Update June 8, 2009
Today Jamie is having surgery to have a kidney transplant... her own kidney, removed and replaced and when I say replaced, I mean her own kidney taken from her lower back and moved around and place in her pelvic area from the front. This will allow Jamie to return to a bit more of a normal life as she has had to carry a drain that exited from her back to clear that kidney. Without the drain she'll be able to swim, shower and get about without concern of the six foot long tail.
A concern for Jamie is whether this new placement of the kidney will hinder her active lifestyle. So, she has asked that folks pray through this 8 hour long surgery and she'll be able to return all the sports she loves. So, without taking my words for it, I'll repost the words she wrote this morning on her blog.
As I go into this next surgery I pray that all goes well. I pray that I can still go to the bathroom on my own and that there is no further damage. I also pray that the doctors can tuck my kidney in far enough that it doesn't really bother me. I will be out for at least 8 hours so most of all I hope I wake up because you never know when it is going to be your time!
Powered By God,
Jamie
Update February 24, 2009
Thank you everyone for continuing to check out this link to find prayer updates for Jamie... This started last year for the purpose of praying during the difficult uncertainties and arduous surgeries she was facing. Since those surgeries and subsequent recovery Jamie and Courtney have done quite a bit to update her own blog. So, continuing to post comments and prayer requests here seemed a bit redundant.
So, let me get back to the original intent of this blog post... Jamie, thanks you for all the prayers. These prayers have literally come from around the world to a God who is the creator of this world and who's home is out of this world. But yet this same God can make His home in you! The Bible tells us that Christ can make his home in our hearts if we trust Him (Eph. 3:17) and The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:9). As you can see Jamie has placed her trust in Christ and from this she gets her "power" and what gives her strength to finish this life of faith, our ultimate race so she can say, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing (2Tim. 4:7,8). This very life of faith, this same race is available to you. All you have to do is get in the race!
You sign up by asking... "God, I want to be the race." Your entry fee has already been paid. Christ paid it on the cross. Tell him thanks... "Jesus, thank you for paying for my sins." You will be offered the ultimate sponsor in His Spirit, who comes alongside and supports you. Tell Him your need, "Spirit of God, help me be the person you want me to become." And together, you and God will run this race! You will wear His jersey, displaying His name and racing for His glory! "Father, it's all for you!"
If you get in the "race" you'll be on a new team, needing training and encouragement. So, let me know... I invite you to email me at danp@twinoakschurch.com I would love to hear from you and see if there is anything I can offer as encouragement, support and what's next.
Again, thanks!
Update October 22, 2008
Last week I called Jamie to check in, see how things were going. "Guess what?" she says. I always hate to hear this from her because it usually means something isn't good. And sure enough she had just finished a whirl-wind turnaround to have the drain tubes removed from her backside. Unfortunately, the tubes still remain and a deflated Jamie was looking at the possibility of not traveling to Maui for Xterra Worlds.
The doctors, to their credit, tried everything but the result is the tubes must remain, and may remain for some time, until they can determine the right means to unblock the kidneys. The upside, Jamie could travel to Hawaii, the downside as she put it, I won't be able to swim in the ocean with the turtles.
All of this just a week and a half after Xterra Nationals at Tahoe which was an incredibly profound boost to her spirit and much needed reconnection with the sport that has been so much of her identity. This continued rollercoaster ride of emotions and slow progress toward an newfound understanding of wholeness would make the most resolute in life want to give up. So friends... here's what to pray for.
1. A great time this week for Jamie and Courtney to personally connect. It's just the two of them and exactly what the proverbial doctor ordered.
2. When Jamie returns preparations for chemotherapy require a strong Jamie! Pray for her strength.
3. The doctors at UCSF have a "breakthrough" understanding how to deal with the blockage in her kidney.
4. Continued provision for their expenses. They've a long way to go.
5. Courtney's work. Wisdom to balance the need of being on the job and being there for Jamie.
6. Jamie's emotional strength... while everyone attends to her then goes to attend to other things, Jamie never gets a break from the physical difficulties.
7. That those who are able bodied and use "Handicap" provisions will not take parking places, motorized shopping carts and otherwise provided help aids from Jamie... this has happened more than a few times!
Finally, let's never stop praying for total healing. Our God is capable to completely, and miraculously restore her.
Thanks for praying!
Update September 5, 2008
Please continue to pray for Jamie, Courtney and her family. I want to ask you to especially pray for Jamie's dad, Biff. He has been by her side sometimes for weeks on end, literally 24 hours a day seven days a week! As a father, I know, watching a child in pain is horrible. Jamie and her dad are very close. They have a special relationship that is only defined by them and is evident to anyone who meets them. I know this has taken it's toll on Biff and when you're trying to be the strong one for someone else it's easy to forget the strength-giver needs to be strengthen too. So please pray for encouragement, rest, continued patience and attentiveness and finally Jamie's full recovery so all those around her can rejoice in some good news!
Also, noted here... I don't always write updates on this post which is linked from Jamie's blog. Occasionally, I'll write other thoughts about Jamie, her struggle with cancer and triathlon. If you just click Main above you'll be taken to the latest blog post which can be thoughts on just about anything or in the "categories" click Triathlon and scroll through the various posts and find those past Jamie articles and finally you can subscribe to this blog in a reader or enter your email in the Feedblitz box to the right and you'll be email each new post as they come. For the latest article about Jamie click HERE.
Again, thanks for stopping by and caring enough for our friend to want to pray for her.
Update August 11, 2008
A lot has happened since the last update. We said goodbye to Lindsey and have put off our difficult decision with our dog until this Thursday when we can be together as a family. But that's small stuff compared to what Jamie's been going through. Let's get up to speed... As Courtney says.
With Jamie back in the hospital she continues to find herself in a place that says, "I'm sick." People who go to stay in hospitals are people who need to get better and she is constantly facing this up and down rollercoaster of "I"m getting better, no I'm not!"
My wife and I visited her on Saturday morning and in the short half hour we were there her temperature had risen so high she began to talk incoherently. We prayed for her and throughout the weekend. Today, I spoke with a fully coherent Jamie who apologized for her "spaciness" and one who admitted last week was extremely difficult emotionally and physically. I wrote on her board, "The JOY of the LORD is MY strength!" in part because my wife's name is Joy and because we often think our joy is evidenced by feelings or we misconstrue Joy as happiness. When Paul tells the church in Philippi, "Rejoice in the Lord always... and again, I say; rejoice!" the context is unusual. Look at it this way...
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Php 4:4-9). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
"Father... Joy; not happiness. Healing now; not then. Peace we don't understand; not the kind we do... and all for your glory!"
So keep praying and "fixing" your thoughts... find peace and be joy full.
Update July 23, 2008
Today has been a hard day for many... When I think of how much I've prayed for Jamie and asked God to heal her and give her back the joy of her racing, physical amazement and competitive edge I am reminded of life as fragile with those who are less prominent. My wife and I are deciding that our family dog, Monet, must be "put down" because of cancer. She's twelve. She's a Rottweiler and for what ever you think about these dogs she's the best: Sweet and loving; kinder than any Golden Retriever you've met. But she's a dog. We'll deal with it. But I'll cry.
Tonight I hear Lindsey died. I'm broken. The tears keep running down my cheeks. I can hardly write this. She was so beautiful. 21 years old and full of life until she had this "thing" inside her. I am a father and have two daughters; 22 and 19 years old. Get it? I don't. My heart breaks for Steve; Lindsey's father. I get that! I'm not sure how much more I can say about this... I am spent. Truly. I love Steve and Debbie and can not bear to think about the pain they must.
Lord, spare us all. Why the pain? Why the hurt? Jamie should be whole... Heal her damn it! Don't let her or anyone feel this... make life what it was a year ago. God, my love, the devotion of my life... I'm angry!
Please... do what you can do... don't be silent...
please.
Update July 1, 2008
Had a great discussion with Jamie this morning. She is happy, expectant, trusting God even greater and facing more challenges as she continues to deal with the aftermath of surgery and remaining cancer in her body. As already detailed in her blog, she has to have radiation for a few more days and then surgery on the 14th to remove the "new" tumor. Depending on timing and Jamie's trip to Japan, it seems Jamie will have to undergo chemotherapy as further preventative treatments are made to annihilate this disease inside her. Furthermore the need to upgrade the house they live in and figure out a means by which she can continue training/racing to her mental and physical potential is pressing as the need to make life easier as it seems to get harder would be a true answer to prayer.
So DoxA readers, be praying for healing, God's will to be fulfilled, skill of doctors and caregivers, favor with the producers of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and provision for Jamie and Courtney as we remember them.
I have been so encouraged by Jamie's joy and faith in God during this time... I'm praying for you that her fate brings you faith!
blessings!
Update June 5, 2008
Continue to pray for Jamie as the recovery is long and provides new challenges daily. Today she begins a month long journey back and forth to the city for radiation treatments on her pelvis and spine. This is being done to be certain any cells that may still exist in her body will be gone and have no further affect on her. Please pray that these treatments go well and for her strength to continue as she receives these treatments.
Also, Please check out her website about the possibility of Extreme Home Makeover coming to their area. I've also posted my thoughts on how we can help. Click HERE to read how you could possibly help Jamie and Courtney get a home that will facilitate her recovery and function.
Update April 17, 2008
As you can see Jamie is now in the "getting better" mode. It's great to read the progress of her recovery and see she is going to be out at various races sharing her knowledge and experience with us average folks. She will be a huge help to so many even if she doesn't line up for the race. So, again "thanks" will be going in her direction!
But let me tell you a story...
Years ago, I was in a similar situation as Jamie. I had a severely herniated disc in my neck and had lost all feeling in my right ring and little fingers. my right pectoral and triceps muscles had completely shriveled away. I could hardly lift 5lbs over my head with a triceps press and my wife said, "I looked deformed." Our doctor told me I had to have 3 vertebrae in my neck fused and I should have the surgery within a couple of days because I was close to losing the use of my arm altogether. I had several people praying for me. One friend, told me about a bible study at this person's house on Sunday and I should come by for them to pray for me. I thanked him. On Sunday, after church we went to lunch and on the way home remembered my friends offer. As I was driving by the turn to go to the bible study I thought, "You know, I've had so many friends praying for me, I don't really need to go." But then this story popped in my mind. A story I don't think of... Ever!
When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” he cried. Elisha told him, “Get a bow and some arrows.” And the king did as he was told. Elisha told him, “Put your hand on the bow,” and Elisha laid his own hands on the king’s hands. Then he commanded, “Open that eastern window,” and he opened it. Then he said, “Shoot!” So he shot an arrow. Elisha proclaimed, “This is the Lord’s arrow, an arrow of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameans at Aphek.” Then he said, “Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.” So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times. But the man of God was angry with him. “You should have struck the ground five or six times!” he exclaimed. “Then you would have beaten Aram until it was entirely destroyed. Now you will be victorious only three times.”
Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. 2 Ki 13:14-19
When this story came to mind I turned the car around and went to my friend's bible study. They prayed for me as did others and today, I have never had that surgery. It took a while but my muscles came back (although after 12 years I'm still weaker now on the right side), I became an Ironman triathlete and I have never experienced that pain again!
You see, I believe we need to always pray... Keep praying and don't stop praying until you get the result you want. Remember the parable Jesus told about a widow who had a problem and needed the unjust judge to fix it? He sent her away but she kept on "pestering" him until he finally relented and said, "Somebody please take care of this woman!!!" (read Luke 18:1-8)
So, for Jamie... Let's keep praying; striking the ground and being a nag! God loves it when we come to him for all the right reasons and He will answer!
"Father we know you are a good and gracious God, loving toward us and wanting us to live life to our full potential. Will you please heal Jamie fully? Return the feeling in her foot and rebuild the muscles around her leg. Keep her positive and grant her favor with doctors, insurance companies, physical therapists and family and friends who need to continue to care for her. We look to you for her strength and ask you to work this miracle for your glory! Thank you for Jamie and make yourself known because of this journey. We thank you God for all you've done and trust you for all we need. In Jesus name!"
Amen!
Update April 2, 2008
Jamie continues to recover at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco. The good news is the tumor is out and she has begun her recovery back to a normal life. As I've been telling folks, the surgery wasn't a grand slam home run but it was a home run! There really is no bad news to tell other than she must wait to see how well the recovery process treats her. So, DoxA readers here's what I'm asking of you: Please continue to pray for Jamie's complete healing. That her pain goes away and she is able to quickly regain her strength. Pray for normalcy and ask God to bless both her and Courtney with time that has been lost due to all the hospital stays, travel and inconvenience of these past couple of months. They are encouraged that God has been so gracious to them and much of what they know now is nothing compared to what this could have been. Personally, thank God for your health and the example Jamie has been to you as an athlete showing tenacity and grit to win at the race of Xterra and for the person she is to win at the race of life.
Well, here we are sitting in the waiting room at UCSF Medial Hospital in San Fransisco. Jamie will finally get the tumor that has caused her tremendous pain and discomfort removed from her body. Many of you have been praying for Jamie and Courtney. She is personally grateful and taped this quick video to let you know personally how much you thinking of them means to them. Keep praying!
