Update…Jennifer sent the following update for me to ads on, “Mom is home, doing well. Her speech and strength are improving. She is still depending on the feeding tube but continues to work on swallowing and was able to take some sips of lukewarm coffee recently which was a big win as she loves her morning coffee. She will do scans in March to determine whether they got it all. Dad is in rehab working hard. He did start back on the next cycle of his chemo this week. They are hopeful they can keep him in remission with continuous treatments and are considering the possibility of using donor cells again. Mom has been able to visit him for short visits at a time which has been wonderful - we realized it has been since October 27 that they have been able to hug each other. We are hoping to bring Dad home in the next week or so but he will still need 24 hour care/supervision as he is still weak.

Jennifer also wanted to pass on the following…Randy, Iris, John, and Jenni really appreciate all of the love and support everyone has shown over these past few months. It has been truly a difficult time but we are taking it day by day feeling the love from all of our friends and family. Praying to finally be home together soon. We sincerely thank everyone who has supported us through donations, prayers, cards or letters, kind gestures and all the other ways you wonderful people have shown our family that you love and care for us.”

Update: First Thank you to all who have donated, prayed, sent cards , etc. Your love is truly appreciated. Unfortunately, as Iris finished her Radiation treatments her wonderful husband Randy was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Leukemia. He is receiving treatment and will be moved to rehab in the future but has to get stronger first. When I spoke with their daughter Jennifer yesterday she told me that her Mom had also been admitted back into the hospital with fever and low BP. Iris and Randy are now on the same floor and were hoping for a visit later in the day. This loving couple is having a really hard time of it currently but their faith is strong, their love is true and their gratitude is genuine. Please pray for them and help as you can.

Iris Updated: This past month has been incredibly difficult for Iris and Randy. Complications with the fit of the feeding tube have resulted in several ER visits and hospitalizations. She is currently in the hospital in Chapel Hill awaiting surgery for her 4th feeding tube (Yes, 4th). She and Randy are optimistic and want to thank everyone for the support, encouragement and love they have been receiving. Please realize there are numerous extra expenses involved so please continue to spread the word and donate what you can.

Sometimes incredibly good people have incredibly bad things happen to them. I have no idea why, but I know Iris Senzig is incredibly good and she has cancer. She is one of the most kind, generous, and loving people around, and she has Oral Squamous Cell Cancer, which means it started in her mouth, creating lesions on her tongue and throat. They operated, and in addition to removing tissue, they removed more than 50 lymph nodes. Some had cancer in them, and some of those had burst. Iris is now taking chemo and radiation. This one-two punch to her system has resulted in the need for a feeding tube and home health daily, as well as special food supplements and other medical supplies. It’s not just a diagnosis of cancer that weighs on the patient and family but all the side effects. Did I tell you this is the second time Iris has had cancer, and her husband Randy is still medically fragile from his cancer and subsequent transplant? These wonderful people need our help and support. All contributions will go for medically necessary expenses insurance doesn’t cover and will help make life more bearable as Iris heals and recuperates. If you are a friend, former student, church member, or a stranger who is able to help, please do. Time is of the essence! The Senzig, Johnson, Arvin, Longueira, and Denny family thanks you.