Bryan

Howdy. My brother Steve passed away last Thursday, September 29th around noon after a 16 month battle with brain cancer. His funeral was Saturday October 1, 2005. He had been walking and talking quite well up until a few weeks ago, but was beginning to have trouble gettting up from sitting. His last MRI came back with a 50% growth in the tumor and the doctors at Emory Hospital in Atlanta told him there was nothing more they could do. The doctors said he has about another 2 months, but the hospice nurses feared that he would not pass that quickly, and would be in very sad shape for months until finally dying. Thankfully he was spared that lingering helplessness. Although I did not quite make it to see him before he died, he was surrounded by family and friends at his passing. His faith remained strong, and although it was not a journey of his choosing, he was thankful to the Lord through it all. I thank you all for your prayers in his regard. His wife Sara, and children Summer and Stephen, as well as step-children Lisa and Shirley can still benefit from your prayers. (I don't remember Lisa and Shirley's last names, but the rest have the last name of Black.) Thanks Bryan

I just received this email from my neice who is keeping the family email network up and running while her parents (my oldest brother and his wife) are gone to Atlanta to be with the family during the surgery. Heard another update on Steve. He is awake, and can see and speak just fine. He recognizes everyone and that is the great news. They asked the doctor how long we were looking at time wise and the doctor said we are looking at possibly 8 months, it would be 4 months without this treatment (they implanted chemo disc in his brain during surgery). So that was a little shocking to everyone. But, they are happy that the doctor is straight forward with them. Although...mom did ask did he figure in the prayers that were being lifted up and he said well, no and that will affect the outcome. Soooo keep up the prayers, we know we are already so blessed that Steve has lived this long with the disease and his acceptance and strength as well as Sara's has been such a blessing to everyone around them and we also are aware that the ultimate healing is death and a life in heaven but our humanness just doesn't want to let go of him and we KNOW the power of prayer. God is so faithful! (bryan again) Thanks so much for your prayers!

Howdy Y'all! My brother, Steve Black will be having brain surgery on Monday June 6, 2005. He had a seizure a little over a year ago and the first brain surgury about a year ago. He responded well last time and also responded well to the drugs (timidar?) for a while, but then the tumor started growing again. They are going in to put some poison directly on the tumor. I ask for your prayers that he will be healed with minimal impact to his cognitive abilities and personality. I also ask your prayers for Sara his wife, and the rest of the family. Thanks!