Refiner's Fire

Hi friends and family,

We wanted to give you the latest update on Louie and Marianne and to say again how much your prayers and encouragement mean! They are tired, but pressing on, holding on to the truth that God is using every step of this journey for His purpose and His glory. Nothing is wasted — every new doctor, nurse, or person that comes into their lives is another opportunity for God to show His love and goodness. Marianne and Louie are continuing to take every opportunity they have to share their faith in Jesus and point others to the only one who will never fail or change.

What’s unfolded since Louie was admitted to the hospital can be nothing other than God’s guiding hand. Because of Louie’s recent episodes, the doctors dug deeper and discovered the soft mass behind his ear. The recent biopsy revealed that it is a new cancer, likely caused by radiation back in 2013. Even though it didn’t show up clearly on earlier scans, Dr. DR had a hunch and asked a couple of his neuroradiologist friends to take another look. One of them spotted it, even though it was so subtle that it could have easily been missed. Dr. DR even joked that his friend “deserves a dinner and a cigar,” and Louie’s imaging will now be used to help treat and diagnose other patients in the future. It is pretty incredible to think that other patients in the future will be positively impacted, we are thankful that the trials Louie is walking through will be used to help others walking a similar path. We are also so thankful that Louie is not symptomatic at all and the doctors believe the new cancer is well contained and is curable. Thank you Jesus for this news and for your continued grace and goodness!

The tumor boards (both head and neck, and mastoid sarcoma) have been reviewing the case and revising the plan with this new information. What was going to be a relatively quick in-and-out lymph node surgery is now going to be more involved. On September 1st in Santa Clara, Dr. H and his team — along with an audiologist — will remove the sarcoma behind Louie’s ear and the diseased bone, carefully working to protect Louie’s nerves and hearing. They will also address the osteoradionecrosis by removing damaged bone and grafting new tissue and muscle from Louie’s arm or thigh. We are thankful for an incredible team working tirelessly to put together a plan that will address all of the issues they have identified and give Louie the ability to heal.

In the middle of all of this, God keeps showing up in the sweetest ways. Last night, Louie was moved to a regular room and early this morning one of Louie’s ICU nurses came by just to drop off a coloring book and pencils. And when Marianne joked with the discharge planner about getting help “breaking out,” the planner teased back that she’d probably get a “permanent vacation” for that one — a little laughter right when it was needed most.

One especially meaningful encouragement came from a dear friend who attends church with Louie and Marianne. This friend recently walked through head and neck cancer herself and is now cancer free. She sent them a message of hope along with this powerful reminder from Isaiah 43:1–3:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Louie and Marianne's steadfastness and posture of hope are a great reminder for us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. It is so easy to get caught up in the difficulties we face, the tiredness and heaviness we often feel, and the hurdles we each have to overcome. Our hope is that even in seasons of hardship, you’ll catch the sweet reminders of God’s love and grace all around you.

Take a deep breath and tell God ALL.THE.THINGS. He cares deeply, and He delights in hearing from you. Open His Word, even if it’s just for five minutes — He will meet you there. Worship is your greatest weapon, so sing and praise His name. Lean on your family, friends, and church family; God uses the people around us to lift us up when we feel weighed down. Remember, there is always hope, even when life feels dark or overwhelming. God is constant, He is good, and He will never change. We can place our full trust in Him.

Here are some specific ways you can pray for Marianne and Louie:

-That they will be discharged and get some much needed rest in the comfort of their home

-Strength and peace for Louie and Marianne as surgery approaches

-Wisdom and guidance for Dr. H and his team that will be performing the surgery

-Complete healing in Louie's body and a great recovery

-That every person who needs to hear about the love of Christ will be impacted by Louie and Marianne's story

We are believing that this is a season of refinement, and even in the fire, God is at work. Marianne and Louie are leaning on the Lord, trusting that He is their rock and their rest.

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” – Psalm 62:1–2

Thank you for continuing to walk alongside them — keep the love and prayers coming!

Sara