And so we Begin

Last Monday Bobby went to be fitted for his radiation mask...He sort of looked like a Blue Spiderman SuperHero...(too bad they didn't offer a cape also) and he did very well during the fitting. We know it was all the prayer coverage, because if it had been me having to do the fitting..there would have definitely needed to be drugs involved!!! We are now set up for our first Radiation treatment tomorrow. At 1:00 he will take an anti-nausea medicine, at 2:00 he will take his first chemo pill (praise God for insurance!!! the medicine was $7,000 and our co-pay was $75.00) We are very grateful to have this coverage and provision and realize that is not always the case for some and that is very heartbreaking. We are praying for a good tolerance for all the new meds & a good reaction to the radiation....Please join us in covering him every day during the next 6 weeks of treatment, as the Lord lays it upon your hearts and minds!!!
Now the really exciting news!!!! Yesterday we had some of Bobby's oldest & dearest friends (from Jr. High School) come and visit...but not only did they come to visit, bring fabulous food, but brought a most awesome surprise!!! If anyone has spent any time with Bobby you will know that he absolutely loves the Christian guitarist/singer/songwriter Phil Keaggy...known by many as one of the most fantastic gifted artist's alive!!! We have probably been to over 30 concerts over the years and have been so blessed to just witness so talented a human being, but most of all one who uses this gift for the love and glory of Jesus......Well to make a long story even longer...Brian & Bettie somehow managed to connect with Phil Keaggy...(God ordained) and arranged to have Phil Keaggy call our home yesterday....so Bobby (ok we confess we're groupies)was absolutely blown away to speak to Phil Keaggy personally, but most of all they prayed together & for each other....how cool is that!!! Now if that isn't like our God to just delight our hearts in that way...As George Anderson would say..."if that doesn't light your fire...then your woods wet!!!"
What a sweet kiss from heaven above...and what a wonderful brother in Christ...Mr. Keaggy, you are to show your love to a perfect stranger...Now isn't that just like Jesus!!!!!
Thank you again for so many words of encouragement through your cards & calls & invitations to dinner in your homes...We are so very blessed!!!!
Much Love...In His Precious Grace,
Bobby & Elaine Snow

Is it Brad Pitt???

Wow! He's cute with & without hair!!!! We had a family party and a ceremonial unveiling of Bobby Snow without hair~as he allowed our daughter-n-law to do the cutting (now that's family love)!! Melissa did the photo shoot and Justin, Layla, John & I were the cheerleaders. Brad Pitt look out!

Tomorrow we go for our fitting at the radiation oncologist for his mask. This will protect other parts of his brain while they zap the remainder of any of those bad cells that may still be hanging out in his noggin...Please pray for peace and continued trust that God has us covered and in the palm of His hand.

"And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose". (Romans 8:28)!!

As we rest in His perfect plan we covet your prayers that strengthen and lift us into the presence of the King of Kings!!!

PS: Bobby Snow says Good Lord willing he's planning to go to Smith Mtn. Lake this summer and trick ski backwards/forwards and board with all our friends and family...we'll see you there!!!

The Journey

Thanks for being so patient with us and still continuing to follow our post. This has been a time of healing from the surgery and trying to digest all that has happened since the turn of the new year. It has been a road that no one would choose to travel, yet we have seen the goodness of the Lord each day, especially looking back and seeing how many times he has covered us in His protection before our knowledge of Bobby's brain tumor (like being on top of our tobacco barn about 4 stories high and dismantling it by himself in the Fall) Charlie Bailey what were you thinking with your blood clot and Bobby's brain tumor...that was a great team...and certainly kept all those angels busy!!!
This week was busy with appts. on Monday, Thursday and Friday...Bobby's stitches came out..and has healed nicely...then we met with our radiation oncologist & our medical oncologist (the doc who will monitor our chemo treatments)...
The diagnosis is a stage IV glioblastoma multiforte. A rapid growing agressive cancer but we were encouraged that great advances have been made in the last five years that have been able to prolong the quality & quantity of life. No cure has been found for this disease yet. So we just need to put our hand in our Saviors and walk this walk together...our next big hurdle will be tolerating the chemo and the radiation and we pray for a favorable outcome. We also pray that all these medicines will stop making Bobby feel so bad..so that he could feel more apt to do some more things and not be housebound.
How can we even begin to thank everyone for the calls, cards, meals, visits and encouragements. No one could be more blessed by the love and concern we have been shown.
We are trying to get Bobby set up with his work e-mail address here at home..& you are also welcome to e-mail us at gloryflowerfarm1@aol.com.
We are going to try and start getting out more as His health will allow...perhaps even coming to visit YOU so don't be surprised if you find the Snow's on your doorstep one day in the near future! God Bless you for every pray you have uttered up for my Snowman....I imagine God has heard Bobby's name quite a few times over the last couple of weeks and we know that God hears and inhabits the praises of His people...May He receive all the Glory!
In His Precious Grace,
Bobby & Elaine

Day by Day

It is hard to believe that one week ago tomorrow, we along with so many loved ones waited to hear the outcome as Bobby went through a left craniotomy...aks brain surgery! And that only three days later we were getting the boot from the hospital!!! We do want to say that there is only grand things we could say about AAMC...and our time there. The staff, nurses, techs, and drs. were amazing...but most of all God has been so amazing from the beginning of this journey and Bobby says we WILL give Him all the glory for what He holds in the future.
Not much more to say accept Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your prayers...Please keep them going as God leads you. Bobby will get His stitches out on Monday, and we will meet with our Oncology team on Friday, 23rd...and we will know what our treatment plan will be.
Bobby continues to heal...his black eye is turning yellow...good sign..that he will soon be back to his usual good looks!!! Your cards and encouragements via blog have been great reading for him..bless you....it is truly a gift of love.
We are still trying to limit visitors..but I'm sure Bobby could use some fresh scenery besides my face & the fams...so if you would like to visit please call first...and we will see what's what for that day.
Much love,
Elaine & Bobby
Psalm 23

The Next Step

How quickly life can change..pardon the cliche but it's true...we do need to cherish each and every day because we just don't know what is around the corner...The one thing that is certain is that we have a BIG God and He is more than enough to meet every circumstance and need. We have seen it each day as we faced the days challenges and at the end of the day saw how God was victorious in each of the specifics. I can't begin to express how much we have felt all of your prayers carrying us through..strangely enough I can honestly say the peace of God has absolutely been present and I am eternally grateful for all of you and your prayers!!! Your comments on the blog has made us laugh, cry, but most of all made us feel so loved!

So now we take each day, one day at a time. The giant we will face now will be meeting with the oncology staff...and getting through what treatment they will recommend. As Bobby has constantly repeated to us "It is what it is" so we will face what "it is" with confidence that God is in control. Bobby is resting at home and still needs some time to heal. Meeting with folks is a little tough and emotional right now...so for the next couple of days we are trying to limit visitors and give him time to get on top of things, but your calls, e-mails, and encouragements via blog have been priceless.

We came home to a clean house, clean carpets (thanks to Bobby King/Econojet) you did a fabulous job and we are not ashamed to give a great plug for the company! Ha!

The last thing is if I have not told my kids lately (that of course includes Rachel, my daughter-n-law) you are the greatest!! You have been everything anyone could have wanted to be by their side in a difficult time..and I am so blessed by all of you!



Love,

Elaine and Bobby

He's coming Home!

Though the drs originally projected the release date to be Sunday they are sending dad home today. We are sooooo excited. Thanks to Bobby King the entire upstairs carpets have been steam cleaned. And a team of people joined Rachel and I today to sterilize the entire house. So we are ready and germ free!

We did receive the pathology report and the tumor is malignant. However, we are in high hopes that we will continue to beat this thing through the next step of treatment. Keep checking back for visiting information. We would like to get dad settled into home and monitor his progress before too many people come by - but know that he has already said that he is looking forward to both reading the comments and writing his own post as soon as he can.

Thanks for everything and continue to pray for the wisdom of the next team of drs that we will be working with in the coming weeks.

Much love,
The Snows

Breakin all the rules!

We have been told by the dr. that we have "officially" broken every hospital rule...for example:

Rule #1 - only two visitors at a time.

Snow response - how does 20-30 people work?

Rule #2 - No overnight visitors in the ICU or Critical care unit.

Snow response - Elaine is not leaving the hospital - so just deal with it and work around her

Rule #3 - Only one person to a hospital bed.

Snow response - yeah right! Move over dad!

Here you can see a picture of dad right before he was wheeled off to surgery - thumbs up and all!

Keep up the prayers! He is up and walking around today and was finally able to eat a meal of jell-o (yum!) More information coming as received.....

Love,

The Snows