March 6, 2008

Prayer for Dr. Cook

Dr. Cook had his weekly appointment yesterday with his oncologist. The doctor performed a bone marrow biopsy, and it will be several weeks before the lab report is complete. The biopsy will be sent off to another laboratory not located at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. We will let you know about this later when the results come back. These results will determine if Dr. Cook has gone into remission or if he will need more treatment. We would greatly appreciate your prayers in regard to this.

Dr. Cook is also asking for all of you who read this to pray for his white blood cells to return to normal. About 12 days ago, they were at 1.8, and then 7 days ago, they were at 2.3. However, when he returned to the doctor yesterday, they had moved back to 1.9. These white blood cells, which relate to the immunity system, really need to move up to the normal range, which is 4.5-11.0. As you will remember, during the chemotherapy treatments, they became as low as 0.4. Dr. Cook would appreciate it if you would ask the Lord to return him to good health again, and in particular if you could pray for the white blood cells to return to the normal range.

Dr. Cook said that the verses that are helping him right now are found in Philippians 4:6-7 and Isaiah 41:10.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

(These words from the prophet Isaiah are also found in the Hymn, “How Firm a Foundation,” which has been a great comfort to Dr. Cook these past several months.)