Pastor Bob Hempy

THE MEMORIAL CELEBRATION FOR BOB HEMPY WILL BE HELD FRIDAY, AUGUST 26th, AT 7 P.M. IT WILL BE HELD AT SOLID GROUND BRETHREN IN CHRIST CHURCH, LOCATED AT 9974 19TH STREET IN ALTA LOMA (Just South and East of Archibald and the 210 Freeway). August 16 - Bob went to be with The Lord this afternoon. It is a great relief to know that he is now with his Savior, and is free from all sickness and sorrow. Please pray for Barbara and their family as they make arrangements for Bob's memorial service. August 15 - The doctor says she has done all she can do for Bob, and her goal now is make him as comfortable as possible. He is on a morphine drip, and may only have a few days left. Barbara says the Lord has given her supernatural peace. Everyone's prayers are greatly appreciated. August 14 - Bob was admitted to the hospital today because his white cell count is so low. He will be receiving 3 doses of Hydroxaria, a special treatment which will hopefully raise his white cell count. Pray that the medication will be effective. - PREVIOUS NOTES FROM BOB AND BARBARA...

August 13 -

Barbara asked me to write this update for them.

Bob was in the hospital for a week after his chemo treatment. He has been home this week, but it has been the most difficult time yet for him, and for Barbara.

Tests indicate that the Mylotarg (chemo) treatment did not work. The Leukemia is back, and worse than ever in his mouth.

He is very weak, and needs total care at this time. He has fallen a couple of times recently, and has a fever. They are still going in to the hospital daily, but it is so difficult that they are usually several hours late.

They are going to Urgent Care at City of Hope today.

This is an enormous test of faith for the Hempys and for all of us who are praying for them. There are things we cannot know; especially what purpose could be served by allowing such a godly, wonderful person as Bob to suffer like this.

There are things we can know. We know that this trial has revealed to many people who would not otherwise know, the faith and character of this dear couple. They have shared with us the unique ministries The Lord has given both of them with other cancer patients and their families during this time. We also know that God is all-powerful, and ever-present. He loves Bob, and each of His children, with infinite love, and would never allow anything that is not in our best interest ultimately.

All of us have prayed more than ever, and have been learning that our prayers do make a great difference. In the end, we can trust that, even when we ko not know exactly how to pray, that the Holy Spirit translates our prayers of faith for us.

Rom 8:26-27
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. - (NIV)

Keep praying, now more than ever!

Pastor Ron

July 30 - URGENT PRAYER REQUEST - Bob received chemotherapy today (Saturday) at City of Hope. He is being observed now to determine his condition. Pray dilligently for his recovery.

July 28 - URGENT PRAYER REQUEST - City of Hope did not have room to start Bob on chemotherapy Wednesday. Pray for him because he is still very weak, and he is experiencing much pain in his mouth and throat. Hopefully he will receive the chemo sometime soon .

July 26 - URGENT PRAYER REQUEST - Bob is going back to the hospital tomorrow (Wednesday) to begin a strong chemotherapy treatment. Hopefully he will be in for just 48 hours. Pray for him because he is very weak going into this phase.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST - July 15 - Bob has been admitted to the hospital again, this time with a 102 degree fever. They have taken cultures, but won't know for a while what is causing the fever. He is almost finished with radiation of his gums. Keep Praying!

July 1 - Urgent Update - Bob will have 10 radiation treatments, one each day, starting Tuesday, July 5. These treatments are to reduce swelling of his gums.

June 7 - We were on fever alert last night, but it remained low grade... Our roller coaster continues. A praise!! The blood transfusion he received yesterday has given him some energy.

June 16 - URGENT UPDATE - Bob is going back to the hospital with a staph infection in his porta-cath. Pray that the disease will not spread.

June 3 - We are back facing our real enemy (leukemia), having overcome another unexpected crisis (gallstones). We are waiting for the white count to get higher, and then on to chemo. Bob's white count is 600 - normal is 4000 to 11000!! Most of the time we remain strong in spirit. God is our Rock in this storm and the Rock doesn't move. Thank you again for being care giving friends. You keep us encouraged!

June 1 - Our Precious Lord is taking Bob's hand even though he is tired and weak and worn... through the storm and through the night, He's there for us. After 11 days we said good-bye to wonderful nurses and our car got to stay home overnight until it was time once again to go in for our daily infusion today. Counts are still critically low. Chemo put off for a few days. Hopefully we're trusting more than worrying.

May 27 - Bob is off Morphine now, but he still gets 4 or 5 antibiotics to deal with the gall bladder problem. It looks like Monday will be "welcome home day." Barbara says Bob's "Up" spirit is not so up right now. Pray for both of them during this difficult time.

May 24, 2005 - Bob has not had a fever since Saturday, so they think the antibiotics are working. He still has considerable pain from his gall bladder, and will now have to watch his intake of fat. He has had a rich diet to help him not to loose weight. His white blood cell count is still lower than it was before the gall bladder attack. They are still hoping to leave the hospital by the end of the week. Keep praying!

May 20, 2005 - Bob had to be admitted to the hospital today with severe abdominal pain and a fever. Test indicate that it is a gall bladder problem, and they would do emergency surgery, but he is not considered a good candidate for surgery. They are administering strong antibiotics. Pray that this situation will be brought under control quickly.

May 9, 2005 - Today Bob is receiving the last shot of his first week with the new chemo. He is feeling weaker, but his white cells have actually gone higher! He will have three weeks without chemo now. Keep praying.

May 6 - Bob has begun a new treatment for his leukemia with a chemo called Valdaza. So far, side effects, while at times have been unpleasant have not been severe. But his white count and the blood, as expected, are dropping. Pray against infection. After one week of daily treatments at the hospital he will have three weeks to rebuild.

Apr. 19 - Pneumonia (fungal) is tougher than we thought. CT scan report ... not totally gone ... substantially better. Dr. will confer with other doctors to determine next step concerning treatment of leukemia ... because cells are increasing. Pray for God's continued control until we can move on to a new program.

Apr. 8 - Our long awaited result of the bone marrow test was not what we would have liked. It showed 60% leukemia cells; 6% blast in the blood. White count is also down. Bob still feels great… gaining weight… and sleeping good. He needs to be on another program for the leukemia. He’s been off for 52 days. He will have a CT Scan on Thursday to check the pneumonia… it has to be totally clear before treatment starts on leukemia.

Mar. 31 - Bob recorded a video message to the congregation which will be shown Sunday. He looks and sounds great. Keep praying! He has a bone marrow test today. The pneumonia is still in retreat, but needs to be fully gone.

Mar. 22 – God is at work! How do we know? Our most encouraging visit to City of Hope was yesterday. The CAT scan reports indicate the pneumonia is checked… other than scar tissue and some traces, it is disappearing. Bob feels like a new man inside and out. Beyond this… and here is our miracle… the leukemia has been held in check during this entire time without medical treatment. There are no blasts (leukemia cells) in the blood! The white count is up, and he is now a candidate to get back on a program to deal with the disease.

Mar. 26, 2005 - Bob is improving, but it is a long climb. He will miss Easter Sunday in church for the first time in 50 years! His pneumonia is in retreat much improved, his white count is up a little, with 20% bacteria-fighting cells - a big improvement over his low point of only 2%. Leukemia is in check. This is a God thing!

Mar. 18 - Yesterday was a good day for which we thank God. The white count is still in the critical column, but the highest ever since Bob has been at City of Hope. At times it has almost been non-existent. There is a small (1%) count of blast immature (leukemia) cells, so he is holding his own… even though he’s not on leukemia medication.

Mar. 15 - Encouraging news!! Bob is feeling better. The past two nights have been good sleeping nights… the best since mid-December. He is walking some without aid… no fever… better appetite… gained 5 pounds in 5 days (same scale). That is a miracle because he is not eating that much.

Yesterday we saw the doctor. She was encouraged. He has not needed any transfusions since leaving the hospital. Platelets are up… red count up slightly… but both are still low. White count remains critical.

Mar. 14 - Everything is about the same right now. Keep praying!

Mar. 8 - Bob is coming home tonight about 6 p.m. We will have more information tomorrow.

Mar. 2 - Bob’s surgery this morning was successful. He is now recovering from the procedure. The pathology report on the infection in his lungs is also good. It shows that the problem is not a fungus after all. The doctor is relieved, because a fungus would be harder to fight. They are hopeful that he can return home next week.

Mar. 2 – Pray for Bob this morning as he has another surgical procedure. They will install a “porta-cath” to make it easier to give him treatments. There are some risks in any surgery for him. His fever has not come back, and yesterday he did not need transfusions. However his blood cell counts are still very low.

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