Today's post is going up for one reason: to ask you to pray your guts out for a friend who my long-time readers may remember. First are links to the back-story, and then I'll give you a peek into my Facebook inbox at a conversation between his Mom and I last week…
- This post has my last Jacob Stieler update from 2016: It's cancer, please pray. Here's an excerpt: “My long-time readers will remember praying like crazy for Jacob, he's in 9th grade now, but was first diagnosed with cancer back in 2011. As if having a child with cancer wasn't bad enough, their family ended up in a horrific court battle over parental rights with the hospital. (And then even beyond their original parental rights issue, which you can read all about in my past posts on their ordeal, they found out later that the hospital may have had him in a clinical trial without their consent!) This hospital happens to be right here where we live in West Michigan. The family has been through quite a lot, but they thought it was all behind them…” Read the rest of that post: It's cancer, please pray.
- This post has a 2012 update with links to my previous posts: I hate cancer.
Here's our recent Facebook conversation:
Kelly:
Hi Erin, I just saw your post today about the first day of school (I’m super sporadic at checking my personal Facebook page) and then searched and searched and can’t find what’s going on with Jacob. Is he sick again??
Erin:
Hi Kelly! Yes, unfortunately. He relapsed again in September. They (his oncologist in Green Bay) told us then that they ran out of any “curable” options and told Jacob to his face that the cancer would take his life. 😡 The beginning of November he became paralyzed, chest down, from it being in his spine again. We worked with an integrative doctor in Milwaukee and did the Greece test too. They started the chemo that showed best results on the test and we even went to Mexico for 3 weeks for that chemo/hyperthermia. Testing in January showed everything worse, so they stopped treatment. They gave him 2-3 months. We continued locally with Ozone Therapy twice a week and IVC w/Artesunate twice a week through the beginning of June, but it got to be too much for Jacob as he started having horrible headaches in April. Probably due to spreading to the brain. The end of July we finally had to call in hospice for pain control because it was too much for us to control on our own. He is so tired and getting weaker, but he is positive and believing God will heal him. We continue to stand on His promises knowing that nothing is impossible with God!! There is never a point that is too far gone for Him to fix! 😉
Kelly:
Oh Erin, I am so so sad to hear this. Obviously I will NOT even consider this unless you're okay with it, but so many of my readers prayed so much for you guys, would you be okay with me giving them an update and asking for more prayers? And by the way, that shows what they know about Jacob & how tough he is, they gave him “2-3 months” in January!
Erin:
Hi Kelly! Yes, I’m ok with you writing something. I believe in the power of prayer and I believe that God is bigger than all of this. He sets our timeline. Not man. There is power in the Name of Jesus!! Amen? 😉 So, happy writing!
Kelly:
Absolutely AMEN!! Okay, and big hugs to you all!!
So there it is, an invitation to storm the heavens with us.
If you're praying, please comment below so Jacob and his family know they're being lifted up. Thank you! If any of you are hurting too, due to whatever rotten circumstance life has thrown your way, you may also comment below and we can add you to our prayers. xoxo
More you might like:
- The Truth About Cancer Series will be up again soon to watch for free. Click here to get notified before it begins.
- Again, you may want to check out the back-story here: This post has my last update from 2016: It's cancer, please pray. And this post has a 2012 update with links to my previous posts there: I hate cancer.
Christy Fitzpatrick says
Praying for Jacob and Erin and their family. Praying the Lord will give them a miracle this side of Heaven, but if his answer is no, I pray that the Lord will allow them to have beautiful days that are as painfree as possible, that are full of memory making moments (whether that’s them just sitting on the porch holding hands, watching their kids play in the yard, going for a family walk, having precious family pictures taken with lots of laughter, or playing a board game.
Thankful we have a Savior who cares about each of us, and loves us and gives us the promise of eternity.
Geri C says
Praying for Jacob and his family!
Megan says
I well remember praying for Jacob back then and will be again.
Sarah says
God i lift up Jacob to you oh Lord God our healer. Surround him with your peace, mat he be strong in you lord & in the power of your might. Thank you God that you hear every one of our prayers in the mighty name of Jesus the name above all names, amen
Jamie says
Praying for him and all of you!
Jen says
Prayers for his cure and your family’s strength!!!❤
Lisa Suidgeest says
Praying very hard!
Meliss says
Prayers lifted through Mary to Jesus. Mary, you know Jacob’s mother’s heart. Please intercede on Erin’s behalf to your beloved son, Jesus. Please pray for Jacob and his family ❤️
Karibeth says
Praying. ❤️
Jenlin says
Praying in Wisconsin
Bless you all
Kat says
Praying for this brave boy and his family. 🙏🙏
Jackie Graham says
Keeping Jacob and his family in prayers for healing and strength
Liz says
Praying from Queen Creek, AZ
Gertrude says
Praying for Jacob and Family from BC, Canada.
Praying for all who are fighting the Cancer Battle.
Love to all, may they feel the comforting arms of Jesus.
So sorry to hear that this family has had to face so many obstacles in getting care for Jacob. Blessings to all.
Nanc says
Lifting all of you to Our Heavenly Physician who is ALL POWERFUL and compassionate!!!! May He bring complete healing to you!
🛐 The Mick family
Karla Horvath says
Praying for Jacob and his family 🙏🏻
Mary Pat says
Praying for the family from Va.
Penny says
Praying for Jacob and family!
MARILYN DAUGHERTY says
My dear, dear comrades in Christ…trusting, praying, believing, fighting the good fight to whatever future He allows. Oh, how my heart breaks for the pain you are all going thru at the same time as having peace that passeth all understanding because you are trusting our mighty, awesome God. I will keep you in my prayers pleading with God to allow Jacob to be healed and for the whole family to be able to enjoy him for many more years. Love thru Him.
Kim says
We will keep Jacob and his family in our prayers.
Peggy says
Praying for Jacob’S healing and this dear family’s comfort through this. I can’t imagine how difficult this is.
Donna Smeal says
Mighty spirit of God, visit this precious young man, speak to his heart and mind. May Your Peace that passes all understanding be the covering for this entire family. I ask, oh Lord, give Your Divine Wisdom and direction for each moment while this family cares for each other. Asking for your outstanding miracles to be poured out on Jacob’s earthly body, to the bafflement of those unbelieving souls here on earth! Glory to God and His Love abound to Jacob and his family as they trek this journey. Your Victory, oh God, over cancer, In Jesus Precious, Loving and Victorious Name! Amen.
Barbara says
I will pray. 🙏 Please keep us posted. Blessing to him 💕
Joyce says
Sioux City, Iowa sending prayers for healing, strength and God’s peace.
JUDY says
Prayers for Jacob and his family. God is good, and stay strong in your faith. I pray that God will heal you of you cancer forever. Amen
Linda says
My eyes are full of tears as I read all this family has been through . I pray for this family and this precious young man.
Nancy Cook says
My next rosary for Jacob and family.
Mary says
Sending prayers your way! From Marthasville, MO
Jenny says
Praying.
Amy says
When one suffers, we all suffer. When you can’t pray, know that We are praying for and with you. Such a piercing of the heart.
May God grant you all the graces that He gave Mother Mary at the foot of the cross.
Uniting in prayer and sacrifice. Dear Jesus, bring peace and greater trust and full healing.
Susan says
Prayers for sweet Jacob and his amazing family!! Thinking of you all from Pennsylvania.
Mary says
Will offer my rosary tonight for Jacob.
Stephanie says
I am so sad to hear this. My heart breaks for everything this precious family has been thru. Please know how sorry we are your family is struggling with cancer again. We serve a mighty God. Please know each of you are in our thoughts and prayers. We ask Our Father for healing, comfort and peace. May God bless you and keep you always. Sending hugs from Southeast Texas.
Stephanie
Annmarie Mastro says
So sorry to hear about Jacob. I will be praying for him & his family! ❤️😇.
Heather M Pelletier says
This brought me to tears thinking what this poor family is going through. I, too, was diagnosed with cancer but was able to fight and was diagnosed 2/19/17 as officially cancer free. I do worry everyday (albeit slightly) that it may return elsewhere but I do my best to remain positive and not let it get me down.
Jacob, honey, keep fighting and keep believing with all your heart. To Erin & family, my heart and prayers are with you.
Meredith says
Praying for you Jacob. I know God is with you and your family. Surrender to Jesus, He will take care of everything.
Tiffany says
Oh I’m so sorry to hear this :(. Praying for them all 🙏
Amy says
I just prayed for Jacob and his family from San Diego. May God heal him and give all of the family peace.
Rhoda says
Praying for Jacob.
Gwendolyn Karan says
Prayers Prayers Prayers 🙏Blessings and Love❤
Samantha Jacokes says
So sorry for this poor boy and his family. Thinking about him from Milford, MI. 🙏
Gail says
Praying!