Greetings from Mexico!
We arrived here on Saturday night and have spent a few days relaxing as we waited for Sarah’s cells to finish developing. We’ve enjoyed some downtime and lots of family bonding over games of Skip-Bo and Clue – which I found out I’m pretty good at. (I don’t mean to brag, but I pretty much solved the crime in one guess a couple days ago. I sometimes amaze myself… haha). We missed our Lakemount family on Sunday, but were able to listen to the message from Peggy Kennedy online, later Sunday afternoon. What a great word – what a great church! We are so blessed!
Anyways, Sarah’s cells arrived from the University yesterday, and so around 6 pm we went to the clinic to meet with the doctors. They informed us that Sarah’s cells were amazingly strong. (When she had this treatment last year, they told us that hers were the strongest they had ever seen). This year, they are even stronger than last year – which is very, very good news.
As a reminder, these cells are called “natural killer” cells, and they are a part of her immune system. By multiplying them, this therapy sends an extremely high number of NK cells throughout the body to find and destroy anything rogue or diseased. Sarah had her first infusion last night. Due to the strength of these NK’s and their assignment, Sarah was nauseous, fevered, shivering off-and-on last night, and has been nauseous today. Ironically, these are good signs. It means her body is fighting and eliminating any trace elements of disease.
We are heading back to the clinic in a couple of hours for her second round. We are prophesying life and health and the miraculous power of Jesus into Sarah’s body. We’re believing for complete healing in Jesus’ Name. We’re declaring that anything in Sarah’s body that isn’t supposed to be there will be totally evicted, never to return.
We’re so thankful for the opportunity to be here and to be receiving this treatment. It is amazing how God leads and guides. We’re also praying for Sarah to have a strong appetite and thirst while she processes some of these side effects.
I’ll send more updates soon.
Thanks for your prayers everyone! We love you.
Matt Tapley
Reigning Tapley Family Clue Champion 2011
Posted by Jennifer Gaidola on August 25, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Great news Matt! Sarah is one tough cookie. Maybe when you return we can have a champion Clue match…. I too am very good at clue! (I am not so sure we are supposed to brag about beating our kids though, it’s my competitive side) It’s so great to hear positive news, thinking of you all. Stay strong Sarah!
Posted by Dianna Lombardi on August 25, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Praise Jesus!! Praying and agreeing for continued good reports!! May God continue to bless you and your family !!
Posted by Bev Gaudet on August 25, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Thank you Jesus!!!!! This is such an amazing report of God’s goodness. We’ll keep pressing through in prayer. We love you guys and know that God will be faithful to complete what He has begun!!!!! xoxoxo
Posted by Mom on August 25, 2011 at 6:01 pm
PTL. PTL,PTL …we’ll keep praying that Sarah will handle the treatments well!!
Glad you’re having fun family time…..I think you are going to have to have an extended family Clue championship game. There are some pretty good contenders among us!!
Posted by Jason & Jess on August 25, 2011 at 7:14 pm
PTL! Love you guys!
Posted by Elly on August 25, 2011 at 9:49 pm
that’s AWESOME Matt!!!!!!!!!! AWESOME!!!! PTL!
Posted by Esther on August 25, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Great news! Thanks for the update. Praying.
Posted by Carrie Fricker on August 26, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Thanks for the update Pastor Matt…This is awesome news!! Thank you Jesus!! We love you guys and continue to pray and believe God for excellent reports!!
Posted by Ray & Cheryl on August 26, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Thanks for the update. PTL. Praying as per requests. Love to all the family.
Posted by beth moore on August 26, 2011 at 10:57 pm
we serve a big God, who is does big things!! Sarah is such a testimony to that!