Why the Ministry
Cara Thomas,
is one of our grandchildren. She graduated from high school in 2005.
Her activities were like those of many students her age.She was a member of the high school choral group and her church choir, and she was in leadership positions in her class.
In addition, she worked part time at a retirement center in town. She was awarded an opportunity to participate in a leadership seminar at Harvard during her senior year. She is a very active and normal young lady. She attended Huntington College in Indiana.
However, in 1996, at age nine, Cara's life changed drastically.She and her family listened as the doctor advised them; that Cara had leukemia ,and would have to begin chemotherapy immediately. Obviously, the news tore at the hearts of the entire family.
We began calling people asking them to pray for her. I began to realize the reality and importance of intercessory prayer! I called our friends, John and Rita Ream in Florida. Being a Prayer Warrior, she immediately agreed to stand with us. She called on her Prayer Team to pray.
Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin TX, Alta Vista Baptist Church, Pasadena TX, First Baptist Church Ellisville MO, and Mt Pleasant Baptist Church, Franklin IN., promised to pray with us.
The computer helped us to communicate her immediate condition and these people prayed as information was received. The number continued to grow over the months. People we did not know notified us that they would join in prayer with us.
What an awesome God we serve!
I wish I had the space and had the time to share the many times we saw God answering in ways the doctors and nurses had not expected. "It has to be a miracle!" soon became a repeated statement.
You see, today you would not know what Cara has gone through, but she looks at life completely different than most of us. She cherishes every day and is determined to accomplish every challenge and opportunity that comes her way.
Someone Is Praying Prayer Ministry, an email prayer ministry, has grown since that time to over 400 Partners in Prayer, worldwide, who have committed to pray for the requests regularly. Each day, it seems, we all see God at work in His world and in the lives of His people. That's exciting! We are now utilizing the website to communicate prayer requests to our Partners in Prayer.
Yes, we continue to thank God for Cara, the blessings, and joy that she brings to every life she touches. I often wonder what ministry our Lord is preparing her for. Whatever it may be, she will make an impact on lives because she understand life and living better than most of us. She knows and loves her Savior, Jesus Christ!
You may take a look at Cara's complete Journey at
www.caringbridge.org/visit/carathomas.
Or see a recap below
| 01/14/2012 The past two days were long and didn't go quite as smoothly as planned... We reviewed the pathology reports with my surgeon yesterday which raised some questions about the completeness of my surgery because much of the specimen removed from my left side was not thyroid tissue, but thymus tissue. This tissue did in fact have thyroid cancer cells, so it did need to come out, but this caused my surgeon to question if in fact he removed all of my thyroid gland. I had an ultrasound following my appointment which found some tissue in the left side, however there is no way to know with just ultrasound if it was thyroid tissue or scar tissue. Obviously, this was unexpected and we had thought the visit with my surgeon was going to be a short "Wow you look wonderful visit!" Right now there are just lots of stuff we don't know. One point my oncologist Dr. Ain raised was that most people who have been through total body radiation and a bone marrow transplant no longer have a thymus gland, which raises more questions to the accuracy of the pathology of the tumor specimens. Dr. Valentino said he plans to go over the pathology report with another pathologist and the ultrasound with other drs. and get back to us next week. I also had voice therapy yesterday, as my voice continues to be weak. This included a scope of my vocal cords to see how they are currently functioning when I breathe/speak. I guess my right vocal cord is slow to react and my vocal cords don't close completely. There were many tests/exercises they had me do, many of which were difficult on me emotionally because my "singing voice" doesn't sound like me. However, Dr. Valentino was pleased at how well they were functioning just three weeks post surgery and believes it should continue recover. Praise God. I met with Dr. Ain on Thursday who laid out a plan for my next treatments with the prep beginning on Sunday with me changing my medicine. So clearly, we need to get these questions sorted out and determine how this will impact my upcoming treatment which is scheduled for late February but takes a six week prep of my body. Please pray for wisdom for my Drs. as they try to make sense of this confusing information and for my family and me as we play the waiting game. God is good all the time...and all the time God is good. Cara Thomas - Cara will be meeting again with doctors in Lexington Ky for details on surgery she will be having on her Thyroid Cancer. Continue to pray that the doctors will know what to do. 12/28/2011
Cara had surgery and the report was good. Cara was talking and doing well almost immediately after her surgery.
Her church asked her to speak about her surgery and she blessed all that heard her story.
Cara will be meeting with her doctors on December1, They will be making a decision on what treatment they are
to take for Cara's Thyroid cancer. Please continue to pray for Cara as she waits for the news on which direction
her treatment will take. Thank you everyone who has prayed. I know many of you have been waiting for an update.
We received word last evening concerning the results of Cara'stests....
Cara advised us that her thyroid and cancer condition remains as it was after her last surgery. Her doctor said that they would study the results and call her back
with their recommendation for treatment.
Cara Thomas (Indiana) is asking for prayer as she will be having tests performed Thursday to determine what is needed and can be done regarding her health and the
thyroid issues. Your prayer is greatly appreciated.
Cara is scheduled to have two shots, one on April 20 and one on April 21. That will be done on outpatient basis. Then on April 22 she will enter the hospital and take
a pill. We don't know how long she will be there but they will monitor her and then she goes home and will be in isolation for a period of time. She was told that in
6 months they would perform tests to determine the results of the treatment. Diagnosed with cancer of thyroid; recently had surgery to remove the tumor and thyroid; could only remove half of the thyroid and
tumor since the tumor had attached itself to a nerve related to her vocal chords. Awaiting doctor's report and course of treatment to remove the remaining tumor and
thyroid. Cara completes her graduate studies in May a Masters in Social Work. Daughter of Tim and Lori Thomas. Grandparents: Carl and Jan Stephan - MO |
Remember, God is in the prayer answering business
Carl Stephan, Grandfather and Founder.
WHY THE MINISTRY BEGAN
Jesus is the Only Way !
He is the Straight Way !
Jesus said:
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one gains
access to the Father but through me."
John 14:6
