- June 6: Daniel Burlingame had the doctor's appointment and had encouraging news. He will be staying on oral antibiotics for a while more, and be reassessed in a few weeks. Thanks for your prayers.
- June 5: Melanie Odens relates the following, quoting: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41: 10. Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. Psalm 30:2. Amber got her results this afternoon and got to talk to her doctor. Her scan was clear! Praise God! Every time a scan is recommended and scheduled it is tricky...isn't it? The leading up to it... the day of...God is in the waiting. His soul-filling, invisible presence. He sits with us and calms us. One more area of prayers is Amber's heart. Due to some medication, she has had some "heart palpitations" and so her doctor ordered an EKG. She had that test and the results came early this evening that she will have a ECHO tomorrow (time TBD). Amber (and our whole family) thank you for your prayers. Amber said a few times how she knew people were praying because she could feel it. We know others are needing our prayers and we are praying for you too. We thank you for your prayers, love and support. God continues to use you in a powerful way. Prayer Requests-*Praise-good health continues *Heart tests come back unaffected *Clear scan for decades and decades. Thanks so much. All our love,--Melanie Odens”
- June 5: Melanie Odens relates the following, quoting: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41: 10. Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. Psalm 30:2 Thursday morning sweet Amber has her next scan. We are praying that her results reflect a clear scan. Please join our family in this, if you are able and think about it Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Thank you for your love and prayers. --The Poppen Family”
- June 5: Laura Thesenvitz relates the following, quoting: “This week it was time for Christopher’s follow up surveillance scans. Yesterday morning we drove out and he had his MRI in the afternoon and we passed the rest of the rainy afternoon spending some time together before finding some dinner and then checking in to our hotel and attempting to scroll through Netflix to find something to commit time to watch before calling it a night. This morning we had enough time to take in a quick breakfast at the hotel before starting the day with blood work, chest CT and then passing time until we could meet with Dr Ho for the oncology check-in. Meeting with Dr. Ho we discussed all of the tests – Blood work - was fairly normal overall. She is going to increase the thyroid meds slightly since his numbers are still trending after being on the adjusted dose for several months. Otherwise she is happy with blood work. Chest CT – there wasn’t much for concerning new growth but there are some mild signs pneumonitis beginning (lung swelling / opacity on the scans) that was also seen last year when he was first on Keytruda. MRI – No new growth within the lower lumber of the spine. However there is continued growth within the thoracic, especially the T-10, T-11 and T-12. This doesn’t come as a surprise with his increase in discomfort with back and rib pain, but does still bring a level of disappointment in that the immunotherapy isn’t doing it’s job. SO…. Following discussion of what the tests look like we had a lengthy conversation on what some options are moving forward: 1. Stop treatment altogether: 2. Stop the immunotherapy (Ketruda) and start an oral chemo drug (Cabozantinib) – different from the one tried late last year: 3. Continue with the immunotherapy (Ketruda) and the other oral chemo drug (Cabozantinib) together. It was decided that he is going to continue with immunotherapy and she is putting in the order to request to add in Cabozantinib -an oral chemo drug. Basically, she is calling in one more reinforcement in hopes that combining them, they will have a synergistic effect before the Keytruda causes any further lung issues that would force the need to stop using it and giving it one more chance to be successful at slowing the growth. There is so little information on anything that has been successful in treatment against chondrosarcoma so she is using an oral chemo drug that has shown some better succuss with soft tissue sarcomas when paired with immunotherapy. Thus the synergistic effect = better/more effective together. In theory it seems simple – keep moving forward, add a new medication and pray. Three simple steps and yet my heart remains a bit heavy and anxious. So I will ask for your help and call in your reinforcement for step three. Step one was completed today by moving forward with immunotherapy treatment as planned. Next (step 2) the Cabozantinib needs to be approved by insurance or helped to be pushed through their possible compassionate access grant program on the pharmaceutical side. Adding this additional drug of course comes with possible side effects and things that will need to be monitored and may bring back that sexy white hair.. but if it will slow the progression and aggression of the beast, then it will be worth the try. Third and most important, we will continue to pray for strength and faith in His plan as we take each day as it comes. I pray that we will take advantage of the time we have and make the most of it - to find the joy, even in the small things and remember to celebrate our milestones, wins, gains and time we have together. I pray that we stay healthy and strong. I pray to keep us going in all directions and remember to ask for help and accept it graciously. I pray for continued, blessed, GOOD time together. Christopher’s immunotherapy schedule will remain on a 3 week cycle currently and we will give an update again once we know more or he is able to start the oral chemo. We are so thankful for the constant outpouring of love and support we continue to receive from so many directions! Thank you for your continued prayers and help in SO many ways! Words are not enough, but please know how much we appreciate each and every one of you. Day to day and week to week, there are so many that have been such warm and bright rays of sunshine on gloomy days or helped at the perfect time (and you didn’t even know it) – Thank you! --Laura Thesenvitz”
- June 4: Our condolences go out to Jenna Hooogendoorn and her family on the passing of her Grandma Janet. Please keep them in your prayers. Thanks.
- June 4: Daniel Burlingame reports that he had an MRI and it shows some troubling things. He will see the doctor again on Friday. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks
- June 3: Denny Spitler has chronic foot pain. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks.
- June 1: Larry Long has been discharged from the hospital. He will be healing up at home from his pelvis fracture. Please pray for a swift recovery. Thanks
- May 31: Larry Long fell and injured his pelvis. He has been hospitalized at Sanford. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks
- May 31: Heidi Blom relates the following about Sharen Harms, quoting: “Mom update: We have had many requests for an update on mom. We are 3 weeks and 2 days post surgery. The first 8-10 days were the honeymoon phase. It was like she didn’t just have a 10 hour brain surgery. Then, as she weened off the steroids, she started to have a little more head pain, but nothing Tylenol couldn’t take care of. Now these last 3 days have been a different story. She is barely sleeping and is in a lot more pain, and the pain is all over not just on the back side of her head. Tylenol is no longer doing the job. She is trying to keep the house dark and quiet and likes to sleep in her recliner. She loves sitting outside watching the golfers (thank goodness that’s a quiet sport) and seeing all the different birds on their feeders. We knew this going in, the 6-9 month recovery is a rollercoaster. It’s just so hard to see her in pain and not be able to do much. The good news, her incision is healing wonderfully, she didn’t have any cerebral spinal fluid leak and her balance has been pretty darn good! Thanks for all those that continue to pray for her recovery, she soaks in the good hours and we pray through the tough ones. 1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayers” –Heidi Blom”
- May 31: Joe McMartin was discharged from the hospital. He is now on blood thinners. Please pray he has no side effects. Thanks.
- May 29: Joe McMartin was admitted to the hospital, last night (Wednesday), with a blood clot in his left lung. Please pray for him and his medical team caring for him. Thanks.
- May 28: Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Delores Hassebroek, who passed away. Joyce Tarrell reports the following, quoting: “I am requesting prayers for our family. Our sister, Delores Hassebroek, passed away last night. She was the oldest of 11 children and had been diagnosed with dementia. We feel the Lord decided it was time to bring her home. Thank you for lifting us up with your prayers.—Joyce Tarrell”
- May 27: Jon Harmsen relates the following, quoting: “Here is a response from Gracia and another prayer request! Praise and prayer request (2.0) Praise: We are absolutely shocked and delighted to say that the spinal cord stimulator (DRG) took Gracia’s average pain down by 60% and completely changed her life over the last 96 hours. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! She hasn’t been this pain free in years. She said it was amazing to have her brain freed up from thinking about pain, to being able to function and focus on other things. Since having it removed today, her pain is back and has shown even more how significantly life improved for her with the DRG. We will be moving forward to pursue a permanent DRG. She is so excited about what the future holds and how delightfully ‘normal’ things may be. Prayer request: We hope and pray that while we wait for her permanent DRG that her pain would be held to manageable levels especially as we leave for a 12 day summer mission in San Diego with Cru. Please pray for low and manageable pain levels, that God would move in and through the staff and college students on the summer mission as we look to bring the gospel to the beaches and area college campuses, and that we might get some sweet moments as a family while we are out there as well! Thanks for the prayer and for celebrating with us!!—Jon Harmsen”
- May 27: Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Donna White, who passed away late Monday evening (May 26). She was the mother of Darcy Barrett, who is Steve Barrett wife. Steve is the son of Wilma and John Barrett, Please keep the family in your prayers. Thanks.
- May 24: Donna White, (mother of Darcy Barrett) is in Ava's Hospice house. Steve Barrett (Darcy's husband) requests prayer for Donna and the whole family). Thanks.
- May 23: Jon Harmsen relates the following, quoting: “Gracia Update: Overall, the procedure went well! It was much more complicated and complex than originally planned. What was supposed to be a 45 minute surgery, turned into a 2 hour long operation. she is super sore right now and doesn’t have a ton of range of motion. We won’t know how effective the spinal cord stimulator is until 24-36 hours, as her body gets used to it. Right now she desperately needs good rest and relief from surgical pain. Please continue to pray it’s life changing for her!—Jon Harmsen”
- May 23: Cal Klein is now home. He had the angiogram and that had good results. He will be seeing some other doctors for further assessments. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks.
- May 23: Marcia Thornton's tendon surgery (on the back of her wrist) went well. Thanks for your prayers. She will be in a brace for about two weeks.
- May 23: Jodi Ackerman had total knee replacement on May 21. Please keep her in your prayers as she recovers. Thanks!
- May 22: Marcia Thornton is having same-day surgery on a tendon in her right wrist on Friday. Please keep her in your prayers. Thanks.
- May 22: Jon Harmsen relates the following, quoting: "Praise and prayer request: Gracia has been fighting with her insurance for half a year to get a necessary spinal cord stimulator approved in order to (Lord willing) decrease some of her debilitating pain caused by some extreme nerve damage from previous surgeries. The Lord would have it that the day after Easter, she got a call that this procedure, to our surprise, had been miraculously approved!! We were floored at God’s timing—it was an incredible reminder of the opportunity that we have of new life in the resurrection!! (In the words of Pastor Clyde, “that will preach”). Tomorrow she gets the trial, if the trial goes well, she will move on to get a permanent spinal cord stimulator 4-6 weeks from when she gets the trial removed. So in all of this, please pray for a painless, successful, straightforward, and dare I say “simple” procedure tomorrow that either dramatically lessens her pain or completely takes it away. For her pain control, there is no other option. We need a miracle either way, whether God chooses to work through this device or by his own miraculous means, our eyes are glued to Him for what might come next. Please keep her in your prayers over the next 24 or so hours—thanks everyone!-- Jon Harmsen”
- May 22: Cal Klein is in the heart hospital for possible angiogram. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks
- May 21: Joann Bos had her carotid surgery today and reportedly it went well. She will spend at least one night in the hospital. Please pray for her recovery. Thanks!
- May 15: Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Alida VerBurg on her passing. The life celebration service will be on Monday at Community Reformed Church with visitation from 1 pm to 2:30 pm, and the funeral at 3 pm. Please keep them in your prayers. Thanks
- May 14: New prayer request. Grace Collins relates the following, quoting: “Update: back to the hospital this morning. had an X-Lap (exploratory laparoscopy). They figured out I had a bowel obstruction but weren’t sure the cause until they got in. They found an intestinal hernia. They pulled out the strangulated intestine and patched the hernia hole. Recovery is going well.—Grace Collins”
- May 14: Our belayed condolences go out to the family and friends of Richard "Rick" Norris, who passed away on April 28. His life celebration service was out of town on May 2. Please keep his loved ones in your prayers. Thanks
- May 13 Bill Klein is now home from the hospital. Please keep praying for his full recovery. Thanks.
- May 13: Joann Bos is scheduled for carotid artery (neck) surgery next week on Wednesday (May 21). Please keep her in your prayers. Thanks
- May 13: Laura Thesenvitz relates the following, quoting: “We’ve let the time slip again but we haven’t felt the need to give frequent updates in that things have started to settled in and have “normalized” to a certain extent and we are taking care to enjoy all the good days we can as we encounter them. And of course, life is the usual chaotic mess with 2 kids in school and activities.. ha! Immunotherapy continues to go smoothly and as planned every 3 weeks. The plan is to stay the course for the time being and the next surveillance scans are currently scheduled for the day before the infusion scheduled the first week of June. Those will give us a little better picture of what/if the infusions are doing what they should be and if there is anything else to be discussed at that time. Huge blessing and highlight of the last couple of months was a “simple benefit” Christopher’s co-workers wanted to put on for us that simply turned into a major EVENT! SO MANY people came out and it was an overwhelming outpouring of support shown by everyone that helped put it on, those that came out to the benefit and those that supported us by sending donations and even complete strangers that have never met us, but saw Christopher’s story and felt compelled to share their love and generosity with us… we were/ still are at a loss to properly thank everyone for coming out and being a part of that night, so if you helped put it on, came out to support, bid on an auction item, sent in a donation, said a prayer over us from afar – THANK YOU! Thank you, from our entire family, you provided for us in ways that we will not be able to explain or repay. Someday we hope to be able to pay it forward. Because of the benefit, one of the most important things we were able to do was get the bathroom renovation going in the house – like all home remodel projects, it is taking a little longer than expected to be all the way finished, but the most important pieces are competed and in usable condition. Christopher is now able to access the bathroom and use the toilet and shower – (all independently!) none of which were doable without my assistance prior, due to extremely limited accessibility (gotta love a mid 1980s home). We’ve also added a stair lift to the basement and thanks to “Handy Grandpa Pete” we also have an additional platform and ramp at the bottom of the stairs for Christopher to now access the basement again! For the first time in 12-13 weeks, we were able to share a bedroom – HUGE win! Amazing what that can do for your emotional support. This week Christopher also received his new custom wheelchair! BIG improvement from the first basic model his been wheeling around in and he’s been working on getting used to his new “hot rod” the last few days. It’ll take some getting used to with it being a solid frame chair and little different size and wheel depth and such, but all good in the overall! Looking forward to the new possibilities and praying it brings more comfort in the days for him. Though the days still have ups and downs and there are still hard days and routines aren’t quite figured out or smooth and simple, we are so incredibly thankful for the blessings and the good days. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to each and every one of you that continue to bless us with your generosity and most importantly, your love and constant prayers!! –Laura Thesenvitz”
- May 10: Bill Klein is in the hospital with a possible UTI and low Sodium. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks
- May 9: Heidi Blom relates the following about her mom, Sharen Harms, quoting: “Discharge day!!! Hard to fathom but it’s true! Mom had a pretty good night, she slept good until about 2:30 then woke up with pretty significant head pain and also some stomach pain. It is so hard for her to get comfortable in these hospital beds. As they wean her off the steroids, we are told to expect some facial swelling, but we also know every person is different, so we take it hour to hour. We let mom decide if she wants to sleep, sit up in a chair or go for a walk. She got out side today and while she was resting on a bench they met Eleanor who is finishing 10 months of treatment for muscle cancer. Dad knelt down and prayed for her. She’s finishing 2nd grade, so if you all could also say a healing prayer for her, that would be great as well. Eating hard food and chewing it is a no go for mom, the noise in her head is too much for her, so fruit smoothies some baked sweet potatoes and fish is what we will be consuming for the time being. Mom will have a tendency to “steer left” when she walks bc that’s the side that the tumor was on and her balance is affected.. so dad said “well, when you got on a walk you will eventually get back to where your started if you keep turning left.” Not that she will be walking alone anytime soon, but nice to have a little humor at the end of this week. I will update how these next 3-4 days go at home next week. Thanks for the continued prayers. “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.” Psalm9:1-2—Heidi Blom”
- May 9: Judy Van Meeteren's knee replacement went well. She will be in overnight. Please keep her recovery in your prayers.
Shana Hay went home yesterday. Please pray for her recovery from the cervical neck surgery. Thanks - May 8: Sharen Harm's family relates the following, quoting: "Update: Well, I think this is where we see Gods goodness and mom’s strength shine. We are in awe of how alert she is and she just keeps plugging along. Goal for today is to shower and wash hair, do a few more walks and take her on a wheelchair ride outside for some fresh air. She just ate some breakfast which is a huge win! Doctors just did rounds and said we could go home tomorrow!! They know how uncomfortable these bed are.. lol. So that’s our goal. Prayers for her pain today to stay on the lower side, and the drive home to not be super noisy or bumpy. Thanks again for all the support, it brings mom to tears to know how many people care and love her. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7-Doug, Eric, Trisha and Heidi" - May 7: Judy Van Meeteren will be having knee surgery on Friday, May 9. She will probably spend one night in the hospital. Please keep her in your prayers. Thanks!
- May 7: Mike reports that Shanda Hay's neck/spine surgery went well. Shanda is in recovery. Please continue to pray for her recovery. Thanks
- May 7: Heidi Blom relates the following about her mom, Sharen Harms, quoting: “Well, she made it through a 9+ hour surgery. We got to see her about 8:30 last night and now the next hurdle. Pain and keeping anything down. So much pain in her right hip from laying on it for 9 hours, neck pain and of course, horrible head pain. She cannot keep anything down, nothing. So that is our next prayer request, that her pain could subside.. even a little and she could get some rest. Thanks for all the incredibly kind messages, we have read every single one of them. We know mom has an army behind her and Heavenly Father who is walking right along side her and a husband of 50 years that won’t leave her side.—Heidi Blom”
- May 6: Doug Harms reports the following, quoting: " Sharen is out of surgery. We spoke with the surgeons and they said things went very well. They were able to take 98% of the tumor and no apparent nerve damage. We won’t be able to actually see her for a couple hours. Thank the Lord and thanks for all your prayers! --Doug Harms
- May 6: Doug Harms relates this about Sharen, quoting, "Mayo Clinic: In progress, going well. ENT operating under the scope at this time. Patient is still doing great."
- May 6: Sharen Harms is having brain surgery right now. 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday. It will last for several more hours. Please keep her in your prayers. Thank you.
- May 5: Shanda Hay will be having spinal surgery (in her neck area) on Wednesday. She is scheduled to be in the hospital overnight. She will then have a prolonged recovery. Please pray for a successful surgery and an easy recovery. Thanks
- May 5: Doug Harms relates the following, quoting: “We recently noticed that Sharen was suffering from a significant hearing loss in her left ear, as well as some balance issues. An MRI was ordered and it was discovered that she has a benign tumor slightly behind her left ear called an acoustic neuroma. The tumor is pressing on her auditory canal and her brain stem causing symptoms of hearing loss, balance issues and facial numbness. Because of its size, the only option is surgery, which is scheduled at Mayo Tuesday, May 6. It’s an extensive and delicate surgery that will take most of the day. Please pray for Sharen’s physical, mental and spiritual strength and that God‘s hand would be on the entire surgical team.—Doug Harms”
- May 2: Doug DeWit is doing better and his pacemaker is working well. He will be transferring to Encompass Rehab where he will get treatment for a while longer. He probably will be getting a heart valve procedure in about a month. Please continue to keep him in your payers. Thanks.
- May 1: Here are the funeral details for JoAnn Hanssen. A memorial service will be at the Miller Funeral Home Southside (7400 S Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57108) on Tuesday May 6, 2025, with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. and the funeral will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Hills of Rest. Thanks
- April 30: Our condolences and prayers go out to Chuck Hanssen and his family on the passing of his wife, JoAnn. Funeral details are pending. Please keep them all in your prayers.
- April 28: Doug DeWit had the pacemaker procedure and is now resting. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Thanks
- April 28: Please pray for Doug DeWit. He is scheduled to have a pacemaker replacement type of surgery today. Thank you
- April 27: Here are the funeral details for Kevin Stulkin, Lori Blom’s father. Visitation on Thursday May 1 from 5-7 PM. Funeral on Friday May 2 at 10 am at George Boom Funeral Home.
- April 27: Gary Van Den Hoek continues to have good progress with his ear with the cochlear implant and is having some hearing. The doctors will continue to make adjustments. Please for for this good news to continue. Thanks
- April 27: Daniel Burlingame has been discharged to home. He will be getting IV antibiotics at home for some time, but he is glad to be back with his wife and baby. Please pray for a complete healing and for restoration of his body. Thanks.
- April 26: Our condolences go out to Lori Blom and her family on the passing of her father, Kevin Stulken. Please keep the family in your prayers.
- April 26: Lori Blom's father, Kevin Stulken, has been admitted to the Dougherty Hospice House. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Thanks.
- April 26: Doug DeWit is in ICU at Sanford due to some heart episodes and seizures. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks
- April 25: Jenna Hooogendoorn relates the following, quoting: “My Grandma Janet (the one who fell recently) needs prayers big time. Over Easter weekend we noticed that she was severely jaundice and we quickly got her in to the doctors for testing. She had started a new medication which we thought caused it. Through many tests the doctors have now referred her to oncology. All we know is she has a tumor on her pancreas and a spot on her liver. The doctor that read her CT scan said she has a lot going on in there. She is 88 years old and trying to transition to Bethany Meadows. We need prayers that they get her moved soon so she can get the care she needs and takes some responsibility off my grandfather since his health isn’t great. I am so blessed to have so many grandparents alive still. –Jenna Hooogendoorn”
- April 24: Lori Blom's father, Kevin Stulken, who has cancer, has been admitted to inpatient oncology with heart failure. They are assessing treatment options and whatnot. Please keep him, his wife, and the family in your prayers. Thanks
- April 22: Please pray for Daniel Burlingame as he is having increased swelling and more pain in his arm, again. He is at Encompass, but they are talking about having to move him back to the hospital. Thank you.
- April 21: Ellen Garner reports that everything went well with her procedure today. She is home, sore, and resting. Please pray for her to fully recover quickly. Thanks
- April 20: Our sympathies to Dawn Beiswanger and her family on the passing of her father, Marion Van Der Plaats. Please keep them in your prayers.
- April 20: Daniel Burlingame is being transferred today, Sunday, to Encompass for rehab. Please continue to keep him and his family in your prayers. Thanks
- April 18: Our condolences go out to Roger and Cleone Leistra and their family in the passing of their daughter Andrea. Please keep them in your prayers. Thanks
- April 18: Ellen Garner will be having surgery on Monday, April 21 in Sioux Falls. This is to treat her Subglottic Stenosis (an airway disease) by widening the airway. Please pray for the preparations, the procedure, all of the doctors, and the recovery. Thank you!
- April 17: Dree and Terry Mayer's son-in-law Tony is doing well with his brain shunt. Things are looking much better, so that is a praise item. Thank you, Lord.
- April 17: Susan Bierwagen relates the following, quoting: "Marlene Weires is back home tonight. They diagnosed her with severe vertigo, which caused the fall. She is severely bruised, but, Thank The Lord, no head injury or broken bones. Tests for stroke and heart attack were all negative. Thank you for praying!--Susan Bierwagen"
- April 17: Marlene Weires, Susan Bierwagen's sister, has been taken to Sanford by ambulance after a fall this morning. We appreciate your prayers.
- April 16: Cheryl reports that Ron Hup's knee replacement surgery went well Please pray for his continued recovery and rehab.
- April 16: Vicki Traub reports that Gary is having some hearing in his ear with the cochlear implant. Please for for this good news to continue. Thanks
- April 15: Please continue to pray for Daniel Burlingame who has now been in Sanford Hospital for two weeks. He has developed some more complications and is unsure when he can go from the hospital to rehab. Also, would you please consider sending him a get well and encouragement card?
Sanford Hospital
Patient Daniel Burlingame
Room 5167
1300 W 18th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Thank you! - April 15: Gracia Harmsen relates the following about her dad, quoting: “Hi, friends. I know it’s been a bit since the last update to this page. In this case, it’s safe to say that no news is good news from our neck of the woods. Yesterday was his big 3 month scan, and today we met with the oncology team to go over the results before his usual chemo appointment. We knew going into it what the best & worst case scenarios were. Today, much to our surprise, we were greeted with good news. The very large tumor in his esophagus has shrunk substantially and inflammation has gone down SO much. All of the really big lymph nodes near esophagus and stomach are so much smaller that they’re barely noticeable on these new scans. We aren’t able to see inside his abdomen, but the general assumption is that if the cancer everywhere else has responded so well, then the cancer spots on his liver are likely barely there or completely gone. His bloodwork has remained very steady, as well. Konrad has been doing chemo every 2 weeks since starting in January. He has a unique ‘cocktail’ of chemo that he gets each time. Admittedly, this is probably not the cocktail he’d like to be enjoying lol. Other than usual chemo reactions (severe fatigue, body aches, etc), he has experienced significant neuropathy in his extremities, ears, and even his throat. He’s very sensitive to the cold in the first 5-ish days after chemo. This is all mainly due to one of his multiple chemo drugs. It’s a good one to have in the beginning, but it’s so notorious for causing this issue that it’s typically phased out by right about now. In an effort to not cause permanent nerve damage, we will likely be ridding ourselves of this drug in the next few weeks. Thankfully, we will continue the “work-horse” chemo (F5U Pump). Dad really doesn’t particularly like this one because he has to wear a continual chemo pump pack for a few days following his main chemo day. The pack gets in the way a lot and he always feels better when he can move around without the tube hooked up to him. Going forward, the current plan is to continue chemo every 2 weeks to keep us in this really good “maintenance” stage. We will rescan in another 3 months. The hope is that things stay how they are (maybe better??), and that there is NO regrowth. We are SO encouraged by how well the cancer has responded to treatment. We are very aware this isn’t usually this case for stage 4 esophageal cancer. We weren’t expecting to get the chance to make this kind of update, but we are so thankful that we can. As happy of an update as this is, know that things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows. This is still cancer, and it rears it’s ugly head every day. Anyone who has been on this journey before knows what we mean: the constant state of just not ever feeling great, the ever-present heaviness of reality always peeking around the corner, or even the weird elephant in the room of knowing that this is still stage 4 cancer and there’s not really any way to “reverse” it. Once again, we find ourselves in the ‘in-between’; the feeling of all of the things, the good and the hard. Nonetheless, we are grateful. Grateful for a good report, grateful for more time together. My 5-year-old son prayed a prayer this winter that replays in my head often, and it’s been ever-present during this cancer journey. It was a blessing to me, and I hope it is to you, as well. “Hey God. Thank you for the good things and for the hard things, too… Because even the hard things can point us back to You. Amen.” Prayer requests for the next 3 months: Pray that the cancer would continue to respond well to chemo. Pray for less debilitating fatigue and in its place, more energy! Pray that Konrad would continue to adjust to what his new normal will look like. Pray for peace that goes beyond all understanding. Sending you all of our love and hugs!!—Gracia Harmsen”
- April 15: Gary Van Den Hoek and his family are traveling to Mayo clinic for adjustments on his cochlear implant. He will be there about 2 days. Please pray for this to be successful for him. He will then have a continued period adjustment before we know whether his hearing has been restored. Thanks
- April 14: Cheryl Hup relates the following, quoting: "Ron will be having total knee replacement surgery in Sioux Falls on Wednesday morning, April 16. We would appreciate prayers for him, his medical team, and for a successful outcome. Thank you.- Cheryl Hup"
- April 14: Roger and Cleone Leistra relate the following, quoting: "Our daughter Andrea has been fighting cancer for three years. After exhausting almost all of the chemo options, the cancer has spread to her liver, lungs and brain. Her kidneys and liver are not doing what they need to do and her situation is very serious. Please pray for her and the family.--Roger and Cleone"
- April 13: Please pray for Jenna Hoogendoorn’s Grandma Garlene Van Veldhuizen. She has been hospitalized with possible stroke or seizures. The medical staff is running tests. Thanks.
- April 11: Cal Klein will be discharged from the hospital today (Friday), They did some medication adjustments and will be seeing how that goes. Please keep praying for him, Thanks
- April 11: Daniel Burlingame's surgery today went well. Please keep praying for him. Thanks
- April 11: Daniel Burlingame is having another surgery today (Friday) on his foot to drain the infection. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks.
- April 10: Daniel Burlingame is having some additional complications from his serious infection. He remains hospitalized. Please keep praying for him. Thanks.
- April 10: Our condolences go out to Lyle Weidenbach, and his family on the passing of his mother, Lorene, 98 of Scotland, South Dakota. Please keep them in your prayers. Thanks
- April 9: Cal Klein has been admitted to Avera hospital for testing. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Thanks
- April 6: Rachel Halverson relates the following, quoting: "We have a praise item and update for Anna. She has been seizure free for 8 months! She still has be clear for 2 full years before they do testing and possibly remove meds, so there is still a ways to go, but it’s a great start and her 2nd longest stretch.--Rachel Halverson"
Praise Jesus! Thank you Lord! - April 6: Daniel Burlingame had the surgeries today, on his foot and his arm. It went well, and the doctors are continuing to treat his infection with IV therapy and are running more blood cultures. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. Thanks
- April 6: Daniel Burlingame is having another surgery today (Sunday) to address the infection. This surgery will be into his foot again, and possible also into his arm. Please keep him, his wife Jessica, and their baby Luke in your prayers. Thanks.
- April 5: Steve Lee has been discharged from the hospital and will be travelling home today. Please keep him and Becky in your prayers. Thanks.
- April 4: Vicki reports that Gary Van Den Hoek, and Glenda are home now. Please keep praying that this surgery will restore Gary's hearing. That processes takes several weeks and other appointments. Thanks!
- April 4: Daniel Burlingame surgery went well. Please pray for him as they treat this serious infection. Thanks
- April 4: Daniel Burlingame will be having surgery today to drain infection from his foot. Possible surgery on his arm to do a similar thing, in the near future. Please pray for his healing from this severe infection. He will be hospitalized for some time. Thanks.
- April 4: Tracee reports that Caleb's surgery went well. Please keep his knee recovery in your prayers. Thanks
- April 3: Jon Harmsen relates the following, quoting: "Praise God! Gracia’s surgery went really well. They did NOT find anything severe when they inspected her abdominal area all, which is a MIRACLE!! She’s very sore, but we believe we have a good handle on pain control thus far, which is a blessing. She’ll be admitted for at least another day to ensure no complications arise. Thank you for covering her with prayer!--Jon Harmsen"
- April 3: Tracee reports that Caleb Ellwein is going to have knee surgery tomorrow for osteochrondritis dessicans. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks
- April 3: The tests have shown that Daniel Burlingame has an infection in two different joints and in his blood. He will be hospitalized through the weekend. Please keep him, his wife Jessica, and their 14-month old son, in your prayers. Also, is anyone available to assist Jessica with some childcare over the weekend so she can spend some time with Daniel? If so, please contact John Thornton for her contact info. Thanks.
- April 3: Jon Harmsen relates the following, quoting: "Gracia is undergoing an ‘urgent’ abdominal surgery today. They know for sure that she has a painful hernia that needs to be repaired, but they suspect there may be more serious things going on as well. She will be hospitalized for at least a day or two following the surgery. She already has very serious nerve damage to her abdominal wall, so another surgery adds to the risk for complications following the procedure. Prayers appreciated! --Jon Harmsen"
