Chemo and Radiation...here we go!

I apologize for the generic update, but we are just home to Ohio from Iowa and we so much to do before tomorrow! We wrote the following update for Asbury Community Chapel in Dubuque, as they spent some time praying for us today. It pretty much says it all. I also apologize for not updating sooner, but we found out about the chemo right before Christmas and we had a rough few days dealing with it. Thank you all for continuing to pray for us.

Dear ACC Family,

Happy New Year from the Hubbards! We are thankful for a wonderful break that we spent visiting Angie’s family in Iowa. Now it is back to reality. For us, 2010 will deliver a unique set of circumstances and challenges to our lives. During this time, we ask for your prayer.

Tomorrow, January 4, Angie will be starting her radiation as planned, and also chemotherapy to treat her tongue cancer. We initially thought that she would possibly receive “mild” chemotherapy, which was indicated by one of the doctors. But the oncologist who will administer the chemotherapy flat out told us it will be very tough treatment, and combined with the radiation, Angie will have a rough time for several weeks. A few people have asked us specifically “I thought they got all the cancer in surgery?” and yes, we thought that too. Things have changed dramatically; and for various reasons, now the doctors are certain there is still cancer left in the tongue or a “positive margin” as they say. All of the doctors that have reviewed Angie’s case agree with this assessment. Because of this and the aggressive nature of this type of cancer, we need both the chemo and radiation to kill off what was left behind.

So, tomorrow is a big day for Angie as both treatments will be administered. Radiation will continue every day for six weeks, and chemo will be once every three weeks. It will be administered through an IV infusion. At this point it is three doses with the possibility of a fourth dose. The side effects are heavy and will build up over time.

We are very thankful that we have enjoyed our Christmas with family but at the same time feel a heavy burden right now and appreciate your prayers. We are so thankful to have faithful prayer partners as we take on this trial. God is so faithful; we are continually thankful to Him and have experienced many blessings since Angie was first diagnosed.

A few specific prayer requests…

Pray for

1. Brady as he will have several different care takers over the next few weeks.
2. Our attitudes – That Angie would be upbeat and positive. For Jason that he would be patient and have a servant’s heart during this time.
3. For those who are traveling to help us – including Linda Johnson, Nancy and Hannah Lange, Jason’s mom Alice, and Angie’s mom Joanne. We are so thankful to have six straight weeks of help in our home.
4. That the side effects will be manageable. Angie would especially like to keep her hair. She is not shy to ask people to pray that the hair loss will be minimal!
5. That the cancer will be completely gone at the end of the treatments.
6. That we will seek the Lord throughout the treatment and pray that He will be glorified through us.
7. That our hearts will be open to what He is teaching us through this trial.

We will keep our family blog updated with Angie’s treatment and progress.

Thank you again for standing along side us in prayer!

Love,

Angie, Jason, and Brady