Life Lately
Hi, friends!
I’m back. Sorta. Life has totally derailed since I last logged in here on the blog. Most of you follow me on social media and have an idea what I’m talking about…
This handsome man right here has cancer.
I’m still in shock two months later. He has agreed to let me share a little of the story with you, but I will not share many pictures for his privacy. In mid-August, Judson had a routine EGD to simply look at his esophagus because of his reflux. (Who doesn’t have reflux in this day and age?) We expected to hear he had a hiatal hernia and would most likely have his esophagus stretched. What we didn’t expect to hear was “mass” and “esophageal cancer”. We both had that dumb stunned look on our faces.
Fast forward three days, and he had his CT for staging. We had so many people from our church come to the imaging center and circle it in prayer. It was beautiful! We had no idea what to expect. We were told it had spread to his liver and surrounding lymph nodes. I’m tearing up just recapping this. So what does Jean Claire do?
We were at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas just a few days later! When some people find themselves at a locked door, they turn away in defeat. Others may go in search of a window. I break that darn door down! No excuses. I pushed and pushed and pushed. Within 10 days of diagnosis, he was already sitting in oncology at the number one cancer treatment center in the country – if not the world.
Our first week included a PET scan (showed nothing we didn’t already know) and putting in a port. The port led to the worst night of my life, but again, for privacy I will not share those details. I don’t know if I can put that horror and pain into words anyway. But only 14 days after his initial diagnosis, he began chemotherapy.
At this time we honestly don’t know how long this will continue (most likely 12 treatments) or what will be next. What we DO KNOW is this: God is GOOD. I have never in my life seen his goodness in so many wonderful and visual ways. So many people have brought meals. We had a beautiful time of prayer during a church service where everyone stood and prayed aloud at once. It sounded like HEAVEN! We have received cards with money tucked inside. My sisters-in-law have gone above and beyond in ways I cannot express. My cousin in Houston has provided us a home to stay in while we’re there, so no hotel bills. It is incredible. It is beautiful.
But I am so tired. Bone weary. I have never in my life experienced such spiritual warfare. We’re in a scary situation where we have zero control of anything, let alone the outcome. We know the One who does, and we are believing for a miracle!
Judson has completed four chemotherapy treatments (with additional immunotherapy). He does four hours rapid infusion of one chemo drug + the immuno targeted drug + 48 additional hours of another chemo drug while wearing a portable pump. I’d love to share those photos one day. So many people don’t know what exactly to expect when faced with this, but that’s Judson’s story to share. He is a beast! Some treatments he doesn’t even need his nausea meds, and he has only vomited once. His fatigue is minimal, and he works every day when we’re home either at his day job or around the farm. It’s incredible! He’s going to have the best testimony one day. He does now, but you just wait! I’ve already selected the song I will sing for the church when he is declared CANCER FREE!
Until then, please keep us in your prayers. These are scary and unpredictable times. We also have the cutest and wildest two year old at home who doesn’t understand why Mommy and Daddy keep disappearing for days at a time. We are trying to live a somewhat normal life, savoring this season of toddlerhood and all it offers. Please lift up Liam, that God will allow him to grow up knowing his daddy, for his peace and understanding. Please pray for me to keep my cool, to stay focused and not panic, to receive peace. For my mother-in-law and father-in-law as they care for Liam 24/7 while we’re away. And for our families who aren’t local but love Judson Bounds so much.
Thank you for stopping by. I have lots of fun fall posts to share with you soon!
*If you’d like to leave a comment below, Judson will read them all – a prayer, a note of well wishes, anything. Much love!
Sending prayers for Jud, you, and little Liam. We’ve been there. But God is good. And he is with you all the way thru. Always! Prayers for strength, patience, full recovery, and wisdom for yourselves and your medical team. MD Anderson is a great place to be for these trials. There is a wonderful support staff there. Much love to you all.
We are praying for Judson!!! Prayer changes things!!! God is the great Physician!!! Cancer is touching too many of our families!! Sending hugs, love and most of all prayers!!! Love y’all!!! 🤗🤗🤗🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️
Jean Claire and Jud, Robert and I have been praying for you ever since we found out about your illness. I am so sorry I haven’t got to be a church to pray with the church but Robert and I have to keep his Mother every weekend. I pray for you Jud as you have these treatments that you will not be real sick as you go through them and I pray for you sweet wife as she does her best to care for you. I pray for your precious little son Liam as you have to be away from him. I know your Mom and Dad are having a good time with him. Robert and I care so much for ya’ll and if we can do anything please contact us. Just know we are praying for you.
Y’all are as tough as nails and as faithful as two people can be. It’s inspirational to see this unfold before us. Thank you for being rock solid, aggressive, determined, trusting, brave, strong, prayerful, positive, I run out of words to describe the way y’all have attacked this intruder full force. You have our admiration, love, prayers, and willingness to do whatever we can to help y’all through this rough patch. Call us. Jim and Cris
It breaks my heart that Judson is having to go through this! I am praying daily for him & you…will increase to Liam & your family. We love y’all! Keep your amazing faith!!
Praying for you both! God IS the GREAT PHYSICIAN!! His Hand is moving. May you feel Gods touch every minute of everyday. I look forward to the testimony after the Cancer Free Announcement . 🙏❤️❤️🙏
Lord, cover Jud with your healing blood. Cleanse his body of all forms of cancer. Send Angels to war over him and keep his body from all evil. I pray this in the perfect name of Jesus! Amen!
God loves y’all and will always be with you through this difficult time in your lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you, also. Love Y’all!
God be with you and bless you during this time of uncertainty. Love Y’all!
Sending lots of hugs, love and prayers for all of you! Jean Claire you are one of the most amazing people I know! I know God is going to see you and your sweet family through this and you will again have the most awesome testimony to share!
I love you and miss you!
Gerry Richards
Love y’all!
Thank you! ❤️
Prayers work! We believe!
Jean Claire,
Katie and I cover Judson, Liam, and you daily around the clock in our prayers.
Sending you lots of love and prayers for a good outcome! I know the Lord will be with you and your family every step of the way!
Uncle Ken and I are praying for Jud but also for you and Liam. Jud is on our church Prayer List, my Bible study’s prayer list and our Gideon prayer list. So many are praying Jud and yes, God is good! Ken and I both have had cancer. We know the drill but God….
Thank you so much!
We continue to pray for Jud’s complete recovery , prayers for his medical team, prayers for Jean Claire and prayers for your entire family.
Claim it! “We believe for it!” 🎶
Thank you, Mrs. Brenda!
We pray our outcome is the same as yours! You’ve always been so encouraging. We can only hope our testimony is as beautiful as yours!
We love y’all too! You’ve been wonderful with everything!
Thank you so much, Taylor! Keep them coming! ❤️
Much love and many prayers for your entire family.
I still stand amazed at you both. Faithful. Determined. Resilient. Courageous. So many words to describe y’all in these past few weeks. I’m sure there are other words too, but we’re going to focus on the good!! Our family loves you three and are praying for MIRACULOUS HEALING. And in the mean time we are here. Let us help in anyway possible.
Jean Claire please know that I will be praying with you and your family for God to heal and wrap his loving arms around your precious family. Your little man deserves to have his family intact a d grow up loving and having an amazing life with his wonderful dad.
Praying for you Judson for healing and peace in the midst of this trial. Praying for your lovely family, as well! Claiming that miracle!