Hi I know this is a long update, my own body has delayed my being able to sit and type so I didn't get these out as they came in. Please know that if you have a need we are here for you and if you want me to send out prayer request, I will do that for you. Prayer is such an awesome blessing from our Father, and we totally depend on Him.

Holly Griffin: had her bone marrow test completed on Mon. Grandpa went with her and was able to be with her and lend a hand to hold during the proceedure. He is one of the most supportive, gentle men during difficult, painful, times. I told her I felt more comforted knowing he was with here even more than Chuck!!! HeeHee! I think Chuck finds comfort in his dad being there when he can't. I've been taking the girls whenever Holly has an appointment or a day of much needed rest. ("It's a difficult job, but someone has to do it!!!" You all know I love our girls!) She was to have the lung scan early that morning, but not one tech showed up to do the job.

The next day, she had to pre-register for her out patient proceedure to implant the port in the chest wall, that will be used for all Chemo and blood drawn. The girls and I went with them, they dropped us off at the mall where we had a small lunch and then I let the girls just run and play around the enclosed, Christimas scene they had put up. Mickey & his friends were a big hit! We continued to play while mom & grandpa ate after mom's paper work was complete! The girls fell asleep on the way home so we dropped mom off at home and grandma went to the store and finished my list of needs for Holly's birthday party later that night! So we really enjoyed our day, yes you guessed it grandma was drained by the bed time hour!!! But watching Presley help grandma prepare for her mommy's party and how excited she was to sing happy birthday! And seeing Holly being pampered by her aunts, uncles & cousins that helped celebrate "Holly", Well let's just say that it was wonderful.

On Wed. morning the no show staff showed for a 75 minute Lung scan for Holly. She had Grandpa drop her off at home to rest. She will have the surgery to implant the port on Mon. Jan. 5th. Then soon after her first chemo will follow, not scheduled for that as of yet. There are so many things that one must go through before the chemo begins, as those of you who have gone through this know all to well. And please let me encourage you to drop Holly a note if you had something that helped you during cancer. We don't want her to suffer any more than she has to. So all knowledge is so encouraged!

It's amazing how much she has been doing right after a surgery like she had. Each have slowed her down and fatigued her, but her will is strong and she is resolved to beat this cancer with a positive attitude! Honestly that is a big portion of the battle that will be won. They give her almost 100% cure rate which we are so extremely thankful for, but we know the chemo & the radiation will taxi her health and strength. But are ready to help her in any way that we can. Please continue to pray for Holly, Chuck, Presley & Avery & the rest of us who love and support her.

Elaine Ropp: is doing so well, considering her condition! That ever sweet smile, and concern for others has not escaped her loving nature! Those hugs are even more precious as they once were to all. Sun. afternoon I watched her comfort one of her grandson's and her simple touch just melted away the tears from his eyes! I know it touched Tyler's heart to see his mom with his youngest son Jude! Her kidney still is a problem, but they are dealing with it as she continues to get her maintenance chemo drugs to hold this cancer from growth. She & Doug are in Kansas City off and on. Doug continues to work in the KC area. He is still in so much pain himself with his neck. The strength shown by them can only come from God. I recently spoke with Elaine's brother and he told me that every niece Elaine had looked up to her and wanted to be like her. Elaine is quiet but, her living example shouts to all. I thank God that there are Christians like Elaine and encourage all Christians to grow and never be satisfied, to hunger to be more Christ like in their walk here on this earth.

Barbara & Mack Baughn: Mack does such an incredible job updating us on Barbara so I'm posting his email update. But I do want to tell you that this couple is incredible! Mack resigned as an elder at Memorial Drive in Tulsa to focus on their physical needs. Mack was a strong elder and I'm sure from time to time he is called upon for wisdom. It takes so much out of a man especially to care for the needs of his wife. And Barbara is so blessed to have Mack help and encourage her she walks the path of healing, it is a journey that takes so much strength and effort. God is so richly blessing her with the strength to endure what she must and giving Mack strength to help her each step of the way. I have a Mack (hubby) of my own and know how priceless his love and support is to to me and I'm sure Barbara feels the same way. I also know this journey of healing has been a very long road for Barbara & Mack, God has blessed them with the strength they need. The care and concern that the two of these people have had for us is just incredible, knowing they are going through so much themselves, they take time for our family. Thank you Mack & Barbara you are treasured by so many.

UPDATE ON BARB'S HEALTH‏ From: tmbaughn@cox.net
Sent: Fri 12/19/08 8:55 AM

I realize that it has been over a month since the latest update. There haven't been any significant changes other than Barbara is getting stronger and her stamina is getting better with each passing day. She is able to walk, with the aide of her walker, about 400 feet without stopping. She has also taken a few steps without her walker while holding my hand. She is not really stable doing this yet, but it is another baby step on the road to normal.We really appreciate all your concern and prayers on her behalf. Without the prayers, we would not have been able to make it.Please continue to pray for both of us. Also please pray for Barb's dad, Mr. Fred Paxton. He is in the rehab wing of St. Elizabeth's Place in Jonesboro, Arkansas.With much love to all,Barbara & Mack

Rita & Ken Burns: Rita continues to deal with her B-cell Lukemia, which is unlike the Lukemia that most of you know about. It grows very slowly and the treatment is to watch it's growth. To look at Rita or Ken you would know nothing is wrong! That ever inviting smile can be seen going out to many from across the room. And when we are even with the hint of a cold or virus we stay away! So I get lots of those across the room smiles!! But when I know I'm fine I love those hugs! Ken suffers with a bad back now and has been going through some testing for his heart. Regardless of what they are going through they are there to sit with the family of those having surgery or taking food to those who need it. Rita made a meal for our kids when Holly had her surgery, Holly began to eat and she told Chuck, "This is sooo good we have to have it again tonight and have your dad come over!" That is a great compliment! And I know Rita has her down times, but still has other's in her focus of concern. Please keep these two dear strong Chrsitians in your prayers!

Buford & Lorinda Orear: Bufford continues to recover from his open heart surgery, which thank God is going so well. He is waiting for back surgery so please keep him in your prayers that he will be healthy for that and gain relief of pain. Lorinda has constant pain in her hips and I think still her neck. She is so strong and has done a great job raising her kids and being an example to her grandchildren. It's difficult to live with constant pain, but she does it and encourages others who have needs. God gives so much strength to each of them and we are so blessed to serve such an awesome God! "I say that alot, because I'm so excited He is our God"

Update #38 from Stacy King - December 8, 2008

Hey to all! Sorry it's been a little while since my last update. I went for chemo last week (a huge thank you to Gina Kaufman for taking me). We went up on Monday and did my lab work so that my Dr. would have the results when he saw me on Tuesday. My Ca-125 dropped from 69 to 62 which wasn't earth-shattering but a drop nonetheless. Since there was a drop, he decided to go ahead and do another treatment of the drugs I've been getting. Due to the fact that I had a Neulasta shot after my last round of chemo ( I had a low white cell count after the last round)and that count was up to 7 so I was able to have 100% of my treatment. I guess that's why this treatment really knocked me for a loop...I hope it's doing the same to my cancer! I am scheduled to go back on Tuesday...barely get to feeling better and it's time to go again! I guess after this round he will evaluate what's next. He is still saying that surgery is my best option along with the chemo. We're a little concerned about the surgery because I am at such a higher risk of problems after having the P32 radiation treatment that I had a few years ago. I guess we'll wait and see what's next.

We're hoping to go to Indy to have Christmas with my family this coming weekend and then on to Texas on December 21st to be with Greg's family for about 10 days. I guess the only thing that would change these plans would be a change in the Dr.'s plans for me. It's been an emotional roller coaster for the past few weeks and we're just trying to put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time. We hope all of you have a wonderful, and safe holiday season with your families. So many to remember in your prayers!
thanks for your love, support, and prayers! We appreciate them more than words can say! love, greg, stacy, shelby, and mitchell

Kelsey Harris: 15 yr. old with brain tumor:

Brethren and friends,

Today was another difficult day. Kelsey had her MRI first thing this morning. We saw the doctor around 11:00am, and we were disappointed by the news. The tumor has grown quite a bit, probably around 25%. It's difficult to tell exactly with this tumor because it's hard to know where it begins and ends. Dr. Broniscer gave us three treatment options and we have decided to go with the one that has the mildest side effects. Kelsey has had some regression in her balance and strength, so we were not surprised that the tumor has progressed. We are obviously upset, but we are hanging in there. Since Kelsey has had a break from chemo and is feeling better than she has for a bit, we are going to take the week off and head to Louisville. We hope to have some time to visit with family and our Galena family. We will come back next week and head to St. Jude to start the new chemo. It is a pill form, 1 pill a day for 5 days, then three weeks off, then chemo again. We won't have to make as many trips to the hospital, which will be nice. Please keep us in your prayers.

Simon and Teresa

As for myself, I have raised enough to at least begin the insurance the first of Jan. I'm still making bows and selling the Herbalife nutrition along with having a power mall online. So if you shop on line at the gap, sears, old navy, drug stores, etc. PLEASE email me and I will send you the site to go to and I can earn that way also. As you may be able to tell, I work these as I can so I'm not make the big bucks!!!! My body rather dictates what I accomplish, but with God's help I'm doing fine for me!!!!

It looks like because I did not have insurance for 7 yrs, which no one would cover me, and I did not know about nor was I ever told by the multiple insurance representatives that each state has a "high risk" insurance that one can obtain! URGGG!!! Oh well, God has gotten me through everything else, this will be a breeze!! I have to wait (90 days) before my insurance which I will be paying almost $600 a month for will pay nothing for me for 90 days. The insurance man told me there was no way around this. So now insurance companies won't cover you and then when a high risk one will they punish you for not having insurance that you could not get!!! I have to LAUGH at all of this or I would CRY, (Not good, then ya get a headache from crying!!!!!) So I will smile and pray that God continues as He has for 24 years to fill me with His strength, patients and tenderness until I can have the surgery." And it gives me 3 months to help Holly & make more money to help with the insurance payments, before going through the long rehab after the back surgery. I will see how I do, then if I do really good with the back, I will simply have the hand & ear surgeries during the rehab time. Recoup from it all together!! Yeah right, that is my sensible brain talking on time! The body may revolt and say, "I don't think so!"

Please continue to pray for our family as we journey though Holly's battle with cancer. Please pray for strength, wisdom & ability to encourage her and help her with the girls and any need that arises. Please pray for Chuck to be strong and gain peace in knowing that his dad can help Holly with so many trips to the doctor, that his two precious girls are safe with his mom & that his entire family & Christian family are there for them. It is not easy to let other's step in where you strongly feel that you should be. But with working to support your family you can't always be present physically, though you are in thought. Chuck is still preaching in Nevada, MO and told his dad and I the other night that he didn't know with Holly's cancer if it would be possible to come up with sermons with the emotions he was going through. But he told us it helped him so much and made him stronger, he loves preaching. (We could have told him that, but better to find out yourself and feel those things for yourself!)

I know there are others like Sharon Rogers from the Kansas City area who just had knee surgery, which shows that she will need a knee replacement surgery in a few years, they did everything they could do to help with the pain for now. And Barbara in Nevada, MO who's heart was so badly damaged when the doctors began to work on her heart, they had to transplant half of a pigs heart to keep her alive. And she is doing so well. Thank God that He has given so much knowledge to mankind to help heal our bodies. And there are so many whom have been injured by something and are finding that companies and people don't always do what is right. The frustration and discouragement can get the best of you from time to time. Those are times when we can lean upon the many words that God has so lovingly given unto us, "Be still... wait upon the Lord. And He will give His people peace..." & "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me...." I could go on and on, but I know that you have your words from God that make life easier for you. And in all that we do, we know that satan is there to discourage, and hender us from over coming trials. But we can be zealous and positive with all the promises that God has given to us! Thank God for making every trial know to man beatable with Him by our side!!!!!

I know there are so many struggles as we all journey through our life, our prayer for each of you is that God will be ever present in your minds and that He will give you the strength to endure what you must, knowledge to understand, wisdom to discern, the ability to keep encouraging others during your times of trial, peace and comfort to touch your heart and ease your mind that only God can give. May you always reach for God first in your quest for answers and lean upon His understanding and not the understanding of man. God bless and continue to keep you each in His care during 2009 and always.

Love & Prayers

This will be short. I have two little girls waiting for Grandma to get into bed!! We picked them up today around noon, Holly was so tired. We will have them today through Wed. after/evening to let Holly rest. Her parents and sister will be coming in for her birthday Wed. night she will be 26!

The Oncologist did not have the report back from the biopsy yet. He did have the PET scan report back. It appears that the only lymph glands affected are the ones on that right side. Here is the plan as of right now. Things could change after he gets the pathologist report back.

4 months of Chemo every 2 weeks Then 6 weeks of weekly Radiation treatments.

Within the next 2 weeks Holly will have a port placed in her chest wall for all treatments and blood drawn.

He will do a bone marrow test and scan her lungs to look for cancer, if none is there he will consider the cancer grade 1. If any tumors are in the lungs or if the bone marrow shows cancer then she will be labeled as grade 4.

This young woman is amazing. She is so worn out, I told her today to just play with the girls and leave the hard work up to the rest of us that her only job is getting plenty of rest so she can heal and go through the chemo with strength.

PLEASE continue to pray for Holly and PLEASE pass the prayer request along to all those that you know and to your congregation. All encouragement for them is so wanted and appreciated by our entire family.

Here is their information again: 1211 E Pine Fort Scott, KS 66701

Holly: drholly245@aol.com Chuck: roadhawk87@hotmail.com

They have 2 daughters Presley Jade 3 in Jan. Avery Skye 2 in April. All need your prayers. Tonight Holly said goodnight to Presley and Presley cried to stay with mommy, she was so broken hearted. I know this breaks Holly's heart, she wants so much to be well and to take care of her girls and do all the things they did just a few short weeks ago again. This precious little girl knows mommy has a big booboo and just wants her mommy to be well. Neither understand why mom can't do some things right now. So please keep all of them in your prayer.

They changed my flight home, I called last night and told them that I physically could not handle getting stranded at the airport in Denver all night if the flight was cancled. She did not want to take the chance either. I'm scheduled to fly home Mon. My flight is a direct one & gets in at 5 pm Joe will have the girls and I plan to have them over night if Holly needs it. Talked to Joe & he she was moving very slow, once the drain tube is out she will be better. Under the arm A very uncomfortable cumberson place to have a drain tube. When I had the drain tube in my back it was so uncomfortable.

We are very thankful that the Hodgkins Lymphoma has a high cure rate, but we pray for Holly as she goes through some pretty tuff chemo treatments. We never want to hear the words Hodgkins Lymphoma at any age. But to be 25 years old with 2 little girls Presley 3 & Avery 20 months along with a hubby who works long hours having to deal with chemo and side effects and healing from surgery. The road is long and cumbersome but God will give her what she needs as she needs it!

I LOVE PLEO & because of pleo, there is a young man that I met that is celebrating his 3rd year of cancer free from his Hodgkins Lymphoma and he offered to be there for them and tell them what to expect. How wonderful is that!! This is a new frightening road in life that must be walked for Holly, God is so wonderful and His children we are so thankful for!

I talked to Joe this morning and Presley had kept Holly up a lot last night. She kept waking up crying for mommy. Even after Chuck had put her in bed with them, she still cried out for mommy. And she slept right up under Holly. So needless to say being a mom, you sacrifice your own comfort for that of your children. Holly is just a priceless mom! Joe took Holly to her echo cardiogram this morning at 8AM. He said she was so exausted, and she is fasting for her PET scan. Joe told her where ever she wanted to eat he would take her there. Grandpa is taking good care of her, I know personally how gentle and caring this man is during recovery. She is in the best possible hands besides her hubby or own dad! Joe told me that her PET scan was at 11AM so he stopped by the store and Holly would fall asleep while he was gone, then he felt bad for getting back in the Yukon and waking her up. He said that Holly kept dozing off and on. They were going by Chuck's work to get her pain medicine. I had some percocet that Joe took to her last night. Chuck picked her medicine up on the way to work this morning and Joe took her by Chuck's work to get that for her.

He will take the girls home with him when they get back so she can get some much needed rest. Melissa is with them right now! Presley woke up while I was on the phone with Melissa, and didn't cry, so that is a good thing!!!

Presley is the most caring thoughtful little one at her age, I have not seen such great concern for others in another little since our oldest son Gregg and I see this in his oldest daughter Kaylie. A precious gift from God to have. So her seeing her Nana cry when she found out her daughter had cancer and mommy having a big booboo when she got home has peaked this little girls thoughts about what is going on. Joe's sister Melissa was with Holly's parents when they got the news and she said that they both were so broken hearted by the news but did so well for the girls. I know Holly felt such comfort knowing that her mom & dad were there for the girls and her. Holly's mom told Melissa this morning that she hated to leave. I can't begin to know the fears inside this mother as she leaves her daughter to fight this battle. Holly's dad has a lot of health problems so her mom must work. I know she will be ever present by phone and making as many trips to help as she can. My being gone so long probably isn't helping Presley with her fears either. When I talked to her on the phone she would tell me that she wanted to come to Kaylie's and be with me. And she was so excited that Grandma was coming home. I was to go home Tues. and the girls got sick with croupe here so Jenny needed help and then my flight for today was canc. Which Jenny was thrilled for herself to have help!! She said it was selfish of her, and felt bad that I'm not at home. I told her that Holly had her mom until this morning and she has Grandpa and Great Auntie M' & Auntie V' along with 2nd cousin Jackie to help with the girls. I will have plenty of time with the girls when I get home. They are big enough now where they can play while Grandpa studies. And it is so cute when they come over, first thing Presley asks is, "Grandma where is Grandpa in his office!" They know where Grandpa lives!!!! HEEHEE!!!

Thank God for Joe's wonderfully supportive family to be right there when you need them. I don't worry about being gone for so long because I know there love for our son and his family!!!! And Joe's sister's Sandy & Letitia that live in Okla. are always a phone call away as well as his brother Ron & wife Carey who had breast cancer & now has MS are so very supportive. I think Aunt Carey will be a great source of encouragement to Holly. She celebrates 19 yrs. cancer free this year!!!! Thank you guys!! We love you so much!!! And thank you John Durling & Dave Groves for sitting with and supporting my guys and Holly through this difficult surgery! And Freda Determan for organizing food for the next 2 weeks!! Again God's children are so WONDERFUL!

Thank you all for your prayers, kind thoughts and emails of encouragement. So many have asked if the kids need financial support and we appreciate that so very much. Joe and I are trying to do what we can for them and her parents are limited, but do what they can. But we know that isn't enough so if you want to help them with travel & medical feel free to. No it will not hurt their feelings they will be grateful. Your continued prayers are the most valuable gift of all.

Holly should be in surgery right now, I talked to Joe last night and he said her surgery was scheduled for 8 am. She had to be there at 6 am so they were leaving at 5 am. I know last night had to be a restless night for her. I talked to Chuck also and he seemed very tired, and I'm sure very nervous. I'll finish this note when I get a call from Joe. Should be any time.

Chuck just called me and I heard the words, Hodgkin Lymphoma is what the surgeon labeled Holly's tumor. He removed Lymph glands from the area. She will go home today if she wants to, she will have a drain tube for a while and the doctor said they would have nurses go to their home and care for her throughout the course of recovery. They see the oncologist in 2 weeks. Right now he thinks it is in Stage 1 but won't know until the pathology report comes back. We prayed for non cancer, but God has blessed us with early stage Hodgkin Lymphoma which we are so thankful for. The success in treatment is extremely high. But we all know cancer at such a young age is not what any one wants. God will give Holly & all us the strength we need to endure what must be endured and His hand will guide the doctors in her care. This is all I know for now, there has not been time for any of us to absorb this information. I'll post more later.

Right now my request is that everyone continues to pray for Holly and please encourage her & her family through emails or cards. This could never come at a good time, but this wonderful young mom has been the pillar of strength for her family enduring so many things and loving her husband and little girls beyond measure during it. This is so difficult for me and I know for Joe because his mom had Non Hodgkin Lymphoma. Her's was at a higher stage and treatment was more difficult, and the advances in medicine today amaze us. We are thankful that the advances have been made and give us great hope. Please pray for our entire family, a lot of people whom love and will support Holly as she goes through this stage. And please say a special prayer for Holly's family this is their little girl and I can't imagine the fear that is within them right now. Just hearing the word is difficult, but knowing the hope for cure will calm all our fears. And please pray for me that I will have the strength and health to help Holly through this.

Holly, Chuck, Presley & Avery Griffin

1211 E Pine

Fort Scott, KS 66701

drholly245@aol.com Holly

roadhawk87@hotmail.com Chuck

Love & Prayers

Deb

Hi

This was very discouraging for all of us. What we thought was going to be a biopsy ended up being a appointment with the surgeon to discuss the surgery. He didn't want to go any further until he talked to them, which is reasonable. The CT scan showed that the Lymph glads thus far are not affected by the tumor. Right now the tumor is self contained. He explained to them that the tumor is a large one which the bottom of it lays agains the main nerve in her arm. The top of it lays against the main artery that runs into the arm. Injury to both is a possibility. He said he wished that he could tell them for sure that it was just a fatty tumor, but it could be breast cancer or Lymphoma. In that case the lymph glands will be removed. After talking with our sister-in-law who had breast cancer 19 yrs. ago, she reasured me that there are a lot of glands in the area they removed 17 of hers along with the breast. Holly is blessed to have an aunt that can encourage her along the way. We are praying for the tumor to be a fatty tumor. Please continue to pray for Holly. Here is her email and address to send her notes of encouragement I can't begin to tell you how much it means to them. drholly245@aol.com 1211 E Pine Fort Scott, KS 66701

It breaks my heart that they have had such a struggle. Chuck's back, the loss of his job and now this new health threat to Holly. I can say that they have a spirit of acceptance and knowledge that God will be with them through anything. Just living in a 500 sq foot guest house for over a year is amazing to me. Chuck is now preaching on Sunday for a small congregation in Nevada, MO which is a blessing and Chuck will only grow from the study and each time he preaches will only enhance his abilities to do so. We appreciate the members there for having Chuck. Financially it is a blessing also.

My flight back to KS is on the 16th the Tues. that Holly has her surgery. I know her mom & dad will try to be there. So maybe Grandpa can bring the girls with him to pick Grandma up at the airport. That will also give Holly's parents time to spend with their daughter. We will see. Please continue to pray for our family as we all go through this with Holly & Chuck, that we can each be a strength and comfort to them all.

Love & Prayers

Deb Griffin AKA: Mom & Grandma Always remember:
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. God has been with you before difficult moments He will then continue on & bring you through trials Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God. "Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave the rest to God."