From Peter:

The third (main) tumor marker went up, but they told us it probably would after the first round of chemo. Apparently breaking apart and killing tumors and cancer cells can release extra markers into the blood stream like a cloud of dust during demolition. Everyone here is confident.[...]

From Peter:

Gained weight, white blood count quadrupled to normal, tumor markers went down. God is fighting for us!![...]

Hey everyone!

Things have been going so very, very well. This is our longest break between chemo days, 9 days in a row off, and it's been great to see Peter regain strength and rest up. He's even been able to watch Esther for a few short periods of time while I do something in another room, or go for a walk by himself, and those little bits of normalcy have been so good for us! I even went to work for a few hours Tuesday after taking a few weeks off and it was SO GOOD for me.[...]

We are home!! Yay! Peter's white blood count is still seriously low (1.5, it should be at least 4) but it has stopped decreasing and he has been fever-free for 24 hours so home they sent us. He's feeling so much better and we are planning to lay low and rest so his body can build up its strength before he begins his next chemo cycle in 8 days. We have to be ridiculously cautious about exposing him to any potential infections, so we can't see many people right now, but we love you all! Specific prayer points are no infections, for his white blood count to increase to healthy levels, for the tumor markers in his blood to go down (that means chemo is working!), and for miraculously fast healing, with no cancer or tumors in his body! Also pray for my health and Esther's health to stay strong, and for us all to sleep better. Thank you everyone![...]

Hey all. Peter received his bleo treatment today, and by 7 pm was experiencing extreme chills, fatigue and had a fever of 100.7. Because his white blood counts were low we were sent to the ER and I'm so grateful we are here. He started vomiting, but thankfully we have it under control right now. I haven't heard for sure but I expect we will be admitted.[...]

Wrapping up day 15/21 in our first cycle right now; he just received his last dose of chemo until we start up again on the 24th. Please pray that we are protected from any infections as a family--Peter's white blood count and ANC were low today, so we need to continue to be vigilant in prayers and physical precautions. Also pray this dose is effective and his body receives it as medicine and it kills the cancer, but the rest of his body is even miraculously strengthened. Pray for the tumor markers in his blood to decrease to excellent levels--this will mean the chemo is effective and be a sign of answered prayer! We will have a blood test to check those within a few weeks.[...]

Thank you all for your continued prayers! God has strengthened Peter's body and we have continued to have some wonderful, restful, recuperating days. I want to tell you all the specific things but there are too many! We got friend time and date time and family time and I'm so very thankful.[...]

Oh friends, today was another great day, and after I write about that I’ve got a practical way you can help us out at the end of this update![...]

So guys, turns out when you don't have chemo your day goes so, so much better! 😉

Today was night and day different from yesterday. Peter actually made himself breakfast (he actually did it himself AND he ate! Both victories!), walked a few houses length up and down our street with me, was able to have more light in the house and handle us having normal paced conversations around him, he watched movies and had a short meeting with an intern today, took a shower all by himself, enjoyed Esther playing in the same room as him for a few hours, ate two and a half smoothies AND he ate a burger today! I WAS SHOCKED. His pain has been under control, we had no nausea problems, and he's been able to have music in the house. He still feels like his taste buds are muted and things taste so bland compared to before, but he is able to eat and drink today and we are so happy! He also slept through the night!![...]

Hey Everyone!

First off, I had this idea! I want to make a google map with the locations and names of people praying for Peter all over the world. Can you help me out? Will you please add your name and location? And then you can even submit it again with the names of friends who won't see this post but who have told you they are praying for us? I think the visual representation will be a powerful encouragement to us personally and to our community![...]