Personal Update (No Lab Results Yet)

Got to spend some time with Eddie & Carol today. (He came out & watched a bit of Upward Flag Football.)

First, still no lab results. So...R.O.N. *smile*

Eddie looks good and he and Carol are doing well in terms of his spirits & attitude. He said that he greatly appreciates the prayers, the emails, and the comments left here. You are making a difference! Eddie said that God has been incredible to him these past couple of weeks. I attribute that in part to your prayers, so thanks!

A passage from Zephaniah 3 that Eddie said has ministered greatly to him this week:

16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
17 The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

Keep praying! And thanks!

Tonight's report consists of...

*sound of crickets chirping*

Still no news that I'm aware of.

R.O.N.!!

Stay prayerful!
Mike

R.O.N.

I have an acquaintance who was a long-range recon Green Beret in Vietnam. While out on patrol, they'd check in, and they always hated to hear this phrase: "R.O.N" Short radio code for "Remain overnight". Meaning, no change, keep doing the same thing, stay on the line for another night.

So, prayer warriors, the "update" is, R.O.N. No change. No word from the lab. Please keep praying for Eddie & Carol's patience.

(and for the labwork to get done. Quickly. Accurately.)

Here's hoping that there's an actual news-filled update tomorrow. Until then, R.O.N. And keep praying.

MM

No news yet

Just a quick (non)update...

No word from the lab yet. Please pray for Eddie & Carol's patience. And pray for the lab to get this done quickly. And accurately.

*sigh*

This is the big week...

Sometime in the next couple of days, Eddie & Carol will find out (a) what exactly the tumor is, and (b) what the treatment will entail.

Please pray for peace and patience for the Bakers this week. The trial by medical ordeal continues...But Jehovah Shammah--God Who Is Present--is, well, present. Which is an incredible reality!

Thanks much for mentioning Eddie before the throne!
MM

Note: Please be sensitive to the fact that talking on the phone is almost as tiring as having visitors.

(Believe me, I can't wait to catch up with Eddie and hear all that God's teaching him and discuss football and parenting and such. I was just up at Eddie's alma mater over the weekend...)

But that will all keep until later!

Right now, his focus needs to be on his own situation and the badly-needed rest & healing.

He and Carol do not need to be worried about, well, me or my thoughts nor anyone else's. (note: again, this is Mike speaking, not Eddie & Carol)

Hurry Up & Wait...But Not from the Hospital Any More!!

While Eddie & Carol still have not heard the results of the pathology from the biopsy, there is some good news to report. It appears that they'll be able to leave the hospital this afternoon! Word is that Eddie's spirits are as good as they've been since this whole ordeal began. God is good!

Please continue to pray. Waiting for very serious medical lab results is...not fun at all. Know that your prayers are being felt by Eddie, Carol, & and the boys. (I had a very nice lunch with Andy Thursday, btw.)

In terms of ministry, I might suggest a couple of things. First, while their spirits are great and they're glad to be back home, please remember that Eddie is recovering from a surgical procedure on his head. Remember also that he's awaiting the most significant lab results of his entire life. So carefully consider that visits are tiring for Eddie & Carol. (Example: if only 5% of Temple Baptist members dropped by this week, that's over 200 people...probably a bit much!)

Second, in terms of hands-on ministry, food is probably the best plan for now. I anticipate that food will be coordinated from church to cut down on all of us dropping by. More later...

Please note that the comments about visiting here are Mike's...not Eddie & Carol's. Consider them as suggestions on how to guard Eddie's surgery recovery and how to help him prepare for whatever treatment plan lies ahead.

Thanks so much for your prayers and ministry in the lives of these who minister to so many others.

Not much to report...but prayer still needed

Still no word yet on the lab results. However, the good news is that Eddie is now back in a regular room & out of intensive care. Word is that both he and Carol are hoping to rest today & tomorrow.

Thus, my personal prayers for today:
--That God would grant deep, restful sleep to both of them
--Relatedly, that He would grant peace that passes understanding to their souls & minds during these uncertain days.
--Of course, I continue to pray for clear & conclusive results and a clear treatment protocol.

As soon as more is known, it'll show up here. Thanks so much for holding the Bakers up before the throne! God is good!

MM

TODAY'S A BIG DAY...

Please pray today. The surgeon does the biopsy.

My personal prayer is for a conclusive and accurate result, plus freedom from pain for Eddie following the procedure.

God is able!

**UPDATE (11:00 A.M.)**
Just got word from Jackson that Eddie came through the biopsy surgery fine & is now in recovery. The lab results are the next big hurdle; perhaps as late as early next week. Early indications suggest lymphoma, which is considered a very treatable cancer.

Please keep praying! And thanks for doing so!
MM

So...what's all this about?

About Eddie Baker:
He has served as Recreation Pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg since July, 2000. Eddie has been married to Carol for over 20 years; they met in seminary in Ft. Worth. They have three sons, Austin, Andy, & Ben. Austin & Ben are students at Carson-Newman in Tennessee, and Andy is a student at William Carey here in H'burg.
Eddie graduated from the University of Mississippi and from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

About the medical situation:
At the beginning of the summer, Eddie began having dizzy spells. After trying to hang in there for a while & then multiple Dr. visits, he wound up in Jackson for an MRI around his ear. That was negative, but the radiologist noticed a shadow out on the edge of the MRI that concerned him. Another MRI revealed a small tumor on his brain. Additional testing this week found other lesions (not tumors), though a P.E.T. scan & a spinal tap indicated no additional growth in other parts of his body. It is not yet known what the nature of the tumor is, nor what the cause of the other lesions is, but the oncologist remains very optimistic in her prognosis.

What now?
A surgeon will perform a biopsy tomorrow (Thursday, 9/19) in Jackson, and the results of that will indicate what the further treatment will be.

How are they?
Eddie & Carol are in Jackson at St. Dominic's. (Note: visitors are greatly appreciated, but be aware that visitors do add stress & have a tendency to tire the Bakers out.) Their attitude is good and upbeat, all things considered.

How to pray?
Short answer: as the Holy Spirit leads you.
Longer answer:
--for healing
--for peace for all 5 Bakers, plus Eddie's parents & brothers (Carol works at Wm Carey, Andy works at Ashley's Furniture, and Austin & Ben are 8 hours away...)
--for clear, decisive results from the biopsy
--for wisdom for the oncologist & other physicians involved
--generally, for God to be magnified through this situation

THANKS for your prayers on behalf of this choice servant of God & of his family!