I believe in Miracles 9-13-8
9-13-08 Sat. after hurricane Ike hit Galveston–
We got some incredible news on Thursday. We got the results of Shana’s most recent CT Scan and the results indicate that the Shana’s Tumors have been reduced by 1/2 since Late May. This is a miracle that by all odds should not be happening. This type of cancer normally does not shrink and the best that can be hoped for is a type of remission where the tumor doesn’t grow much or at least not quickly. Our quiet, low key local Doctor, Dr. Xiong, is unbelieving and ecstatic. On Thursday when we learned the news, Shana was initially blaise about the news because she had not slept well the night before and was very tired. I think her reaction disappointed Dr. Xiong but later she (and our whole family) got really excited about this dramatic development. There is no question in my mind that everyone’s prayers and well wishes as well as the skill of our physicians is the cause of this very positive development. Thanks to each and every one of you who said a prayer or sent us your best wishes during the last 10 months. God has been very good to us during this time of difficulty.
When we returned from Baltimore in mid May (that was just over 3 months ago but it seems like 5 years!), I expected Shana to die within a few weeks. Her doctors had opened her up for her second surgery and the cancer had grown so much and become so intertwined wth her organs that they determined they could not operate and that she had only weeks to live. We returned to Arlington to spend her last days with her family. We then started chemotherapy with the Center for Cancer and Blood disorders in Fort Worth using Dr. Xiong, the director of research and medical director. We also started some home treatments with some folk remedies and tried to give Shana a reason to live. Mostly, we just prayed a lot and asked you to pray with us. It seems to have worked. Shana will continue chemotherapy and we are being reevaluated for more surgery if the tumor continues to shrink and Shana’s health continues to improve. If we can have another surgery and remove the bulk of her remaining tumor, our chances of long time survival soar and the odds may be in our favor for once. We can only ask you to continue praying for Shana and for her recovery. It is in God’s hands.
The CT result is particulary surprising in light of the fact that for several days before we went to the Doctor, Shana had an area of her abdomin that was swelling visibly and was sore. We really suspected that the Tumor had started growing again and that the news from the CT scan would not be good. It turned out that the swelling was just a problem with her intestines which had been worked around and moved around during one of her surgeries. It has since gone down to normal.
ON top of this good news, Chrissy flew into town on Thursday night to evacuate from her home ahead of hurricane Ike. She lives in Deer Park which is only about 1 mile from the ship channel in Houston and directly in the path of the eye of Ike. The eye of the hurricane passed over her house on Friday night and early Saturday morning. Chrissy’s husband Doug Bailey, is a police officer with Deer Park and had to stay in town to protect the citizens of Deer Park and surrounding cities. Some of the smaller cities evacuated even their police departments and Doug had a very long night last night. He spent a good part of the night rescuing citizens from an apartment complex that was blown over trapping a bunch of people. For some reason, that disaster has not yet made the news. He rescued and arrested a drunk that was leaving a “hurricane party” and ran into a police car placing up barracades for flooded streets. The guy would have drowned if not for Doug. He has a bunch of other police officers staying with him so they can be close to the station during this crises. His and Chrissy’s house had a neighbor’s tree fall on the electrical line so they have no electricity in a house that is boarded up without air conditioning with 100% humidity and temperatures in the 90’s. The refrigerator is not working. It is not fun and he is working 18 hour days. Be thankful that the police are there to help. Please offer up a prayer for our fellow Texans who have been and are in harm’s way.
Thank you for helping my wife with your prayers and well wishes, I will never forget you.
Jim
September 13th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
This latest news is incredible; miracles really do happen! The power of prayers is amazing and I will continue to pray for Mrs.Bearden’s strength and healing.
Sarah Owen
September 13th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
This is truly a miracle. I can’t think of another person or another family that is so deserving of this. The prayers will continue and we so hope that Shana will be able to have that surgery to remove the tumor.
It sounds like the miracles continue for your family. I am so glad to hear that Chrissy’s and Doug’s house was spared. Being without power is a real inconvenience and very uncomfortable, but is such a small glitch compared to what could have been. Again, prayers have been answered.
Love,
Ann
September 13th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Oh Shana & Jim:
I can’t tell how much it means to hear the good news about Shana. I pray so hard everyday and to know God is listening to our prayers is so wonderful. I will continue to pray…..the power of prayer is wonderful.
I have a son who is here from Houston to stay out of harm’s way in the storm.
Policemen are angels on earth. I have a son-in-law who is a Fort Worth policeman so I know how you feel. They are never rewarded for all the good they do to others!!!!
Stay happy and God’s blessings to you all.
Love,
Judy Chaney
September 14th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Jim & Shana
This is fantastic news! I haven’t nor will I stop praying for you! I have family in Pearland, Friendswood & The Woodlands in Texas. Then I have family in Lockport, Louisana by Houma where the levee broke. Please keep them in your prayers for us. I pray that they are all okay. How did Antoinette’s mom do in the last hurricane ? Talk to you soon.
Love Ya!
Michele & Patrick Flusche
September 14th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Hi Shana and Jim!
Such great news - God’s blessings are surely at work here.
So good to get your updates. I know you and your family must be
so happy for Shana. She is indeed one of the most courageous and positive people I know. Keep up the good work. We will keep up our prayers and thoughts for your recovery.
Hope you are enjoying your remodeling projects - we are waiting for you to post some pix of your endeavors!!
My thoughts go out to you family - Bless the law enforcement and recovery teams in south Texas - sounds like they were lucky to have not lost more lives than they did!!
Warm regards,
Elaine S. ( Maureen Brenner’s sister)
September 14th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
What wonderful, wonderful news! We certainly will continue to pray for Shana’s continued improvement and that she will soon be a candidate for surgery again, since that apparently is a step that will give her an even greater boost towards recovery. Shana has been an amazingly positive patient who has made her way through this all with her usual grace and wisdom. Your family’s positive spirits and determination to be there for Shana have been no small part of Shana’s improvement as well I am sure. You are a great supporting team, and I look forward to hearing of even greater strides! We will pray for Doug and his co-workers too. It does look like south Texas took a pretty hard hit.
Love, Susie
September 14th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
WOW! What great news. Words can’t express how happy I am to hear about the wonderful progress you have made. I do believe in miracles and you are living proof. God is wonderful and has been listening to all of our prayers. Our prayers will continue and we look forward to more good news in the future. Glad to hear your daughter’s home in Houston weathered the storm ok. God bless her husband and all the other policemen and workers that work so hard to help people in need. Continue to take care and live life to the fullest.
Love,
Maureen
September 16th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Sooo glad to see such good news! May you continue to improve and and the good news continue! Your a walking miracle.
Jo Ann
September 18th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Thanks be to God to you and the great news. I have been taking care of family from Houston Tx. who came Sunday just as we arrived from Lubbock Tx. after the Football game on Saturday. My twin sister Diane’s home is ok and her married sons are too. There power is back so they left yesterday. But so many are not so lucky. My 97 year old Mother is at Parkway Place and they had a generator that kept them safe. St. Rita continues to answer my prayers which have been said daily for you and your family. Abbracci Hugs in Italian Doris, Bob, Bryan and Justin
September 18th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Do you think that maybe Shana was pulling your leg so she could get all the remodeling done? Seriously, it is so wonderful to read your blog and know that our prayers have worked. I guess God decided Shana had more to do here and it just isn’t time yet. This is such a wonderful way to end my day.
Linda
September 19th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Hi, I found your blog on this new directory of WordPress Blogs at blackhatbootcamp.com/listofwordpressblogs. I dont know how your blog came up, must have been a typo, i duno. Anyways, I just clicked it and here I am. Your blog looks good. Have a nice day. James.
September 20th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Dear Shana & Jim,
What wonderful news! It is so nice to read about this miracle that God has performed. We know how happy all of you must be and you certainly deserve this long awaited answer to your prayers. We pray you will continue to receive great reports and that hopefully another surgery will be performed to help even further. We will keep up the prayers…they are truly powerful. We hope to see Shana at a future TALI event. Have a blessed rest of the weekend.
Warm regards,
Rob & Macklyn