Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:18 AM
Chumbley
June Update
June Update - 2008
It really seems hard to believe, but we flew from Prague to Warsaw to Chicago to Dallas on June 22, 2007. One year ago we began a new chapter in the life of our family. We returned to the states so that Payton could begin 9 months of chemotherapy, medications, transfusions and surgeries. I went back and read several of our posts and emails as we prepared to return to Texas. It all seems so unreal, countless calls to family, physicians and friends and I remember very little of it. It was like we were living in a haze, a state of disbelief. How could this happen to us? This only happens to other families……………..
“The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him." ~Exodus 15:2
God’s faithfulness and provision has been an unbelievable blessing. These words will never do it justice. His people have wrapped their arms around our family and cried with us when we were in the valley and rejoiced with us when we were on the mountaintops. I have had the opportunity this past year to stay home and help with Payton’s care full time. Our family members have spent many nights at Payton’s bedside as he slept during his treatments. Our financial needs have been met at every turn, both personal and medical. Our insurance company waived our deductible and even took a collection in their office to help with expenses. Enough money was donated to our medical account to cover all our expenses up to December of 2007. We had to fill out some financial paperwork to get on a payment plan with Cook Children’s Hospital for our remaining balance. We received a letter from Cook’s the other day letting us know that we will owe $0 for 2008. They have removed all medical bills from January and any expenses incurred during 2008. We were granted the use of a vehicle for our family for the first several months back in the states. I took X amount of cash to a dealership to purchase a 12 passenger van. The dealership sold us the van for the exact amount I had in my pocket. Payton’s first round of tests during treatment showed a near elimination of the tumor on his rib. The surgery to remove his ribs was a great success. Landry had some issues with the shape and development of her head. Cranial Technologies has fitted her with a band that will help adjust these issues. They waived the fee for the band and the second band as well. It goes on and on. Do you feel the goose-bumps? We sure do. I wrote an entry last year about believing in miracles. The very fingerprints of God glow on every aspect of our last 12 months. God is Good.
But as for me , it is good to be near God.
I have made the sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds. ~Psalms 73:28
We continue to pack bags and decide the importance of each item in the packing process. We do have the luxury of taking 16 suitcases, but could always find 16 more suitcases worth of stuff to take. We now have 7 suitcases completely packed and a table in the living room piled with stuff that will also need to be packed. It’s hard to imagine but August 17th will be here before you know it. All we know in regard to our visas, is that all the paperwork is in Prague and could be returned any day now or it could take months. We have no idea.
Prayer Requests:
· Visas will arrive in a timely manner.
· Payton will have surgery on July 2nd to have his port removed. This is a minor procedure, but a surgery nonetheless.
· Payton will have his 6 month scans (a little early) on August 1st. We wanted to go ahead and do them here even though it really is a month early. Pray for continued clear scans and no side effects from chemo and testing procedures.
· Packing will go smoothly and efficiently.
· Our financial support will be met. The value of the dollar has dropped 30% in the Czech Republic and our support has not kept up with that change.
Praises:
· The list of blessings over the last year is an incredible testimony to God’s love and faithfulness to those who do not deserve it.
· We have seen dramatic improvements in Landry’s head shape and look forward to no more helmet/band.
· We have an incredible network of prayer warriors around the world.
Our new website for family pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/chumnsons