HEADING HOME

Hello family and dear friends,

We wanted to take a moment to share an update and, most importantly, to thank you.

Over the past four months in Phoenix, we have experienced a season that has stretched us in ways we did not fully anticipate. The treatments proved to be more difficult than expected, bringing a mix of tolerable days and hard days, along with several setbacks from infections that slowed progress for about four weeks in total. It has truly been a journey.

During this time, there were also many weeks when Ed needed to return to Oklahoma to serve the congregation and care for family needs. In those moments especially, we were deeply grateful for those of you who stepped in so willingly to be present, to help, and to support RaeAnn. That outpouring of love has not been forgotten and never will be.

Through it all, we have clearly seen God’s hand. He has provided strength hour by hour, comfort and strength in difficult moments, and what we can only describe as remarkable healing. We are thankful to share that RaeAnn has even set records at the treatment center in her progress toward no evidence of disease. While we are still waiting on a few final test results, everything so far has been very encouraging.  A thoughtful transition plan is in place for continued monitoring and support, which gives us confidence as we move into this next phase.

We have begun the journey home and are in Tucumcari, NM tonight. Tomorrow, we meet our first grandchild, Charlotte Rae... and see our kids too!

We truly don’t have words that feel sufficient to express our gratitude. Your prayers, messages, calls, cards, and generosity have meant more to us than we can fully express. God heard your prayers on our behalf and He provided perfectly what we needed at the moments we needed it.

Thank you for walking this road with us.

With love and deep appreciation,

Ed & RaeAnn

GREAT NEWS

UPDATE - APRIL 18TH

RaeAnn met with her lead oncologist this week and he confirmed a continued decline in her cancer tumor markers, with a couple of them even coming into “normal” range. She is on schedule to conclude the treatments in Phoenix on this coming Wednesday, April 22. The Dowd’s will road-trip home, something RaeAnn has been looking forward to for a long time now, next Thursday and Friday. With God’s blessings, she’ll be back to church in Oklahoma next Sabbath, April 25. Thank you all very much for your prayers to God on RaeAnn’s behalf.

Update April 9

Wow, we have hit the 30K mark because you all have been so thoughtful and generous. THANK YOU! We began this effort about 3 months ago and we persist because RaeAnn continues to fight - some days have good news and some not so much. RaeAnn's view of the last 3 months is likely very different than ours so please continue to pray and share as RaeAnn continues to pray and fight.

Update - Feb. 6th

Yesterday, RaeAnn received very encouraging news regarding her cancer treatment. In our meeting with her lead doctor, we reviewed the data her medical team has been tracking over the past six weeks, which shows remarkable positive movement, including one test indicating a 21.5-fold reduction in certain markers. It was deeply encouraging to see what is actually taking place inside her body and to recognize God’s healing at work. We are truly thankful to our great Healing God for His blessings and care in RaeAnn’s life.

The doctor also spoke of a possible 12–14 week window, which was especially positive, as it is the first time we have heard the potential of being here less than 14 weeks. We have been praying for God to show us a way home before the end of March and continue to trust His perfect timing. RaeAnn is also feeling noticeably better, with reduced nausea and weakness.

Thank you for your continued love, concern, support, texts, emails, and prayers on her behalf; they are deeply appreciated.

Update - Jan. 30th (from Merrie Elliott)

Over the past week and a half, I’ve been with my daughter RaeAnn. What a joy to spend that precious time helping her.

Her treatments currently last around 4 hours. She continues to struggle with fatigue, nausea, and shakiness. RaeAnn faces each day with courage, even when her body is exhausted. The treatments are taking a toll, but they are also part of her path forward, and we all remain hopeful as she continues this fight.

This journey has brought emotional, physical, and financial challenges, and any support—whether through donations, sharing this page, or keeping RaeAnn in your thoughts and prayers - helps lift some of that weight so she can focus on healing. We are deeply grateful for the love and kindness surrounding her!

Update - Jan. 17th

RaeAnn is concluding her third week of treatment, and we continue to be grateful to God for His protection, healing, strength, and encouragement. These have been difficult days for her, and we deeply appreciate your continued prayers to God and support. Thank you to those who have sent cards or texts; they mean a great deal to us, even when we are not able to respond promptly.

Psalm 139:14 has been continually on my mind this past month. I have come to a deeper appreciation for the human body that our Creator God has fashioned. The visible and invisible systems, genetics, the highly complex immune system, and so many other facets of the body continue to amaze me. RaeAnn and I hold deep respect for our medical staff and their extraordinary understanding of the human body—remarkable, yet still limited when compared to the complete design known by God. The science, technique, and targeted precision are impressive. Still, we continue to look to God as our full and ultimate Healer. “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”

Update - Jan. 13th

Week 3 of Treatment

I’ve now begun my third week of treatment, and I wanted to share a quick update with everyone who has been praying of me and supporting this journey.

Last week was a difficult one. I experienced a lot of fatigue and nausea, which made even simple daily tasks more challenging than usual. There were moments when I had to slow down more than I wanted to, listen to my body, and focus on getting through one day at a time.

Despite the challenges, I’m continuing to push forward and stay committed to treatment. Your continued prayers, donations, and encouragement truly mean more than I can express—they’ve been a huge source of strength.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing with me. I’ll continue to share updates as I move forward.

Update - Jan. 6th

RaeAnn is in week two of her daily treatments. She remains positive and very appreciative for everyone's love, support, and prayers. Your generosity is overwhelming and we're very thankful for your contributions toward her care.

Since 2019, RaeAnn Dowd has been grateful for God’s healing and strength following her diagnosis with stage-4 breast cancer. Many know the remarkable ways God has upheld her. Recently, the side-effects of treatment led them to reassess her care. RaeAnn entered a new facility for personalized, integrative oncology on Monday, December 22nd in Phoenix, AZ. This program requires onsite five-days-a-week care and procedures, with an initial plan for 15 weeks of treatment. That's a bit of a surprise—it’s a long time to be under almost daily medical care, and a long time away from home and local congregations. Family members will be traveling to be with RaeAnn, but it still is a very long time in many ways.

The Dowd family requests your prayers that God continues to heal and strengthen RaeAnn. Ed, RaeAnn’s husband, has a goal to be with RaeAnn in Phoenix as much as possible, while also staying present and available to the congregation members he pastors. He is very grateful for your love, care, and concern. There have already been recent, positive indicators of God’s generous goodness—an earlier opening at the residential facility so RaeAnn could begin treatment sooner, and nearby thoughtful and helpful friends offering transportation or temporary housing. The Dowds are very grateful.

So, can we all help out? Let’s pray that the medical protocols are effective and the treatment duration is shorter, and offer encouragement with gestures, cards, or messages. Their medical costs are adding up with each day, and the extended and costly nature of the extensive care will need to be addressed soon. All insurance options are being investigated, but most of the costs are expected to be out-of-pocket with required weekly payments. If you would like to contribute toward the medical and extended care costs, your generosity would be greatly appreciated.