i have undergone 14 of 28 initial radiation treatments, and have developed a radiation burn that is significant enough to temporarily delay further treatments. i have what could roughly be compared to a 2nd degree sunburn on my right shoulder, chest, back and armpit. i am also told that in order to get back on track with the treatments i need to rest and stay cool and dry. As you may imagine i would prefer a 3rd degree burn and be active rather than figure out how to rest every day. Sounds like perhaps i am still not quite humbled enough!
thanks again to every one who is blessing us with their prayers and donations. i am still working on developing a gauge of what has been received and what our total financial need will likely amount to, some of the delay is due to the uncertainty of treatment costs, and some is still my hesitancy to make what feels like an outrageous request. i hope that doesn't mean more humbling is in order.
til next time
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Monday, June 4, 2007
not much new but an update anyway
well, we are in the early stages of the radiation, and it's tolerable so far. fatigue and skin irritation are the only side effects, and my wife has been waiting for me to slow down for quite a while. the big concern at this point is the undefined mass in my lung. we'll be scheduling another ct scan soon and hopefully that will bring some bit of clarity.
a monster thank you to everyone who showed up for the fundraiser that was arranged by Don and Mattie McKinely, that was a huge gift and provision. There have been several other big contributers as well and I cannot express the enormity of my gratitude to you all. i will attempt to put together a gauge to keep track of our need and the amount raised and have that show up either on the blog or the love just is site.
until we meet again
isaac
a monster thank you to everyone who showed up for the fundraiser that was arranged by Don and Mattie McKinely, that was a huge gift and provision. There have been several other big contributers as well and I cannot express the enormity of my gratitude to you all. i will attempt to put together a gauge to keep track of our need and the amount raised and have that show up either on the blog or the love just is site.
until we meet again
isaac
Saturday, May 12, 2007
radiation at last
after many stupid hoops that medicaid and travis county has set before me, i am able to begin radiation treatment. it will be daily for 4 - 6 weeks, and apparently will only feel like a bad sunburn, but may also cause a short term loss of use of my right arm. i guess thats why God made my left one so incredibly strong as well.
it has been quite a battle dealing with the beuracracy, it is hard to believe that i would have had no problems in receiving help if i had just been a bum and never tried to achieve anything in life, but because i still own a home (hopefully not for long) i don't qualify for any kind of assistance. i am sure regretting having carried health insurance for 12 years and then cancelling it in frustration one month before my diagnosis. that probably was not a wise choice ...
it has been quite a battle dealing with the beuracracy, it is hard to believe that i would have had no problems in receiving help if i had just been a bum and never tried to achieve anything in life, but because i still own a home (hopefully not for long) i don't qualify for any kind of assistance. i am sure regretting having carried health insurance for 12 years and then cancelling it in frustration one month before my diagnosis. that probably was not a wise choice ...
Thursday, May 10, 2007
here is a copy of a message naomi (12 year old daughter) sent to her friends.
"my dad has cancer. we are going through some ruff patches likemoving to texas in a trailor, not knowing anyone or anthingthats gunna happen. its one of the scariest things knowing that my dad, the holder of this family, could die. i never expected something like this to happen. but we are a strong family and we can pull through. he is the most important thing in my life right now and im not gunna lose him. not here, not now."
Monday, May 7, 2007
life is a highway and i apparently want to ride it all night long
the Lehr family has moved!. here's the nice big old home ... ...
and the nice cozy new home!
There is nothing more intimate then moving six people, a dog, cat, 2 rats and a tarantula from the 2,100 square foot home on 1/4 acre into a 200 square foot home in a trailer park (complete with rusty weight lifting set in the neighbors site).
i have also learned some details that are new to us. my particular variety of cancer and its metastasis into my lymph system is considered a stage 4 cancer (out of 4 possible stages, 4 being the most serious). standard western medical treatment for all stage 4 cancer patients includes systemic treatment in addition to treatments specific to the area that the tumors presented themselves. my variety of cancer is extremely rare (probably 5 cases a year in which an MPNST metastasized into the lymph) and chemotherapy is the only established systemic treatment for MPNST. Sadly, Chemo has only shown a 15% success rate in reducing MPNST tumors, so we are pursuing the alternative treatment route. my diet has already completely changed (no coffee, beer, tobacco, red meat, processed food etc.) to primarily raw vegetables and nuts soaked in water for a day, as well as juicing (yech! beet juice must be some kind of dirty punishment for some unknown sin). I have lost 30 lbs (i wish i cared more about that!).
i am supposed to begin radiation treatment ASAP at this point, but that has been delayed due to coverage hassles. i just finished a major step in the right direction today, so hopefully i'll be able to start my daily dose of radiation to my right shoulder and armpit soon (if you know me well you know i am not kidding when i say i am kind of looking forward to that experience).
All things considered, i feel extremely fortunate to be living in this experience. I do believe that I am being processed and refined for a great purpose, and even larger than that, my family is being pressed down and shaken together in order that they may have a greater capacity to love and serve God and the people around them.
sorry updates have been few and far between, i hope to be able to provide more details more often for those who are interested.
a ginormous thank you to those who have made contributions to my family, we have been able to cover the living expenses for this month because of your generosity and i am honored, humbled and grateful to you for that.
love and gratitude
isaac
Sunday, April 29, 2007
love just is request for support
this is a copy of the letter that Brye McBee composed and distributed in order to address our growing financial needs. please respond however you may be led and pass the letter on (if you're led)
Dear ones,
I am writing to inform you all of some circumstances surrounding the Isaac Lehr family right now and to ask for your help.
As you may know, Isaac has recently undergone surgery to remove tumors in his lymph system that have revealed the presence of cancerous cells in his body. In short, Isaac and his family are beginning a battle with cancer. On January 9th Isaac had surgery to remove a growth on his shoulder and on March 21st had five cancerous tumors removed from under his armpit on the same side. A CT scan has revealed a “suspicious” object in his chest and because of the presence of cancer in his lymph nodes, there is a threat of more cancer showing up…As you probably know, Isaac is not a man to be threatened. According to the medical professionals, this is a very bad situation. According to Isaac, this is an opportunity for God to be known.
If you know Isaac at all, you can imagine how hard it is for him to be in a place of need. He is a strong man able to take care of his own…and right now, he is in great need. Isaac and Johnna have, at our request, humbly shared some of their needs with us. As a father myself, I can only start to imagine how hard this must be for them to have the humility it takes to ask others for help...
We know that in honor of the Lord, Isaac has made his wife and kids priority in his life. Isaac has always done everything a man could do to provide for his family. Not only with food and shelter, but also by his presence in their lives giving them assurance that he loves them and considers them his most precious. The Lehr’s have sown seeds into their kids, into their community, their churches, their friends, and their family. It is my firm belief that it is time for a harvest for that family.
Some of you may know us. We are Brye and Salem McBee of the Clan Brees. We have been friends with Isaac and Johnna for many years and have come to form a kinship with them that is nothing less than a divine work of God. We love them very deeply and are committed to standing with them. About three years ago, after our eldest son died, we formed a non-profit (tax deductible) organization in his name to assist families who are in need during illness or disability. We are honored to be able to coordinate assistance for the Lehr family and also to be a point of contact for you to keep up with their circumstances. Please keep our website marked so you can stay updated and/or make contributions to them as you feel moved to do so. Also, Isaac has started a blog (an internet journal) that you can use to stay updated on the happenings of their family. This can be accessed by going to our website and clicking on the Lehr family page.
Based on their current need we are looking for individuals, families, churches and businesses to financially assist them. There are two specific needs we have identified. One is the need to raise funds for his healthcare treatments. The other is to request of those who feel called to do so, to make a one year commitment to contributing to the Lehr family to help with their monthly expenses. Like I said before, I believe there is a harvest available to the Lehr family. If you feel you can or want to be involved in helping carry this burden with this family, please contact us and/or make your contributions via mail or our website (www.lovejustis.org). Your donations will be used to directly assist the Lehr family in paying for their immediate healthcare expenses and also providing gift cards and other resources that can be used for meals, groceries, etc.
We need to make sure this family we all love knows they will not walk through this alone. Our prayer is that as God heals Isaac, we (all of us lovers of the Lehr family) have the opportunity to be an example of how God’s people gather around when one of us is hurting. How a real community and family respond when one is in need. Please consider joining us in that stand and please also feel free to let us know if you have other resources that might be of assistance to them. God is covering this family. We ask you to financially contribute what you can and consider a monthly commitment. More importantly, we ask you to join us in prayer for the Lehr family. Prayer that the God who created Isaac’s body would work a healing miracle in that same body. That just as God has always done for Isaac in other areas of his life, He would place the very best counselors, advisors and resources in his life that he needs right now. And most, that the almighty God who loves Isaac more than all of us put together would have His way, and that He will be glorified in this.
Shalom,
Brye & Salem McBee
www.lovejustis.org
Love Just is, Inc.
1119 S Mission Rd.
Suite 324
Fallbrook, CA 92028
(760) 494-3584
PS – We have begun this with a very limited mailing list. Please forward this message to anyone you know who you think would like to assist the Lehr family and/or keep up on Isaac’s condition. There is also a place on our website where they can submit their email to be added to the mailing list.
Dear ones,
I am writing to inform you all of some circumstances surrounding the Isaac Lehr family right now and to ask for your help.
As you may know, Isaac has recently undergone surgery to remove tumors in his lymph system that have revealed the presence of cancerous cells in his body. In short, Isaac and his family are beginning a battle with cancer. On January 9th Isaac had surgery to remove a growth on his shoulder and on March 21st had five cancerous tumors removed from under his armpit on the same side. A CT scan has revealed a “suspicious” object in his chest and because of the presence of cancer in his lymph nodes, there is a threat of more cancer showing up…As you probably know, Isaac is not a man to be threatened. According to the medical professionals, this is a very bad situation. According to Isaac, this is an opportunity for God to be known.
If you know Isaac at all, you can imagine how hard it is for him to be in a place of need. He is a strong man able to take care of his own…and right now, he is in great need. Isaac and Johnna have, at our request, humbly shared some of their needs with us. As a father myself, I can only start to imagine how hard this must be for them to have the humility it takes to ask others for help...
We know that in honor of the Lord, Isaac has made his wife and kids priority in his life. Isaac has always done everything a man could do to provide for his family. Not only with food and shelter, but also by his presence in their lives giving them assurance that he loves them and considers them his most precious. The Lehr’s have sown seeds into their kids, into their community, their churches, their friends, and their family. It is my firm belief that it is time for a harvest for that family.
Some of you may know us. We are Brye and Salem McBee of the Clan Brees. We have been friends with Isaac and Johnna for many years and have come to form a kinship with them that is nothing less than a divine work of God. We love them very deeply and are committed to standing with them. About three years ago, after our eldest son died, we formed a non-profit (tax deductible) organization in his name to assist families who are in need during illness or disability. We are honored to be able to coordinate assistance for the Lehr family and also to be a point of contact for you to keep up with their circumstances. Please keep our website marked so you can stay updated and/or make contributions to them as you feel moved to do so. Also, Isaac has started a blog (an internet journal) that you can use to stay updated on the happenings of their family. This can be accessed by going to our website and clicking on the Lehr family page.
Based on their current need we are looking for individuals, families, churches and businesses to financially assist them. There are two specific needs we have identified. One is the need to raise funds for his healthcare treatments. The other is to request of those who feel called to do so, to make a one year commitment to contributing to the Lehr family to help with their monthly expenses. Like I said before, I believe there is a harvest available to the Lehr family. If you feel you can or want to be involved in helping carry this burden with this family, please contact us and/or make your contributions via mail or our website (www.lovejustis.org). Your donations will be used to directly assist the Lehr family in paying for their immediate healthcare expenses and also providing gift cards and other resources that can be used for meals, groceries, etc.
We need to make sure this family we all love knows they will not walk through this alone. Our prayer is that as God heals Isaac, we (all of us lovers of the Lehr family) have the opportunity to be an example of how God’s people gather around when one of us is hurting. How a real community and family respond when one is in need. Please consider joining us in that stand and please also feel free to let us know if you have other resources that might be of assistance to them. God is covering this family. We ask you to financially contribute what you can and consider a monthly commitment. More importantly, we ask you to join us in prayer for the Lehr family. Prayer that the God who created Isaac’s body would work a healing miracle in that same body. That just as God has always done for Isaac in other areas of his life, He would place the very best counselors, advisors and resources in his life that he needs right now. And most, that the almighty God who loves Isaac more than all of us put together would have His way, and that He will be glorified in this.
Shalom,
Brye & Salem McBee
www.lovejustis.org
Love Just is, Inc.
1119 S Mission Rd.
Suite 324
Fallbrook, CA 92028
(760) 494-3584
PS – We have begun this with a very limited mailing list. Please forward this message to anyone you know who you think would like to assist the Lehr family and/or keep up on Isaac’s condition. There is also a place on our website where they can submit their email to be added to the mailing list.
crappy coverage
news thats new to you (maybe)
RAWRRR!!! the radiation treatments have recently become an UNCOVERED treatment. we are scrambling to find another route for help in covering those costs (ie crappy medicaid) but so far have gotten nowhere. my oncologist wanted me to be able to start that treatment in the next week or two, but the costs are way out of control. we are exploring other creative ideas that may help us move in the right direction soon, but for now ... RAWRRR!
we have been deeply deeply moved by the generosity of several dear friends who are making this season bearable, including several cash donations for which we cannot express enough gratitude. thank you.
another recent development for us has been the shock and disbelief has finally started to fade and we are experiencing the deeper emotional effects. Since we are already kind of crazy people we have enjoyed the ride and have actually been able to embrace one another more deeply as a family.
that's all for now,
love and gratitude
isaac
RAWRRR!!! the radiation treatments have recently become an UNCOVERED treatment. we are scrambling to find another route for help in covering those costs (ie crappy medicaid) but so far have gotten nowhere. my oncologist wanted me to be able to start that treatment in the next week or two, but the costs are way out of control. we are exploring other creative ideas that may help us move in the right direction soon, but for now ... RAWRRR!
we have been deeply deeply moved by the generosity of several dear friends who are making this season bearable, including several cash donations for which we cannot express enough gratitude. thank you.
another recent development for us has been the shock and disbelief has finally started to fade and we are experiencing the deeper emotional effects. Since we are already kind of crazy people we have enjoyed the ride and have actually been able to embrace one another more deeply as a family.
that's all for now,
love and gratitude
isaac
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