  MAY 30, 2001 Lance, dubbed affectionately by Lynn as "Sir Lance" is battling stage IV colon cancer, first diagnosed in December 2000 at stage II. No surgery was done at the time. Instead, doctors chose the chemo route of treatment :-( Unfortunately Lance's cancer has continued to spread, and is now in his lung, lymph system and has also been diagnosed in his kidneys this past week. He recently underwent surgery to remove an obstruction and have a colostomy placed in order to make him more comfortable. At this time, Lance is having a fair amount of pain and discomfort still. He is weak and tires easily. Please pray for Lance as his prognosis is not so good. Treatment is palliative at this point. He lives alone with his Mom who is a wonderful caregiver for him, but he is worried about how she will fare when he must go on to heaven. Lance and his Mom are Christians and so have that sure hope of heaven, but it is still hard to walk through that valley of the shadow of death. When I think of Lance, the verses below his updates, come to mind. . SEPTEMBER 15, 2001 I wanted to bring an update on Lance. It has been a very difficult summer for him. The cancer seems to be everywhere, yet also seems to be at a standstill, somewhat, in its growth. He is suffering greatly. : ( He has a good bit of pain & nausea, and it is very difficult for him to breathe, due to the tumors in his lungs. This month he is now also battling a fungal infection in both lungs - very difficult to eradicate. Lance weighs a mere 80 lbs now and has not eaten in weeks and weeks, for he is unable to retain any solids. His doctor recently inserted a feeding tube to allow him to receive some nourishment. His body is so very weak, yet his spirit remains strong. In spite of his tremendous suffering, there are good moments for Lance when he can briefly go online as he once used to . .. he can sometimes feel up to reading a bit . . . and he tries hard to visit when family and friends come calling. Lance now has 2 nurses who live there and provide wonderful fulltime care for him. One in particular, Mary, has become very dear to Lance and he often refers to her as an angel! Most of Lance's days are spent asleep though, and his nights are filled with pain and struggle to breathe. : ( Please continue to pray for dear Lance. He is hanging in there so hard, so firm .. and I know God is still with him, and still giving him aid, mercy and grace to endure . . but it is difficult for us who love him, to helplessly stand by and see him suffer so. Pray for his comfort until God determines it is time for him to come home.  SEPTEMBER 24, 2001Lance was taken to the doctor today after suffering greatly in the last several days and nights. He was found to be suffering from a difficult strain of pneumonia. : ( Needless to say, Lance was quite discouraged with this latest news. He is still battling the aggressive lung fungus and now this pneumonia has complicated that situation. Lance desperately desires our prayers for him to endure now. He is so weak and tired. He wants to overcome this latest obstacle, but he is just growing tired. : ( Thank you for remembering him in prayer. FEBRUARY 6, 2002 We have not done an update on Lance in a long while since his condition fluctuates so. He has had a slow, but sure recovery from the fungus that plagued his lungs. He has also recovered from the pneumonia and had no further problems with that. Despite having no treatment aimed at stopping the cancer, in months and months, he is holding fairly steady. This is most unusual, and there seems to be no real explanation for this. Lance states that he still continues to deal with pain and weakness, but his cancer does not seem to be acting agressively at this point. Please continue to pray for Lance's comfort.
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
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