A Surprise Visit

We always try these days to find the silver lining to the clouds, and it really does help make days brighter. We are, yet again, on hold as to when the new transplant procedure will begin. This week, the doctor told Roger that he will have to undergo a liver biopsy this coming Tuesday, due to some elevated levels that have them concerned. Please be in prayer for him Tuesday morning during this procedure. They tell us it is pretty standard and "easy", but they will be going in through his jugular vein to do it. They also say that sounds a lot worse than it is. The results will tell us more about his ability to endure the next treatments and transplant. Anyway, we are still in a holding pattern.

However, that does leave us with a few extra days on our hands, so we decided to jump on a plane and head home for the weekend, and were able to surprise a few friends in the process. We came home Wed. night and have surely been enjoying the time with family. That's where the "silver lining" part comes in: if we were still on schedule, we couldn't have had this extra time in Tennessee, something we had totally not expected.

God's ways and timing may not be our own, but He always shows us that His plans are better than ours anyway!

When we return to Houston on Sunday night, we jump back into the routine of doctors' appointments, tests, etc., while waiting on the hospital admission date to approach (whenever that may be). It is easy sometimes to feel frustrated, but again, we are learning many lessons in patience.

Roger's test results are improving in many areas, showing that his body is responding to the treatments that he has already had. We are very grateful for that!

I'd also like to add how extremely grateful we are to you all for your prayers and support. I may say that in each post, but it will never be enough. Because of the financial support you have provided, we have been able to make these trips and keep two households afloat. We are also thankful to Southwest and their Rapid Rewards program for the free tickets that we used to come home this weekend!

We hope you are having a blessed Christmas season and remembering the real reason for the season. He is alive! He is living in our hearts and pouring out His blessings on us continuously!

In His Grip,
Debbie

Comments

[Lucille "Lou" May]

Roger and Debbie...you are in our prayers daily. May God Bless each of you in a very special way during the holiday season and may you get wonderful news next week about your treatments and transplant. I long for the day to hear L5 at Reynolds Auditorium in Winston-Salem, NC. I keep hoping and praying another Earl Carney will come along and start having some of those great singings we enjoyed for so many years. God is still in control and he is right there with you each step of the way. God Bless...

[Bernie and Terry Shirkie]

This is certainly more than a silver lining Debbie!! It is a GOLDEN opportunity for you guys to see your folks and enjoy time together! I hope none of them are trying to figure out what that Roger has bought them for Christmas!! We continue in prayer for you. Love Bernie and Terry

[Aunt Beverly]

Debbie & Roger, We will be praying for both of you and the doctors as things go along We are sure praying and hoping that things will turn around for the better real soon. Roger & Debbie, just remember you all are in a lot of people's thoughts. I'll try to send another card to you in a few days. Love Aunt Bev. & Uncle Mike

[Chrsitine Strecker]

Deb amd Rpger.

I love you both dearly and am praying for you both and the doctors and all that come in contact with you and that God would use you both for his glory while you are in Texas !
Merry Christmas
Christine Strecker
Prattville, AL

[RUBY AYERS]

HI DEBBIE AND ROGER, SO GLAD TOO GET THE UPDATE TODAY, I CHECK EVERYDAY FOR AN UPDATE AND WAS GLAD TOO GET THIS ONE TODAY, SO GLAD YOU ARE GETTING TOO VISIT HOME FOR A FEW DAYS, I KNOW THE CHILDREN ARE GLAD YOU ARE HOME. YES, GOD HAS A TIMING FOR EVERYTHING, I AM PRAYING EVERY DAY FOR ALL OF YOU, AND KNOW GOD CAN WORK MIRACLES FOR HE HAS WORKED TWO GREAT MIRACLES IN MY LIFE AND I FEEL FINE AND KNOW THE SAME CAN HAPPEN TOO ROGER. WILL HAVE YOU BOTH IN MY PRAYERS NEXT WEEK AS I DO EVERY DAY. KEEP US POSTED AND KNOW THAT WE LOVE YOU AND ROGER AM WAITING TOO HEAR LF WITH YOU AT THE PIANO, IF YOU ALL EVER GET TOO FLORIDA. I CHECK THESCHEDULE OFTEN TOO SEE IF LF IS GOING TOO BE ANYWHERE WITHING 100 MILES FROM US, BUT SO FAR NO LUCK. TAKE CARE AND KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU ALL AND YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, RUBY AYERS PANAMA CITY, FL.

[Nancy]

I'm so glad you got to go home for a few days; how wonderful! Enjoy your mini-vacation from hospitals, tests, etc. and know that we love you all dearly and continue to lift you up in prayer.
Love and hugs,
Nancy

[Betty Ann Burnett]

Dear Roger, You have been an inspiration to our family. The Lord blessed us with 5 foster children, who came to know the Lord and learned to sing - Southern Gospel - via
Gaither videos. We ministered in prisons, etc. as "The Burnett Family Singers". Five years ago I developed breast cancer after a "misdirected", anti-Christian social worker moved the children into separate homes. I was given 5 years to live unless I had chemotherapy, surgery, etc. The Lord lead me to King Hezekiah and asked me to "trust Him". I studied about cancer and learned that the immune system is the key and that our foods are so processed that we lack trace minerals. I began taking trace minerals in red grape juice (also high in iron and antioxidants) and I am well, energized and without a trace of cancer. Please do what you can knowing the Lord will do the rest -- He wants you healthy to complete the work he has for you. We are praying for perfect health for you. Be blessed.

[Vicky]

I'm so glad Roger felt like making the trip back home. A change of scenery will probably do BOTH of you some good. My friends keep asking me whose picture is on my computer, bulletin board and mentioned on my screen saver. I've been able to get several people interested enough to say they'll be praying for your family during this time. Please know that the rope in Austin has several more hands holding on to it, and a long prayer chain. I'm beginning to think of you two as Texans, so it'll be a shock when you finally leave our wonderful (and BIG) state and head for home. Take care, and may God bless both of you as well as your "extended" families.

Holdin' on tight in Austin. Vicky

[Vicky]

Not to say the doctors aren't correct, but a friend/co-worker just said she's had a liver biopsy done, and it was NOT done the way the doctors are telling you and Roger. Perhaps they are talking about a different procedure. I'm not very good at anatomy, but I DON'T think there is a way to hit the liver through the jugular vein. At least, I don't think so. I think I would question this procedure VERY THOROUGHLY before it's done. Nicole had this done in 1999, so I doubt the procedure has changed very much in 5 years. PLEASE make certain you two are fully cognizant with what the procedure is. That whole idea is very scary, and very strange-sounding.

Try http://www.gicare.com/pated/epdlv27.htm

Pullin' on that rope even TIGHTER in Austin, TX. vas

[dan]

Hey Roger & Deb, Dreamed I was hold Roger's head up last nite. And he had hair! Just a note to say I am praying for both of you nite and day, and as Paul says, without ceasing. God is good! May you continue to grow with Him. Thanks for diary. It means so much for ya'll to take the time to keep us updated. Holding tight in Woodlawn, IL
Dan

[craig and rena]

Hello Roger and Family!!! We have all been patiently waiting for news from you. We just got our computer set up and got the internet back, so maybe we can keep in touch better now. All that
you have been through the last while just seems so overwhelming to us, I know you could not have done it without such an amazing support "system".
We seem to feel like there is so little that we have been able to do to show you how concerned we are, but there have been many prayers prayed for you and Debbie and the kids, and somehow we just know you feel our love and concern through that.
Madalyn is our faithful prayer reminderer!! She lifts your name in prayer daily!!! You would love her sweet---sometimes very long and detailed-prayers. Have a Great weekend!
weloveyouall--craig, rena, caitlin, madalyn, &caleb

[Paul Pate]

Roger and Debbie:
I just want to tell you that I have had a special prayer burden for you for some time now. All of the family is mentioned by name every night before I go to sleep. I appreciate your positive attitude and believe that God will be glorified through this.

[Lula]

Hi, so glad that you were able to go home for a few days. These little surprise visits are the best ones. (unexpected pleasures)
I do hope and pray that your family will be able to enjoy the Christmas season. We are
so Blessed to know the real meaning of Christmas and the One Who made it possible.
Thanks again for letting us know the plan
so far as you know it.
Take care, and may God continue to Bless
you and your family.
Love and prayers from Virginia,
Harold and Lula

[Julia Hunt]

How nice that you were able to fly home for a few days. While you're in a holding pattern we will continue to pray and hold tight to the ropes in Iowa.
Blessings

[Jackie]

Dear Roger and Debbie,

You have been an inspiration to me over the past years. I have followed your progress and prayed for you and have gained strength from your testimonies. Two years ago I had colon cancer, and the doctor removed my colon and said that further treatment was not necessary since the lymph nodes were clear. Two months ago it was back. I went in for surgery and there was nothing they could do. I am full of cancer. Chemo won't help.

However, I am so thankful for the encouragement that you have been to me. And I'm thankful that we serve a God who enables us to face each new test with confidence. He does not let anything happen to us without walking us through and working it for good. I have had numerous chances to witness since I was diagnosed. And I know that the Lord is going to give me as many days as I need to complete His work here. I will be trying some alternative things. The doctor gave me zilch hope. And he was not happy when I said that I was a Christian and the Lord was going to be with me and I was not afraid. He told me that I did not have to see him again. Just like that.

Thank God for His faithfulness to His children. I pray for you and your family and I know that someday I'm going to: "See you at the house." What a day that's going to be!

I'm also In His Grip in Grand Rapids, MI
Jackie

[Helen Johnson]

What a thrill it must have been to go home to Tennessee. Our Lord is so rich in wisdom when it comes to supplying our needs. Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus...." Your faith and trust has not gone unrewarded. Wayne and I will be holding tight to the rope as you face the upcoming liver biopsy. Love to all the Bennett family. Helen

[Ann Woodward]

Hi Roger and Debbie,
So glad to hear from you and to know the doctors are looking at each situation before proceeding. I'm so glad you got your visit in. I'm from Tennessee originally, WA state now and each visit back is so much fun.
I'll continue to pray for all of you. This can't be easy, but know there are so many prayers being lifted for you and hopefully all will go well Tuesday and then on with God's miracle.
In His Love,
Ann Woodward

[Sue]

You're on my prayer list as I lift up family and friends to our Heavenly Father who knows all and will answer. My husband and I started the Hallelujah Diet little over a year ago. Enjoying good health now. It is basicly a lot of freshly extracted vegetable juices, no white flour products, no refined sugar and
no animal products. Many reports have come in of different types of cancer being completely cured wit this lifestyle change. If you are interested they have a web site www.hacres.com. The worldwide base of operation for Hallelujah Acres is in Shelby, NC. It's not some little fly-by-night group. Hope you'll check it out. Still praying and will continue.
Sue

[Clara]

Since I am relatively new at this sort of thing, I was reading some of the previous messages that people have posted (is that the correct word?) on your site. From what my niece tells me, most of the people who write these messages have never met either of you personally, and yet they seem to have a great deal of love and affection for you. It warms my heart to know that so many people can unite in a common cause, and that prayer is still alive and well in so many states. You two must be an incredible couple to inspire such devotion in so many people.

May I add that even though the procedure you mention sounds "unusual", it is not extremely so. I understand from a nephew, who is a doctor, that this method is used when other methods are not as favorable. He said you should definitely ask your doctor questions, and be certain you understand the procedure, but not to worry unnecessarily. My own opinion is that you should listen also to your "hear", and go with whatever makes you comfortable. You already have the prayers of hundreds of people, and I feel certain (age does give you a tiny bit of "insight") that everything will be perfectly fine. It's regrettable, Mr. Bennett, that you will have to undergo yet another procedure, but it must be medically necessary or it wouldn't be done.

It goes without saying, of course, that I wish you Godspeed, and that you will soon be able to be at home once again. Texas is a wonderful place, IF you've lived here for many years or been born here. I am not so biased as to think there's nowhere else like Texas, because there is. Tennessee is one of those states, even though it's been more than 50 years since I was last through there. May God continue to bless you both, and your families. I, too, will help hold the "rope". (And listen to your wife; we usually "know best":)

[Morgan]

What a nice surprise for you two! I'm sure it feels great to finally be home if only for a few days! We're holding the ropes--and will especially be thinking and praying for Roger on Tuesday.

[joyce veal]

Roger and Debbie, you are in my prayers daily and often. I watch for your posts and print them out. My husband is also a victim of lymphoma and CLL and just started chemo. All things work together for the good for those who love the Lord . . . and we trust Him! He loves us. Glad you can be with family at home for a few days and pray for the best to come. Joyce in Oregon

[Nina Foster]

Thank you for sharing your special "surprise" news. I had checked earlier today and didn't see anything new--then when I read Scott's e-letter in which he said he would let you tell us your news, I had to check to see what was happening! I am so pleased you are able to take this trip.

On Tuesday I will be getting ready to leave for North Carolina (Southern Gospel Country!), but my prayers will still be with you. While I am back there, I will still be able to do a daily check.

We pray for God's healing presence to be with you, Roger, while you have this procedure. Love to you both. Nina--from California.

[Dorcas McColl - Australia]

Be assured of our continued prayerful remembrance of you and your loved ones, Roger. 'I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee.' Isaiah 41:10
Affectionately in Christ - the McColl Family (Brisbane - Australia)

[John &Brenda Nix]

Roger and Debbie
your faith is such an encouragement to all of us. Our prayers are with you and we areso glad to hear you were able to make the trip to spend time with family and friends. Always in our prayers John and Brenda from South Carolina.

[Janet Evans]

I always enjoy getting here to find updates and to read that God is answering the prayers of his people on behalf of the Bennett family.

Will keep praying,
JAnet