After leaving MDA Thursday, we were secure in our direction for the clinical trial. If only all parties had been on board, we might have avoided another emotional roller coaster. I received an email Monday morning from the study coordinator with news that our insurance company had approved Maggie’s participation (and agreed to pay for all standard of care charges associated with the study). Monday afternoon I received a phone call from her with the unsettling news that Maggie’s spot had been given to a person at another trial site (not MDA) by the sponsor (aka, drug company). This news came like a punch in the gut, quite honestly. She did say Dr. Raghav was going to speak with the sponsors and request an additional spot since this one had been the last one available. Hope? We didn’t feel it much. We prayed, cried some, and mentally unpacked the plans we had been loading into imaginary boxes. In desperation I went back to the clinical trial website (a list of all current and future trials with contact information). A few sounded good. None were as close as MDA. We went to bed with a cloud of uncertainty over our next steps.
Tuesday at 2:16 pm I received a call from the coordinator with the incredible news that Dr. Raghav had requested the slot for a Maggie and the sponsor granted it. We are in. God moves to protect us even when our faith is paltry.
I’ve spent the greater part of the week making our plans. We plan to depart Monday for Houston. Tuesday we meet with Dr. Raghav’s team to discuss the trial schedule and requirements, and sign the consent. Maggie will also have labs, and we meet with the IR team to discuss the initial biopsy (a prerequisite of the study). Wednesday morning she will undergo a needle biopsy in Interventional Radiology. Thursday will be a day off – can you say picnic in the park? The initial infusion will be Friday morning. We will be required to stay close overnight and have more blood drawn before returning to the ‘Burg Saturday. A full week but we’re not complaining.
I want to be clear. Our hope – though temporarily tethered to the promising science of immunotherapy – is eternally fixed in the work of Christ. We find ourselves “out of sorts” by disappointments, but we are never crushed by them. What a promise we have in this scripture:
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. We are pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Cor. 4:6-10
These jars of clay will be on the road for the foreseeable future. Our prayer is to carry around the hope of Christ wherever He allows us to be. We are committed to placing Maggie in position for the best treatment for her cancer and to leaving her in the Hands of God for her care. Thank you for your continuing prayers. We’ll keep the updates coming.
So thankful that everything fell into place after such disappointing news at first. Prayers that all will go smoothly for y’all and that Maggie will do well. Thank you for the reminder that we are all jars of clay in the hands of God.
Prayers for safe travel. Prayers continue for Maggie and y’all ❤️????????
Thankful for the way God is taking care of the details. Thankful for your testimony and sharing all that He is doing. Praying for a week free of complications and filled with hope for a cure. Much love for all of you.
2 Cor. 4:6-10 was and is one of our favorite verses. Continuing to keep all of you in our prayers.????
Praying God continues to be so real to y’all.
Praying for Maggie and y’all…..thank you, Melissa for the updates.
THANKFUL THAT EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE! PRAYERS THAT THIS TRIAL WILL BRING COMPLETE HEALING TO MAGGIE AND OTHERS THAT ARE IN THE TRIAL. PRAYERS FOR PEACE AND COMFORT.
Oh the Hands of God…..no greater place to be!!! Thank you God for your provision and for granting this prayer!!!! Much love and many prayers continue from The Mills Fam????????
God Continues to order the steps of maggie’s Healing journey, to God Be ALL the Glory!! God Bless You All, continued fervent prayers!❤️????????
Thanking God for his provision! By his stripes we are healed!! ????????????????????
Continuing to pray.
Thank you for sharing your journey. Your updates always minister and encourage me of God’s unwavering grace and mercy. Keep the faith my friends. Lots of love and hugs sent your way!
Praying …. God Bless!!!
Prayers for all of you! ❤️????????❤️????????
Still praying in Pontotoc. Am encouraged by yoùr family’s faith in the throes of this war. Stay the course. God is right there with you. ????
I’m constantly amazed at your strength and faith in the face of such continuous battles. You share your struggles with an amazing honesty, the good and the bad, the doubts, the pain, the hope, it’s all bared. I pray for you, for God’s will, but if I can also every do ANYTHING at all to help, please let me know. Sometimes, the rest of us feel helpless. Praying is good, but doing SOMETHING, even if it’s cooking a meal, mowing the lawn, meeting some need that you may have to give you comfort. Please let me know if I can DO anything.
Praying for all of you. Also praying for the doctors and nurses taking care of Maggie!!!
Was wondering and praying about all of you on Friday, glad to hear more good news about MDA. Work now ,rest later! Hang in there, Jesus never quits! Prayers for all of you.
Wow what a week you have had. But you are assured that God IS in control and taking care of you. Praise the Lord. Prayers continue.
Thank God -He has a plan. Praying All goes well with testing and preparation for trials.
Thank you for the post full of God’s perfect promises.
Praying still ❤️????????❤️
Praise God!! So thankful y’all are in the trial. Praying for safe travel and treatment.
Praying for all of you.