Praising God

Thank you to all who supported Brenda and her family through the Famous Potato Half Marathon in May!!!! We raised a total of 500 dollars to send to Brenda and her family. Money continued to trickle in after the race and so we did not send them the check until the end of last month. They were truly grateful and were blessed to know that people beyond their circle were praying for them and supporting them.

"Thank you for thinking of us! Josh and I are humbled at so many wanting to help our family and many of those that do not know us but are committed to praying for us.  God is truly awesome and provides all our needs! Thanks Lindsey and Jonie!"  -Brenda

Brenda went through her stem cell transplant this past week. Her donor, "Mr. Match" was a German citizen and the cells arrived Wednesday night. Her children and parents got to watch the process of infusion late Wednesday night. From here on out it is a process of helping her body to embrace these new cells. Please be praying for them as they trust God to complete this process. Her journal updates can be found on her caring bridge website. 
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendavh/journal

Thank you everyone for being a blessing to Brenda and her family and for supporting Jonie and I as we ran our first half marathon. We are truly encouraged by all your support!

DONOR MATCH is FOUND!

This morning we found out I have 2- 100% donor matches. One is a 31 year old male and the other is a 30year old female who hasn't had any children.  #1 choice is the male and back up is the female.  I guess females acquire other antibodies after being pregnant/giving birth and they don't know if that plays into graft vs host disease or not so preferably go with male donors.  My case manager is finding out if he is within the states or not, that is all the information she can give me.  

This is bitter sweet news. I've shed some tears over this.  Now the really hard decision, to move forward towards the transplant in the next month or 2 or stay on the trial drug until my body decides otherwise.  Wish those neon signs would show up about now directing our next steps!  

Yesterday's devotional led me to Proverbs 19:21  You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail and that is my prayer.  God's will and purpose will be so strong there won't be any doubt between Josh, myself, the doctors, and others who are sharing their advice with us.  God make it so clear!

Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather, if here in the Midwest.  Just wanted to share our exciting news making us one step closer.  The 100%matches are an answer to prayer.  

Continue to pray for clarity.  Prayer for my donor, that his life will be touched if he doesn't know the Lord and even if he does, that this whole process continues to glorify God.  

Much Love, 

Brenda

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Starting Line - May 14, 2011

Idaho Famous Potato Half Marathon

Race Day - May 14, 2011

By the grace and strength of God we ran the race without stopping (even with injury and sickness). With a focused heart of prayer for Brenda and her family, and for other friends suffering from cancer God gave us the endurance to finish.

We are blessed by many of you who have given out of your generous hearts and are thankful that through your gifts we can give something to help this family in their time of need.

Please keep praying for a donor for Brenda and consider sharing this blog or BeTheMatch.org with your family and friends. As anyone whose registered with the national marrow registry could be her match!

Thank you and God Bless!

Starting Line - Idaho Famous Potato 

 

Half Marathon

We are running to help raise medical support for a woman named Brenda and her family. She is battling large cell anaplastic lymphoma. She is still looking for a donor. So we are also running to raise awareness about donating stem cells. You can follow the link on the right to find out more about becoming a match for someone suffering from cancer.
Brenda and her family will have to move out of state for the summer/fall for the stem cell transplant once she receives a donor. She, her husband and her children are all hoping to stay together for the summer. They have a lot of medical bills from the last few years and will continue to have more. Please consider sponsoring us in the Famous Potato Race in Boise, Idaho on May 14th to raise support.