Cancer Treatments for Lance Rowe
Donation protected
Dear Friends,
(Update 11/16/2019
Thanks for all those who donated, shared and prayed. We appreciate it! If you'd still like to contribute to Lance's journey please look to http://crosscountry4jesus.com
Blessings to you all!)
With permission from Lance and Michelle we have decided to start this fundraiser. After looking at his options Lance would like to peruse cancer treatments in Mexico. It is very costly and the VA insurance wont cover it. As you know they would never ask for help, and it was not an easy decision to let us do this for them... We also made sure that if we cant raise enough for the treatment, we will be able to refund to all those that donated.
We love Lance, Michelle and their family dearly! We met them in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, our story is amazing, something that only God could set up! As Lance likes to say, it wasn't a coincidence we met them - it was a Godincidence!! And because of that we have had the privilege to minister by their side over the years - as many of you have. They have welcomed our family into their home (or camper), wherever they were staying over the past 13 years. We have watched each others children grow into young adults. And when given this chance for us to help we are jumping right in!!
There is a story in the Bible where a man was paralyzed and sought healing from Jesus. His friends wanted to help him so badly that they climbed onto a roof, cut a hole and lowered the man in. What great friends, and what faith they had! My hope is that we can all come together to be those friends, giving a helping hand and have the faith that healing will come - whether by treatments or by the hand of God.
I am going to include the latest update Lance shared. We are not giving up hope that God will heal him. We ask for prayers above all else - for healing, wisdom and direction. We are so thankful for everyone that is willing to pray or give!
#FriendsOfLanceRowe
Update from Lance October 8, 2019
It's been a while since I have updated my friends as to my health situation, so I will take the time to do so now.
I've run the race, and fought a good fight. I'm still fighting and contending for souls and the Church, and our country, but not to the degree that I used to or that I want to, because of the limitations that have been imposed on my body by this cancer. I'm not at the point where I can or where I choose to complete that opening statement with "I've finished the course", because I really have no idea whether that's the case or not. I know this life is a vapor,that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away, and I must always say "If the Lord Wills, I will live and go into such and such a place to win more souls tomorrow." That's Biblical.
Today I went to visit the surgeon to discuss my options per the most recent MRI. She said the tumor has shrunk considerably since the radiation. It was once 12 cm x 8.9 cm. After the radiation, it was 4.7 cm X 3.7cm. Praise the Lord! That is significantly smaller - Maybe like from a softball to a golf-ball in size. But the surgery to remove it would be radical. It would be MAJOR- without going into details, they'd pretty much take everything PLUS the tumor - they would have to do plastic surgery reconstruction, and it would take me MONTHS of recovery, and quality of life would be not so great.
I told them I need some time to pray about this. I am not really that concerned about quantity of life. Michelle's job is difficult enough right now as a caretaker. Just thinking about what was described to me, the rest of her life spent with me would be a bigger burden than it is now. I'm just being real. I have no doubt she would continue to care for me, but I'm not interested in having her go through all that. I know. I know. I am aware of all the comforting words and the things people could say right now, but the fact is, I don't want her to have to go through any more for me than she has to just so I could live a couple more years maybe.
I have been looking into alternative treatments, that aren't as invasive, and are said to be effective, but I am not sure the VA will cover any of that. There is a place in Mexico I have been communicating with and the doctor I spoke with said that his intake manager would look into the VA angle. He seemed very informative and knowledgeable and patiently answered all of our questions. But outside of the VA covering me financially, or the Lord's intervention, or a visit from the Prize Patrol, everything is out of my reach.
I have been taking a LOT of supplements. I saw a medical page that described an unconventional chemo treatment that had great success for people who have the same affliction. I talked to one of my chemotherapy doctors about it, and she said that the report is from Japan and that procedure is not allowed in the US. Crazy.
So on the fourteenth I will visit my chemotherapy doctor, in Huntsville, and see if he has any more that he thinks would work. And that is where I am.
I know I feel better than I have in a long time. I'm not absolutely confined to my bed any more. And I am clinging to that hem of my Lord's garment. I realize this might trigger some of my friends to encourage me to have more faith. I honestly don't know how I can have more. You can tell me Bible verses to stand on, but I am standing on them. You can tell me that my confession's not right, but My confession is and always has been Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Healer, my Rock, and my Fortress. He paid the price for my sins, and my healing on the cross. I believe the atonement covers all of that. He has always been my faithful Provider, my strong Tower, and my Friend. Since I bowed my Knee to the Creator of the Universe, I have known a good good Father. Before Him, I had never known the Care and the Goodness and the Comfort that He alone can provide.
He is my All in All. I went to the doorway of death before I sought man's help, and that was really my wife who got me that help. All I know is my life is in His Hands. And sometimes well meaning brothers and sisters can be Job's comforters more than real balm to the soul. I am not saying don't give me counsel. I am just asking you if you do, please know that you know what you are talking about, as a life that has gone through the fire, not as a philosopher parroting words you have heard. I covet your prayers. I need wisdom on what to do. I am at rest in this situation. I know my Redeemer lives.
The tough part is knowing whether it's time to say I've finished my course, or if that finish line is still a good while off. I really can with certainty echo Paul's words:
Act 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
It's the wisdom to know how to proceed. That's what I so desperately wish for. I appreciate your prayers. I love all of y'all.
Psa 103:1 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
These are my life verses. My go-to verses for the past 35 years. And knowing these allow me a place of rest that is beyond words.
May the Lord Bless you. May the Lord Keep you. May He cause His Face to shine upon you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
(Update 11/16/2019
Thanks for all those who donated, shared and prayed. We appreciate it! If you'd still like to contribute to Lance's journey please look to http://crosscountry4jesus.com
Blessings to you all!)
With permission from Lance and Michelle we have decided to start this fundraiser. After looking at his options Lance would like to peruse cancer treatments in Mexico. It is very costly and the VA insurance wont cover it. As you know they would never ask for help, and it was not an easy decision to let us do this for them... We also made sure that if we cant raise enough for the treatment, we will be able to refund to all those that donated.
We love Lance, Michelle and their family dearly! We met them in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, our story is amazing, something that only God could set up! As Lance likes to say, it wasn't a coincidence we met them - it was a Godincidence!! And because of that we have had the privilege to minister by their side over the years - as many of you have. They have welcomed our family into their home (or camper), wherever they were staying over the past 13 years. We have watched each others children grow into young adults. And when given this chance for us to help we are jumping right in!!
There is a story in the Bible where a man was paralyzed and sought healing from Jesus. His friends wanted to help him so badly that they climbed onto a roof, cut a hole and lowered the man in. What great friends, and what faith they had! My hope is that we can all come together to be those friends, giving a helping hand and have the faith that healing will come - whether by treatments or by the hand of God.
I am going to include the latest update Lance shared. We are not giving up hope that God will heal him. We ask for prayers above all else - for healing, wisdom and direction. We are so thankful for everyone that is willing to pray or give!
#FriendsOfLanceRowe
Update from Lance October 8, 2019
It's been a while since I have updated my friends as to my health situation, so I will take the time to do so now.
I've run the race, and fought a good fight. I'm still fighting and contending for souls and the Church, and our country, but not to the degree that I used to or that I want to, because of the limitations that have been imposed on my body by this cancer. I'm not at the point where I can or where I choose to complete that opening statement with "I've finished the course", because I really have no idea whether that's the case or not. I know this life is a vapor,that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away, and I must always say "If the Lord Wills, I will live and go into such and such a place to win more souls tomorrow." That's Biblical.
Today I went to visit the surgeon to discuss my options per the most recent MRI. She said the tumor has shrunk considerably since the radiation. It was once 12 cm x 8.9 cm. After the radiation, it was 4.7 cm X 3.7cm. Praise the Lord! That is significantly smaller - Maybe like from a softball to a golf-ball in size. But the surgery to remove it would be radical. It would be MAJOR- without going into details, they'd pretty much take everything PLUS the tumor - they would have to do plastic surgery reconstruction, and it would take me MONTHS of recovery, and quality of life would be not so great.
I told them I need some time to pray about this. I am not really that concerned about quantity of life. Michelle's job is difficult enough right now as a caretaker. Just thinking about what was described to me, the rest of her life spent with me would be a bigger burden than it is now. I'm just being real. I have no doubt she would continue to care for me, but I'm not interested in having her go through all that. I know. I know. I am aware of all the comforting words and the things people could say right now, but the fact is, I don't want her to have to go through any more for me than she has to just so I could live a couple more years maybe.
I have been looking into alternative treatments, that aren't as invasive, and are said to be effective, but I am not sure the VA will cover any of that. There is a place in Mexico I have been communicating with and the doctor I spoke with said that his intake manager would look into the VA angle. He seemed very informative and knowledgeable and patiently answered all of our questions. But outside of the VA covering me financially, or the Lord's intervention, or a visit from the Prize Patrol, everything is out of my reach.
I have been taking a LOT of supplements. I saw a medical page that described an unconventional chemo treatment that had great success for people who have the same affliction. I talked to one of my chemotherapy doctors about it, and she said that the report is from Japan and that procedure is not allowed in the US. Crazy.
So on the fourteenth I will visit my chemotherapy doctor, in Huntsville, and see if he has any more that he thinks would work. And that is where I am.
I know I feel better than I have in a long time. I'm not absolutely confined to my bed any more. And I am clinging to that hem of my Lord's garment. I realize this might trigger some of my friends to encourage me to have more faith. I honestly don't know how I can have more. You can tell me Bible verses to stand on, but I am standing on them. You can tell me that my confession's not right, but My confession is and always has been Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Healer, my Rock, and my Fortress. He paid the price for my sins, and my healing on the cross. I believe the atonement covers all of that. He has always been my faithful Provider, my strong Tower, and my Friend. Since I bowed my Knee to the Creator of the Universe, I have known a good good Father. Before Him, I had never known the Care and the Goodness and the Comfort that He alone can provide.
He is my All in All. I went to the doorway of death before I sought man's help, and that was really my wife who got me that help. All I know is my life is in His Hands. And sometimes well meaning brothers and sisters can be Job's comforters more than real balm to the soul. I am not saying don't give me counsel. I am just asking you if you do, please know that you know what you are talking about, as a life that has gone through the fire, not as a philosopher parroting words you have heard. I covet your prayers. I need wisdom on what to do. I am at rest in this situation. I know my Redeemer lives.
The tough part is knowing whether it's time to say I've finished my course, or if that finish line is still a good while off. I really can with certainty echo Paul's words:
Act 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
It's the wisdom to know how to proceed. That's what I so desperately wish for. I appreciate your prayers. I love all of y'all.
Psa 103:1 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
These are my life verses. My go-to verses for the past 35 years. And knowing these allow me a place of rest that is beyond words.
May the Lord Bless you. May the Lord Keep you. May He cause His Face to shine upon you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Organizer
Kristy Woodwyk
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MI