Rewind, Lets See That Again

A trip through Rachel and Jamison's Facebook posts the week of her diagnosis.

August 6th, 2018 - Rachel Dye

Went into the hospital two nights ago for ovary pain, turns out I was severely constipated, long story short, I had a tumor in my intestines that’s probably been growing for a couple years and had enlarged and caused the blockage. I had surgery this morning and they removed the tumor and part of my intestines. I’m recovering ok, but it’s going to take several months to heal. While in surgery the doc found a nodule on my liver and removed that as well, and we’re having both tested to make sure nothing’s cancerous.
It’s safe to say Jamie and I are both still kind of in shock this all happened so fast, we would greatly covet your prayers for a speedy recovery for me and peace! So thankful tor my family helping out with the kids and for the house.

August 6th, 2018 - Jamison Dye

As many of you already know, my wife had emergency surgery this morning to remove a tumor from her large intestine.

As I sit here in the hospital room, Rachel resting, I can't help but wonder at the greatness of God. How two days ago, Rachel ran 5 miles, and just a moment ago she fought to walk 200 feet. How yesterday we were planning our life goals around things like finances, fitness, and ministry, and today our goals are simple: "10 deep breaths per hour" and "take a walk" (she nailed it on both, btw). And yet in spite of it all, God is still great. He is still sovereign, and though this may not have been our plan for the weekend, it was always His.

So now as we figure out what life looks like, I can say this: we are no longer thinking in miles, we are thinking in feet.

Thank you to everyone that has already blessed us by your love, prayers, and service during this time. No matter what tomorrow looks like, we know two things today: God is good and we are loved. "Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps."

August 7th, 2018 - Rachel Dye

I’m doing pretty good, I went for one walk this morn and napped right after 😂 I’m about to go for another one, I haven’t eaten hardly anything, I’m on a liquid diet until my intestines wake up from the anesthesia, and I’m doing pretty good emotionally, I have to try not to be discouraged about the healing process cuz I’m just going to have to have surgery again in four months when they reattached the stoma. But getting on Facebook every few hours and being bombarded with love and support is pretty amazing!

“But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15

August 7th, 2018 - Jamison Dye

Day two of our new life: God is still good and we are still loved. Daily goals: 10 deep breaths per hour, 3 walks, 3 times sitting in the chair.

Rachel has grown stronger throughout the day and now she is walking the entire 300ft loop smoothly (though she needs a nap soon after). We have had a steady stream of visitors which has made us feel loved and cared for. It means more than you all know to have the notes, messages, phone calls, drop-ins, and gifts these past two days.

Down to business, we met with the PA that was in the surgery and learned some more details. They removed a golf-ball sized tumor from the colon and sent it off to pathology without actually opening the section of colon to look at it so we have no real insight into the likelihood of it being cancerous. That being said, we are now 2-4 days away from results so we pray and patiently (or sometimes not so patiently) wait.

Our lesson for the day: Rest is good for the mind and soul. Even Jesus thought so:

"Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

August 8th, 2018 - Rachel Dye

I just woke up from a nap with a tear rolling down my cheek. The lab tests came back this morning and I have stage 4 colon cancer. Then the realization of how many people are praying for me was made real when verses of Gods love came flooding to my mind. And I was somehow overwhelmed with a moment of peace.

Thank you thank to everyone who has reached out to me with encouragement and verses it means more to me then you’ll ever know. My parents and the pastors immediately came to the hospital when we found out and anointed me with oil and prayed for complete healing for me. God is faithful and he is with me. We have to wait two weeks for me to heal from the surgery to then have a pet scan to see if the cancer is anywhere else in my body. I'm trying so hard not to worry about this. Pray hard for me. Please please please consider going to my church tomorrow night at 7 and praying and fasting for me with my church family, it would mean the world.

“But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh thou upon me, they art my help and my deliverer, make no tarrying, O my God” Psalms 40:17

August 9th, 2018 - Jamison Dye

Cancer met our God tonight.

We are humbled by the response from our community and believers at large. It was encouraging and painful and good and humbling to be a part of the prayer meeting at our church this evening. Thank you to everyone who participated in the call for prayer and fasting today, Rachel has said throughout the day that she can feel the prayers and it lifts her spirit.

For a more practical update, we have meetings scheduled with multiple doctors in the next few weeks as well as a PET scan to determine the extent of the remaining cancer, if it had the guts to stick around after the show of force today. Our primary focus is still to recover from the surgery (planning to discharge on Saturday) and then look to next steps.

As we look to the future, we have two requests for each of you:

1. Please do not hesitate to send us a word of encouragement or scripture or written prayer. These things help us feel grounded.

2. If you do, please do not be shy. Do not say "I'm sure you've heard this alot..." or "I hope this is ok". Be confident and know that your unique thoughts are meaningful. They encourage us and challenge us and connect us to our family. We may not respond, but it is always meaningful.

August 10th, 2018 - Rachel Dye

Hey all my awesome prayers warriors 😊 I could really use some prayer this morning for a few specific things ♥️
I’ll try not to give to many details I don’t want to gross anyone out 🤪
I really really need my stomach to wake up after surgery. That’s one of the main things keeping me in the hospital. I still haven’t eaten anything but clear liquids ( except amazing bone broth from beautiful Kim ♥️ )
In going on 6 days now. My stomachs bloated and swollen just because it’s not moving or doing anything, and it’s pretty painful.
And please pray that the pain wouldn’t effect my attitude, I’m interacting with new nurses and people every day and it’s been awesome, just pray that I would still have hope and joy and peace in spite of how I feel.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Thanks for the verse last night Hattie Bauska

August 11th, 2018 - Rachel Dye

There’s a chance I could come home today ♥️ I need to be with my babies again 😭

August 11th, 2018 - Rachel Dye

Getting discharged hopefully in the next hour!! Thank you so much for all the prayers it’s made the stay here so much better in so many different ways, I could honestly feel your prayers. If you could pray for the transition home, I’m really excited but nervous at the same time because I’m going home a different person than when I left, just the aspect that I’m in the greatest trial of my life. It will be hard to find a new normal and adjust life so much from what it was. God is holding me fast and I’m giving Him my tears.

Psalms 139:12 - even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.