A note from Jared..

Hi everyone, it has been awhile since the last time I got to post and so there are ALOT of thank you's that I must get to. However, before I do that I must share with you the good news that Christina and I got on Monday, I am in total remission!!! All of the tests that they have/can run on me have come back showing that there is no cancer in my body, Glory to God! I wanted to share a promise from the Lord that we have stood on since the very beginning of this battle, I was admitted to the hospital and officially diagnosed on May 20, that was one of the longest days of my life that ended with a very painful spinal tap at about 2 in the morning. When I woke up the next morning the first thing I did was reach for my Bible and opened up straight to Psalm 55, and I started weeping because what King David was expressing was what I felt in my heart at that moment, and then I came to verse 18 and my promise from my Father: "He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me." We have stood on this promise since that day, knowing that it would be fulfilled, even though there have been many moments when I haven't felt unharmed by the battle waged against me, I still believed in the end that promise would stand true. I am currently undergoing my seventh treatment which is a very easy treatment for me to handle in comparison to what the eighth and FINAL treatment will be like. I am asking all of my prayer warriors now to begin praying for the last treatment, I have had this round of treatment three times so far and twice it has put me back in the hospital due to the side effects, once the side effects were so minimal that the day after my release from the hospital I took in dinner and movie. We know that was no small miracle and we are praying and believing for the Lord to move on my behalf during this final treatment. But enough about me, let's get on to thanking all of you. I want to begin by following the instructions of Proverbs 5:18 which says "and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth." I have told her (probably not enough) that without her and Jesus I would be totally lost in this world, she has been my rock, my encouragement, my love, my friend and my nurse and I will never forget her lovingkindness, I love you Christina. My family, (Texas, Kansas, New Mexico and Arizona) has been there for us at every turn and done so much for us I would have to type for pages and pages, but the one thing I did want to mention was that they have never let us feel alone, and always reminded us that we were fresh on their minds and always in their thoughts and prayers. Knowing that has done so much for our hearts and spirits, I love you all and I can't wait for the chance to thank you all in person. Thank you to the South's, Schleimer's and all of the other families and friends who have participated in the Wednesday night prayer meeting that has been held for me since the beginning of all this, we have seen endless answered prayers come directly from these meetings and we will never forget the battles that you have fought on my behalf. Christina and I were so blessed by the recent blood drive that was held for me at Station 1 in Haltom City, there were 101 blood donations and over 70 bone marrow donors! I know that many of you had to wait several hours outside and we thank you all for the sacrafice of your time and blood, and also to others who were unable to make it to the blood drive but took time to give blood in my name at different locations. I want to thank specifically Chief Jerry McEntire, Operations Chief Wes Rhodes, Fire Marshal Charlie Langham, Firefighter Brian Cotton (who really spearheaded this event) and all of the great guys of the Haltom City Fire Department, I want each of you to know that individually and as a whole you have blessed me, and reminded me why I want to be a firefighter. I want to thank the city of Haltom City as well for supporting this event, and the firefighters from the following cities who took time to support me: Bedford Fire Department, Keller Fire Department, Richland Hills Fire Department, North Richland Hills Fire Department, Euless Fire Department, Grapevine Fire Department, Irving Fire Department, Fort Worth Fire Department. Also thank you to Mansfield Fire Department for your generous donation to Christina and I. Well, I love you all and I am so blessed to be surrounded by such a supportive, loving and generous group of family, friends and strangers, thank you so much and God bless you all.

Jared

Thank You to All Donors...

Thank you to everyone to came to the Blood Drive yesterday in Haltom City, the outpouring of support was incredible! There were approximately 100-150 people who donated blood and about 70 new people who were added to the National Bone Marrow Registry, that is an amazing turn out.

Our deepest and sincerest gratitude goes out to the following -

• The Haltom City Fire Department, especially Bryan Cotton who took the time to organize this event.
• Carter Blood Care, and all the employees who came to help.
• Cooks Children's Medical Center and the National Marrow Donor Program, thank you for giving your valuable resources to our cause.
• Melissa Sanchez, staff writer, and Paul Moseley, photographer, from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, thank you for taking the time to share Jared's story.
• All the Fire Departments in the area who took the time to come and support one of your own.
• Everyone who waited in the long lines and the heat to donate blood and to be added to the National Bone Marrow Registry.

We are unable to express how unbelievably blessed we are by the constant outpouring of support for Jared, Christina and the Waters Family. We pray that the Lord would pour His blessings out on you and your families and that you always know how thankful we are for you.

Here are a few pictures from yesterday-

Jared went home today, woohoo! His levels are all still low but he is on the upswing. He is scheduled to start his next round next week sometime. We will keep you posted!

Rough Day But Good Report...

Thank you to all of our prayer warriors! Jared received the results pf his PET scan and it showed no other cancer in his body! Praise the Lord! Even the oncologist, who is a man who guards his words, said this was great news! Now we just keep on fighting the Leukemia head on and confident of our victory in this battle. Also Jared was approved today for some government assistance he had applied for, this will be a blessing to he and Christina.


Jared has had a very rough week dealing with bad mouth and throat sores, and today it seemed to get worse so he will be in the hospital until tomorrow or maybe Sunday. His body's platelets, red blood and white blood cell levels are so low that is makes it hard for his body to recover. He is thankful to be in the hospital where they can help treat him faster than he can treat himself at home.

He is determined to be out of the hospital before Monday so he can be at the Blood Drive at Fire Station #1 in Haltom City. For those of you who are local, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is running an article on the Haltom City Fire Fighters and all the support they have given to Terry and Jared & Christina during this rough time. It is scheduled to be in Saturdays paper, so make sure to look for it. And remember, this Monday is the Blood Drive and we would appreciate anyone who is eligible to donate.

Please pray for Jared's body to be strengthened and for Christina to get some much needed rest this weekend.

Blessings to you and your family!

Round Six...Done!

Jared finished round six on Sunday and was released yesterday. He is doing better and better each day. He has a sore throat and a few mouth soars, and is very tired, but he is a fighter and he is pushing through to better days.

Calling all prayer warriors! Jared is having a few tests run tomorrow which we are believing will come back with GREAT results! Please join with us in prayer as we continue to believe for miracles in Jared and Christina's lives!

Thanks for all the prayers and support!

Round # 6........

.....Jared went in Thursday to start round 6.....So far so good. This is one of the tuff rounds we would really appreciate your prayers for him and as always we encourage you to post comments for him to read while he is in the hospital. He should get out on Monday !

.....Christina begins teaching 2nd grade on Monday. She has been very busy setting up her classroom and meeting her students and parents ! Please keep her in your prayers as she juggles school and Jared.

.......Thanks again for all the prayers and support for the Waters family, we could not do it without all of you!

A Word from Mama Waters

Dear Family & Friends,

It is hard to know how to begin to thank all of you for all you have done for our family. The out pouring of support for us has been such a blessing. The cards - mail - words of encouragement - flowers - meals - visits - sweet tea - financial support - blessings jars - mercy cups - council - and prayers - mostly the prayers - have been our sustaining grace as we walk through this. Thank you so much!!

I started a journal about the time Jared got sick and when I go back and read what I've written since May 20th, I don't know who's life I am reading about - it all seems so unreal.
I am learning a lot:

1. Control in an illusion.
2. "Normal" is a cycle on the dryer.
3. God shows up for us everyday and for that I am thankful.

Thank you again for all that you do for the Waters - we really appreciate it!

And I will close with something that I never thought I would say - God Bless the Hooters Girls! The Hooters in Fort Worth let the Haltom City Fire Department have a car wash at their restaurant twice to raise money for Jared...they raised about $900!! A big thank you to both of them!

Love,
Dianne

P.S. Hope is a "memory of the future".