Rich called to say that a CT scan was done on Lisa and confirmed that she had a siezure. Besides that it does not seem to show that the tumor has significantly enlarged or regrown. This is good news, though it does not answer the cause of the seizure.

They have not yet decided if she'll remain in the hospital over night or not.

Lisa was rather frightened by the episode, so please pray for her peace of mind so she can get a decent night's sleep.

Pray also for the Fox family as they are scheduled to be flying to Texas later in the week to visit some of Lisa's family members.

Under the Mercy,
Del  

I just got a call from Rich saying that Lisa had to be taken to the hospital. It looks like, after a long hiatus, she has had another seizure. I don't have any more info right now, but will update you all as soon as I do.

Please pray for Lisa. She has been neither improving nor getting worse for a long time. We have continued to pray that the tumor in her head would disappear, and that she would be healed and restored to her family in full health. Please continue to pray now, as with God all things are possible.

Under the Mercy,
Del  

PS. I feel compelled to share this verse from the hymn
"Amazing Grace":

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come
His grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

Today the Fox family celebrated the birthdays of Ethan and Blake. Rich had prayed for good weather and God answered: first with a couple of hours of sun shine and then with a soothing rain.

The house and the yard was filled with little kids all atwitter with excitement, and Lisa was up and at 'em as well. It was a deep joy to see her and the kids all celebrating and surrounded with friends and family who've been such a support for so long.

Today in church, my pastor mentioned his interest in the topic of healing, and prayer for healing. As I "listened between the lines" and reflected on our ongoing prayers for Lisa, I realized an important truth: joining in this ministry of prayer for Lisa's health has, in many subtle, but deep ways, brought about healing in my own life.

And I'm certain it has for others too, since I've already heard many of you remark the same type of thing: getting our eyes off of our own problems (which are all too real, and often overwhelming) to see that we're not alone in our pain, and that even in pain, we can find strength in Christ, and then be used as an effective tool of mercy to others who are suffering.

By stepping outside of our own suffering we're turning both our suffering, and the suffering of those we try to care for, into reasons to love. Into acts of Love.

The pains that color our lives and break us like so much shattered glass, instead of ending up on a rubbish heap, wind up interlocked, pieced together and then suspended with the Light of God shining through as if we are all one great stained glass window in some magnificent human cathedral.

Rumors of Glory indeed!

Well, all I mean to say, is thanks to each one of you for continuing to join in the effort of prayer on behalf of Lisa Fox and her family, especially in light of the fact that each of you face your own very real issues of suffering and pain each day.

Under the Mercy,
Del  

"It's time for the singers of songs without hope, to take a hard look and start from scratch again!"
-Bruce Cockburn

Over 22 years ago Rich briefly loaned to me the album with the song that contained that lyric. I haven't gotten to hear that record since 1983, but I've never forgotten those words. For the last 2 1/2 years in particular, they have been running through my mind frequently as I have watched Rich live like a Singer of Songs of Great HOPE! He has been an inspiration to me ever since I met him, but never more so than these last couple of years.

And you and I are the backup singers to that Song of Hope. Thank you for lending your voice and knees to this long, even wearying, but beautiful effort. Let’s not falter now. Let us continue to sing with Rich, praying in Hope that may yet be fulfilled, that Lisa will be healed and restored to full health! All things are possible…

Here’s the latest on Lisa: Because she has now been off of certain meds for a while, she is much less tired and lethargic. She is exercising, and has been getting out to rehab at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Rich even took her out to go shopping the other day! But the effects of the surgery and meds have still taken a toll on her brain, and she still is confused most of the time. Also, since the recent MRI has shown that the tumor has remained dormant, perhaps even shrunk a little, Rich is considering getting a fresh opinion on her condition and researching the latest techniques in dealing with this kind of tumor.

Please continue to pray for healing. Pray also for Rich to be guided with wisdom as he seeks out and considers fresh opinions for treatment. And continue to pray for his health and the health of the Fox children as they continue to live under such great stress.

Under the Mercy,
Del  

Sorry for the delay, we've been out of town since Wednesday...

Regarding the MRI done on Wednesday, Rich emailed me saying: "MRI looks the same, if not better! It is still 5.5 cm. Thanks for your prayers. More later. Love, Rich."

Thanks for continuing to carry on in this effort of intercession for Lisa, Rich and the Fox Family. Please continue to pray for Lisa's healing: that God would even now, miraculously eradicate the tumor in her brain.

Under the Mercy,
Del  

Lisa is having an MRI done today to check up on the tumor: to see if it has grown, diminished or remained static.

Please pray that it is GONE!

Join with us in consistent intercession in asking God to miraculously heal Lisa, and restore her to full health, for her family.

Under the Mercy,
Del  

Sorry for the long silence. There has not been a lot of change for Lisa over the last few weeks, so I have not sent any notes out. But many of you have emailed asking for info. Thank you for continuing to keep her in your hearts and prayer.

Lisa is still on meds that keep her pretty tired, so she sleeps quite a bit. She'll be going off of antibiotics soon. She is lucid, and her memory has not further deteriorated, which is very good news.

Rich is working hard both on the job, and around the house. Fortunately he is able to have a schedule that permits him to spend lots of time at home with Lisa and the kids.

Melanie, the nanny that has been with the Fox family for a while now, will be leaving soon for graduate school. Rich asks that we pray for guidance as he searches for a new nanny to work about 30hrs per week. Melanie has worked out wonderfully, so finding another like her will be very difficult.

Continue to pray for the kids as well. Their version of a day-to-day life is filled with more obvious uncertainties than any of us regularly face. Pray for God's comfort in their lives, and that He would bring them through this extended time of stress with strength and grace.

Please continue to pray for Lisa and a miraculous healing. Even now God can answer that prayer positively!

Under the Mercy,
Del  

I just got this email from Rich, and wanted you all to share in a tremendous joy with him:

----- Rich Fox wrote: -----

Hey, I just prayed with Lisa. She did all the praying. About 5 minutes. First time since December she verbally prayed.

Thank you God.

Today I am blessed with the bride of Jesus: God's Church... 50 people from 8 different churches blessed us with fellowship (many who have been God's hands and feet for us these last few years), spent the morning celebrating Sierra's second birthday. She is the same baby that the doctors said would never see day 8!

Today, I am filled.

----- end message -----

It was a blast of a party, and Rich's news is a wonderful bit of icing on the cake! (which was delicious, by the way...)

I also wanted to give you all a brief update on the medicine and cost situation that I emailed about a few days ago. On Thursday I asked you to pray about the $5,000 price tag on the new meds for Lisa, and by the next day God had provided an resounding answer! The med's will be ALMOST completely subsidized. Unfortunately, Rich still has a copay responsibility.
He will have to pony up a total of...

$5. Thank you God, again!!!

Well, we have much to be thankful for, and I hope these tidbits give you as much joy and hope as they do for me.

Under the Mercy,
Del  

Lisa's MRI review yesterday showed that there has been no significant worsening of her tumor, nor any significant improvement. Furthermore, they are considering a new drug therapy, and the removal of her pic lines. These are possibly good developments, but the meds are a challenge since they are exceptionaly expensive, and may not be subsidized! Without subsidy, the out-of-pocket expense will be $5,000!

Please pray for Lisa. Pray that the tumore will be miraculously eradicated, and that her memory and health will be regifted to her from God. Impossible as it may seem, I refuse to give up hope yet!!! Pray that any new meds would have good success.

Pray also for Rich and the growing pressures of medical/medicine costs, and of caring for Lisa, their five kids, and Lisa's mother, Rose.

Under the Mercy,
Del  

Tomorrow Lisa and Rich will go to the hospital for another consultation on reviewing recent MRIs. Please pray that there are positive reports...

Rich would also like to invite everyone to an open house on Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day) to celebrate Sierra's birthday, from 10am to 2pm. If you can drop by please do. Please RSVP to me by Friday if you can attend, and I'll inform Rich of the numbers.

Under the Mercy,
Del