Prayer Request

Today I have been reading about a precious little girl named Hannah Grace Harrison. I do not know this child or her family, but from reading their story they are my brothers and sisters in Christ, so I felt like I should share their desperate need for our prayers.
Hannah Grace has just turned 3 years old. Last May she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The tumor was removed and she underwent several rounds of chemotherapy. I am not sure about all the details between then and now, but she is currently in Children's Hospital battling with more problems. The doctors fear her bowels have died and there is no surgery to repair this.
My heart is broken for this family and I just wanted to do what I could to help...and that is pray! John and I have a new-found assurance that there is MIGHTY POWER in PRAYER!!! Please join with us and lift this precious, precious child up to God!

You can read more about Hannah Grace at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannahgraceharrison

John Edward W. Colvin

Well I have finally gotten back around to my blog! To start with, I know most of you know, but we got wonderful news from the Oncologist. He said everything looked great and we could do one of several options. He DID NOT say John needed chemotherapy or that he HAD to have another surgery, so I took that as being the BEST news we could have gotten. The 3 options are: observation every 6 wks, 2 rounds of chemo, or the lymphnode disection surgery. The treatments and/or the surgery are both pre-cautionary. They did more bloodwork while we were there, and we should be getting those results today. If the one other tumor marker has come down to normal, we will know more of what to decide. Right now we are just thanking God for his mercy and grace!!! And the MANY answered prayers!

Now for the husband questions...I got tagged several days ago and haven't had the time to sit down and answer the questions. I have read all about all of your husbands and I think it's GREAT to brag about them sometimes! In fact, I should do that a whole bunch more often!!! So here we go...
1. What is his name? John Edward Wollenzien Colvin
2. Who eats more? I guess he does, but I sure do eat A LOT myself!
3. Who said, "I love you" first? He did.
4. Who is taller? John
5. Who is more sensitive? That would be ME! Although, lately he has gotten much more so.
6. Who does the laundry? I do, but he helps me out a whole bunch!
7. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you are looking from the foot of the bed, I do.
8. Who pays the bills? John makes the money, I write the checks. {Christy, I'm still old school like Shonna!}
9. Who cooks more? ME most definitely!
10.Who is more stubborn? I would have to say we are both equally stubborn.
11.Who is the first to admit they are wrong? We both do.
12.Who has more siblings? I do. 2 sisters, 1 brother. John-- 1 sister.
13.Who wears the pants in the relationship? John
14.What do you like to do together? We like doing most anything together. We both like to be home, so we really enjoy hanging out at the house with each other playing with our little entertainer John Luke. We also like to ride the Ranger around the pastures, and be outside when the weather is nice. We like to go out to eat, but that is kinda rare. It's really hard to enjoy a nice meal with a 2 yr. old crawling all over you and begging to get down the entire time you're there!!! But we have made a promise over the last few wks. that we are starting a new tradition---date nights once a month and date weekends once every 3 months! I'm really excited about this one! In fact, we are planning our first get-away!
15.Who eats more sweets? Well, John definitely used to, but now that he is eating healthier, neither of us eat much anymore.
16.Guilty pleasures? John---hunting. Me--blogging. We're kinda boring!
17.How did you meet? We had mutual friends. The funny thing is we had never actually run into one another at any of these mutual gatherings. One day, Shonna and Jamey told me they had a really good guy for me to meet. I was hesitant at first, but now I sure am glad we met!!! Thanks Shonna and Jamey!
18.Who asked whom out first? John asked me!
19.Who kissed who first? He kissed me! {Finally!} {My mother was so proud it took him so long! She said that was a sure sign he WAS a good guy!}
20.Who proposed? He asked me on July 15, 2005 at Olive Garden in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The same place we went on our first "out to eat" date. He was acting so crazy that night, but I thought he was just in a really good mood. While we were eating, I said I had a headache. He told me he had the best headache medicine there was out in the truck {the Ring}. When we got out to the truck to leave, he opened my door for me and I got in. Then he shut the door and opened it back up really fast. When I turned around he said he had forgotten to ask me something. Then he got on one knee and all I remember is him saying "Will you marry me?" and opening this little box. I could NOT believe my eyes. The little box had a light that came on when you opened the lid and it was dark outside so the light was shining on the diamond and it was sparkling away! The rest is history!
21.His best features and qualities? Hard working, the BEST daddy, dedicated to his family, Christian man that is growing and learning more everyday!, loves me unconditionally and shows it often, helps me at home with EVERYTHING, listens well, and an extra bonus--he's VERY handsome!!
22.Tag you're it. Who do you tag? I can't remember who has done it already but I don't think I've read one for: Rebecca Taylor, Mendy, DeAnne, Adrienne, Lyndsay, and anyone else that wants to!

Wedding Day---April 22, 2006!


Beach Trip, 2008.

Christmas 2008.

Sweet, Sweet Baby

Another Answered Prayer

We went back to the doctor yesterday to find out the results from the latest bloodwork and got great news! We were praying specifically that the tumor markers would go back to normal and 2 out of 3 have! The third one is down drastically and Dr. Nesbitt said it may continue to drop. We were so thrilled to hear the news! God is SO GOOD!!!We are still scheduled to meet with the oncologist Friday. He will look at all of John's reports and talk to us about the next step. He may suggest some chemotherapy or surgery or maybe even just monthly observation. We are willing to do whatever is best! We know without a doubt God is in control of this and He will guide us in the right direction.
John is healing from the surgeries a little more everyday. Our sweet little man is back home with us and we are sooooo glad! He still has a runny nose, but I don't think he is contagious and John said he didn't care. He had been gone long enough! We thank Nan and Paw and Mamy and Mamy K for ALL their help!! We know he was in good hands and having a ball!
Right now, John and John Luke are running around like hoodlums playing hide and seek! It sounds like a bunch of wild indians are in the house with me but it is music to my ears!!!


What a beautiful sight!!!

Thankful!

Well, we are still hangin' in there! I just wanted to let you know that we don't really know anymore than we did before our doctors appt. The Pathology report showed that the tumor was a mixed germ-cell Nonseminoma tumor with 5 different kinds of germ cells. They did more bloodwork while we were there to get his tumor markers again to see if they are any different now after surgery. There is a possiblity they can be back to normal. If so, John will most likely go into observation monthly for a year. If not, we will look into chemotherapy and/or another surgery. The chemotherapy would probably be the first option. We have an appt. with an oncologist in Dothan for January 23rd. We are just going to talk with him about our options and see what his opinion on the situation is. We may use him or we may not. We are going to talk with my mother about that and get her opinion since she has been through this twice and has done all the research on doctors and knows which were the best through her experience. We go back to Dr. Nesbitt Monday to get the results of the bloodwork and discuss the tumor markers. Our specific prayer is that the numbers are back to normal! If not, we pray for wisdom on what to do next. Please keep praying for us!! John is doing better and better everyday. It is a slow go, but thankfully he is getting there! Pray for him to have patience. He wants to be OUTSIDE!!!

With all that said, I want to say THANK YOU once again to everyone! Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for all the delicious meals! THANK YOU! That has been a tremendous blessing to us both! Thank you for the sweet, sweet cards. I love getting "good" mail! We just are so thankful for all of you and cannot say it enough!

Through this trial, we have seen God work in awesome ways! In our own lives, and in others. He has answered prayer after prayer! It's amazing how through trying times God can make good things come of it. John and I have been studying the verses in James 1:2-5, and Romans 5:3-6. And we can see all of what they say coming to fruition in our lives! God has opened our eyes to things we both believe we would have never learned if we had not experienced this trial. When we first found out about John's cancer, we were talking with my parents and they were sharing verses and other things that helped them through the two times my mother had cancer. And one thing I remember Mama saying was that eventually we would be able to look back and say Thank You Lord for allowing us to experience this. It was a blessing! And I thought how can you thank the Lord for CANCER??!!! But, now I know exactly what she meant! We can truly say thank you Lord for what this has done in BOTH of our lives! I am so thankful for a Christian family that knows the Lord! John and I see just how important it is to raise your family in a home where God is talked about, His Word is read and taught, prayer is an everyday occurance, and going to church is NOT an option! Where love was/is shown everyday, and sticking by each other and standing up for one another was and is still just the way it's gonna be!! As Daddy would always say, "Do right til' the stars fall!" My childhood reminds me of the song, "Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good 'ole days, sometimes it feels like the worlds gone crazy. Take me back to yesterday when the line between right and wrong didn't seem so hazy. Lovers really fall in love to stay, stand beside each other come what may, promise really something people kept not just something they would say. Family's really bowed their heads to pray, daddys really never go away. Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good 'ole days." Thank you, Mama and Daddy for raising me in that kind of home!
We are learning more and more everyday about love, appreciation, time, family, and ALL those little and big things that we took for granted so many times before. We know that we are not promised tomorrow, so therefore we are going to make the best of TODAY! We love all of you and hope you all are having a great weekend!!

P.S. Please pray also for our sweet little man. He has a double ear infection and a runny nose and cough! We sure do miss him!!!

"My brethren, count it all joy when we fall into temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:2-5

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Chirst died for the ungodly." Romans 5:3-6

Have a Blessed Weekend!!!

We're Home!

Praise God we are home! First, we absolutely have no words to express how thankful we are for you all! The comments on this blog are more comforting and uplifting than we can explain! Thank y'all for all your prayers, phone calls, cards, comments, hospital visits, and friendship!!!!!!!!!! We are so very thankful!

I know most of you have heard about the scare on Wednesday morning, so I will spare you all the details. Just for a little info. for those who do not know...John woke me up early Wednesday morning telling me his scrotum was swollen and bleeding. I pulled the covers back, and he was RIGHT! I first wondered where the blood was coming from because he had no incision down there. I have never seen anything like it! I immediately started trying to call the emergency contact number, but was unable to get in touch with anyone. Sue came over and called Dr. Nesbitt's cell phone, and he said come on back over now. We tried to load John up in the car and he passed out in the doorway. We called for an ambulance and they took us back to Dothan to the emergency room. We waited in the emergency room for what seemed like days! They finally took John back for surgery around 12:30. I have never seen anyone in so much pain in my life! Minutes seem like days, literally! All of this was caused from blood pooling in the scrotum so much that it burst. Basically, we should have never gone home the day before but it is all over now and we just have to make it over one more speed bump. John stayed in the hospital from then until today. He was terrified to come home, but they have assured us he is okay now, and we are trusting in the Lord!!!

Wednesday afternoon after the 2nd surgery, Dr. Nesbitt came to tell us the CT Scan was all clear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot explain the feeling of relief from those few words! All we could get out of our mouths was Praise the Lord! We still don't know about treatments. We won't know anything much until the Pathology report comes back. There could be a possibility of some microscopic disease that didn't show up in the CT Scan, but with no big tumors showing, the future is much brighter!! We will be going back to see Dr. Nesbitt for a check-up Tuesday or Wednesday and he should let us know about the Pathology report then. We are praying for either NO treatments or very little. And we KNOW GOD is able to answer prayer!!!!!!!!!

John is starting to get very sore and is still in pain. The devil is trying to use every opportunity to discourage him and steal our joy! Please pray that God will have victory and He will give us the strength we need and give it to us new every morning!!!! We hope to get some rest and start seeing major improvements!

As I said before, we cannot tell you how much we hold dear your prayers and comments! When I finally was able to read these tonight, I just started crying again but they were tears of joy and gratefulness. It is so humbling to see how awesome God really is! We love you all!

For the past few days I have been clinging to these two verses:
..."weeping may endure for a night, but JOY cometh in the morning." Psalms 30:5

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him." Lamentations 3:21-25

Update on John

John and I just finished reading all of your precious comments, and we absolutely CANNOT explain to you all how grateful we are for your prayers! Just reading those comments brought us to tears! We love y'all and thank you more than words can express!!! We have definitely felt the presence of God today!

Last night we headed to Dothan with the plans of seeing the doctor this morning and having surgery scheduled for a later day. Well, God had other plans! John's mom got the doctor's e-mail address and explained the situation to him through e-mail. Within 10 MINUTES he had called her back and said he and his associate would work together to get John seen about first thing this morning and do surgery soon after!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!! An answer to prayer right there! We thank the Lord for Dr. Nesbitt and his willingness to help us! We absolutely loved his associate Dr. Byard as well! We had total peace with these two men as doctors and people! Another answered prayer!!!! So, we went on over to Dothan to spent the night so we wouldn't be in a rush.
We saw Dr. Byard around 8:00 this morning and he explained to us what kind of tumor it was and how the surgery would be done. It is a nonseminoma tumor. There are two different kinds of tumors. Seminoma and Nonseminoma. There are several differences, but mainly the treatments will differ. Depending on the CT Scan. We don't know the stage or any more than that right now. Dr. Byard was very comforting to us and we were so thankful for his compassion. He sent John to have a chest x-ray, and it came back CLEAR!!! Praise the Lord! What a joy and relief to hear those words! Around 1:00John was taken into surgery. Dr. Nesbitt said the surgery went well. About 4:00 John had a CT Scan. We don't know any of the results from that yet. He said we could hear tomorrow or the next day. This is a very important hurdle. The CT scan will tell us if the cancer has spread to any other parts of his body or any lymphnodes. We pray that it was confined to the one spot! But, we know that whatever the results, God is in control!!!
PLEASE continue to pray for healing! John is doing well from the surgery right now, but I'm sure in the next couple of days he will be very sore. We just ask that y'all keep praying for us! Thank you again for ALL your calls and prayers!

Thank you Ashley for coming to see us! I was so glad to see your sweet face! And I KNOW John Luke had a blast playing with his friends Sawyer and Eli! Thank you! Also thank you to Bro. Matt and Garrett for sticking it out with us all day! You both have been such a blessing! And thank you to all our family members! We Love Y'all!

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalms 27:14

"Be still and KNOW that I am GOD..." Psalms 46:10

I have always enjoyed posting on my blog, but this is certainly not the kind of post I've ever looked forward to doing. I am sorry I haven't been able to keep in touch and return phone calls, so I will try to keep everyone up-to-date on here as much as possible. I know most of you have heard about our situation and I want to first say thank you for your prayers already.
We don't know all the details but I will give you the information that we have as of right now. Last week, John started complaining about some pain in his lower abdomen and thought he had another hernia. We scheduled an appt. with the urologist here in town for Tuesday morning thinking we would find out if it was a hernia and be out of there. Unfortunately, that is not the news we got. The doctor did an examine on John and then did an ultrasound there in the office. He told us things did not look good and that he was sure it was a tumor of some kind. He did bloodwork and scheduled us to come back that Friday to get the results. We went back Friday, and from the bloodwork, we found that he did have a tumor and that it is malignant. He told us it was definitely testicular cancer. We are going to see another doctor in Dothan tomorrow morning for a second opinion. We are leaving this afternoon to go on over to Dothan and stay the night. Our sweet little man is with his Nan and Paw and his aunts, so he is in good hands and having a ball I'm sure! We hope and pray he will schedule surgery as soon as possible and we can find out some details after that. They will do a pathology report on the tumor and be able to tell us which kind of testicular cancer it is and what we are looking at as far as treatments.
Our prayer right now is that the cancer is confined to the one place and that surgery will take care of it. We know God is in control of all things and that He able to do abundantly more than we can ask or think {"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us". Ephesians 3:20}. John and I both can already see God's hand in this situation. It is amazing how quickly life changes!!! Literally in minutes! We will never be the same two people again! I am confident God has BIG plans in store for us and that He is going to use us in MIGHTY ways!
We cannot explain to you all how thankful we are to have family and friends who are praying for us and who we know love and care for us!!! It is tremendously comforting to know that people are lifting us up in prayer!
Our specific prayer requests right now are:
1. Please PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Pray that God is merciful and will HEAL John completely.
3. Pray that the doctors are compassionate and truly care.
4. Pray that we will not be overwhelmed by all the information and God will give us wisdom to make the right decisions.
5. Pray for us to have strength and peace that passes all understanding!!! Philippians 4:7

WE LOVE YOU!!!