realized the sun was shining and how relieved we were that the time was put off even for a few days. One of us remembered Mom and Dad's anniversary is the 29th of September and now Mom won't be sick on that day. "See, God did it!" He is good to us. Of course He was working all along to remind us of His goodness and providence.
Also, we are thankful for a very helpful nurse practitioner who walked us through all kinds of "practical" issues. We didn't even have to ask questions... just take notes on all the useful information. She is guessing from her experience that Mom's extendeded nausea is a result of heartburn from steroids rather than chemotherapy so now we can treat the actual cause of the nausea in the two weeks after treatment.
We learned a little more about the next 12 weeks of chemotherapy treatment as well, probably beginning October 25th. Would you pray specifically for those treatments to be easier? But then especially that we would rest in God's perfect knowledge of what Mama can handle so we can say His will be done.
This morning Mom met a young woman named Carolyn from Michigan. Carolyn has a 10% chance of survival; she had leukemia and it has recurred. Mom said she looked tired and sad... Would you pray for her too; that she would know the perfect hope that only our Savior can give... and that we would be able to minister to her where she is staying.
Much Love to You All,
Aubrey, for the Lenz's

Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Hello Dear Friends,

We would appreciate your prayers tomorrow and the next few days as Mama will have her 4th and last treatment of this kind tomorrow morning. It is encouraging to know that this will be the last intensive treatment for the foreseeable future.

Specifically please pray…

… that Mama would not be anxious, since anticipating the treatments doesn’t get easier with time

…That her nausea would be minimal, especially during the treatment.

…And that she will recover quickly from the side effects this time.

Also, a cold is beginning to move through the house. Pray that those are healthy can stay so and especially that Mama will not get sick.

The support of your prayers and encouragement have remained indispensable to Mama and our family during this time. Mama specifically mentioned the other day that she was finding rest and joy in the Lord and that she knew this courage is there because of prayers.

Thanking Him for You Always,

Emily and Aubrey for the Lenz Family

Hello Dear Family and Friends,
Mom is home and doing well so far after her third round of chemo. The doctors tweaked her nausea medication recipe again so we are hoping (just a little) for an easier journey this time. They also started all the medications earlier prior to administering chemo so we get a head start controlling the nausea. So, Mom fell asleep almost as soon as we got home!
Actually, administering the chemo itself was a little harder this time. I think once she sees and smells the chemo, and chews the ice chips; the association of those things with the experiences of prior treatments causes nausea. The memory and her senses play a powerful role in the battle. But, we knew God was near us (had just read Psalms 8, 103, and 27) and she was so relieved when it was all over. I had such a thrill of a joy when we were leaving and God had answered our prayers and taken away that specific nausea we had asked Him to take and Mom was laughing. God filled us with such joy, not our own but His real joy.
So, now, we are keeping up with medications, food and rest. We are so inexpressibly thankful to all you who have walked with us through this, both with prayers that we can’t ever possibly express our appreciation for, and with encouragement and so many generous acts of kindness. You are all such a treasured, sustaining expression of God’s love.
If you could pray tonight and tomorrow; pray for the nausea meds to work well and that He would fill us with strength to persevere in His providence.
Regarding her consultation with the doctor this morning, we continue to be thankful for the progress mom is making. Again, the doctor observed more reduction in the cancer. Her blood tests were quite good all things considered. Her white count was a little low, but not too low to prevent continuing the chemotherapy. Mom is such an encouragement to us all with her sweet attitude and her trust in our loving Savior.
Aubrey for all the Lenz's

Tomorrow morning will be Mams's third chemo treatment...
God is continually faithful in His presence and in providing the encouragement we need when we need it.  One of the blessings we have been most grateful for in the last few weeks is joy that we know He has given us.
Today and tomorrow, would you pray for Mama...
First that she would not be anxious.  No matter how confident we are that the chemo is something to be thankful for, anticipating treatments of this toxic nature doesn't get any easier with experience.  Pray that God would give her a peace during the time before and during treatment and that her joy in Him would not diminish.
Second, please pray especially that Mama would not have as much nausea.  The doctors prescribed a stronger medication for the last treatment than the first one, but the nausea was still quite a bit worse and was more difficult to get under control.  Pray that the doctors can provide effective medications and that we will be able to get the symptoms under control quickly.
Lastly, pray for endurance and that the Lord would guard our hearts and minds.  Thinking rightly about the circumstances we are in is so important, especially as we desire above all things to guard our hearts.  We know the Holy Spirit is working, and He has been faithful in this way, but pray that difficult days, when they come, would only cement the truth in our hearts and not drag us back from the steps we are taking heavenward.
As always, thank you for beings warriors for us in your prayers.  The prayers of the righteous do avail much...as we are experiencing first-hand...even from moment to moment.

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.


Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." ~ Ephesians 3:14-21

Emily for all the Lenz's

From Every Stormy Wind That Blows

From ev'ry stormy wind that blows,
From ev'ry swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sure retreat:
'Tis found beneath the mercy seat.

There is a place where Jesus sheds
The oil of gladness on our heads;
A place than all besides more sweet;
It is the blood bought mercy seat.

There is a scene where spirits blend,
Where friend holds fellowship with friend;
Though sundered far, by faith they meet
Around one common mercy seat.

Oh, let my hand forget her skill,
My tongue be silent, cold, and still,
This bounding heart forget to beat,
If I forget the mercy seat!

Ah! Whither could we flee for aid,
When tempted, desolate, dismayed:
Or how the hosts of hell defeat,
Had suff'ring saints no mercy seat.

Ah! there on eagle wings we soar,
And sin and sense molest no more:
and heav'n comes down our souls to greet,
While glory crowns the mercy seat.

A Hymn by Hugh Stowell - 1799–1865

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

"For who has known the mind of the Lord,

or who has been his counselor?"

Or who has given a gift to him

that he might be repaid?"

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

~ Romans 11:33-36

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation."

~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-7