Good Morning!!!  The Esther homecoming was  just wonderful.  Banners, balloons, flowers, frig full of food and a clean house and car was amazing.  If you know the Esther house hold this was truly  a treat and blessing.  Every card, email, phone call, dinner, flower, plant, cookie, house cleaning angel has not gone unnoticed.  Every act of kindness has been a blessing on this journey.  I believe you are all a part of Gods army of angels that are going before us to clear our path!!!

John's recovery is miraculous as many of you have witness.  We are walking 2 miles daily,  he has been floating, and out with some cowboys in a covered wagon!!  He is ready for the next hurdle in this battle.  We are heading to Barnes Tues the 29th to get our plan for chemo and radiation.  We are also heading to Duke for a visit with Dr. Friedman to get his opinion on possible clinical trails. 

We continue to ask for prayer: God would give us the perfect strategy for chemo and radiation, favor with care givers, clarity on decision making,  uncomplicated treatment that will not be interrupted,  protection over our children during this time, and  that we will continue to have the peace that surpasses all understanding.

I continue to ask God to bless everyone of you abundantly!!

John's #1 nurse.

Carol

For their homecoming...

WELCOME HOME JOHN AND CAROL!!! At this time , they need space, and time to recover. Call, write, text, email...all are great! No visits for a while, until they are ready! THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING!!!

Well the staff thought not so fast John Esther!! Just another couple of nights. John spiked a fever that they think maybe from the Dilantin. However, Antibiotics and cultures started just to cover all bases!! We are doing great. John is still speed walking and making friends on the way. Kids are doing great thanks to friends annd family!! We are still on target for our homecoming tues after consultation with the best of the best @ M D Anderson to plan our Chemo/Radiation attack. Nadia Cavner is coming by plane to get the remaining Esther Clan. What a blessing!!! Keep locked on target with the prayers. God is good!!John's #1 awesome nurse,Carol

Evening Update

Justed wanted to give another update. John had his post - op MRI today and it shows NOTHING!! No tumor! There is even some talk of a possible discharge tomorrow! We are now up to 16 laps! We love you all! Thanks for being part of this journey!
Maddy and Carol

Good morning! Just another report. John is up and walking around doing great! He wanted us to report that he did 11 laps around the unit! He has read every blog note and net note with a huge smile on his face! He loves your support. Our current goal is a discharge Friday and to be back in wonderful Springfield on Wednesday! Thank you for all your encouragement, no act of kindness goes unnoticed. I can't tell you how much it means!
P.S. Here is an encouraging video link that we loved!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9udYp7UOP8A

The entire Esther clan

Surgery day update: 4pm Tues, July 8th

WOW!!! WOW!!! The surgery was supposed to go until 6pm today. At about 3pm, the surgeon came out, and reported that there was a total resection of both tumor masses. That means that they were able to get all of both of the tumors out! There are no expected neurological after- effects from the surgery, except for some tingling that will go away after a few days.
Praise GOD!! The surgeon said that it went better, and faster than they expected, and agreed that there was no other explanation than a miracle of God.

Now...please pray for the next course of action. What research or follow-up clinical study should John be in now that the tumors are gone, as follow up. That God would guide them to His best, and that it even be possible for him to do this from Springfield, Mo.

Thank you all! Thanks be to God who is in the business of miracles!

From John and Carol

To our wonderful friends and family;

Wow, what a journey we are on! I want each of you to know that the only way we put one foot in front of the other and get moving on the Lord’s path , is though your prayers!!! The prayers have been and are being heard. Our testimony of God’s deliverance defies human understanding. It is a God thing! Your prayers are heard! Keep at it for us.

I keep on thinking about all of the generosity that has been poured into our family. We are so blessed. This brings me to tears. Not one outreach to our family has gone unnoticed!!! Maddy, John and I are sitting ready for his anesthesia assessment. We are heading to the OR at 7 am tomorrow.(July 8th) He is due in the ICU around 6pm.

Psalms 28:9
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. My heart leaps for Him and I will give thanks to Him in song.

With great thanks,
Carol, John, Maddy, Windsor, Joe, and Eliza

messages and or cards to John and/or family:

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send to their home;

3553 Willow Wick Trail
Springfield, Mo. 65809