Culver

Cecilia & Curt

And my God shall supply every need of yours according
to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 ASV

Cecilia Culver Memorial information.

Memorial Services for Cecilia Culver will be Friday March 14, 2008, 6:30 PM at Calvary Chapel of Cypress 5202 Lincoln Ave Cypress, CA 90630. Graveside services will be held Saturday March 15, 2008 at Forest Lawn Cypress, 4471 Lincoln Avenue Cypress, CA 90630. Meet at the Mausoleum at 1:45 PM and the service will start promptly at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow the graveside at Los Alamitos Community Center, with maps available both Fri. night and Sat. afternoon.

Anyone wanting to bring food for the reception can contact Yvette Peckham 714/523-8641 The "Culver Family Relief Fund" is being set up for anyone who would like to help this family. Two and a half years of medical expenses have taken their toll and there are many needs. Donations can be made payable to the Culver Family Relief Fund and mailed to PO Box 6921, Buena Park, CA 90622 or given to Valerie Pugsley Thank you for all your prayers and support for the Culver Family.

March 9th, 2008

Cecilia went home to be with the Lord in her sleep this morning. I was told by her sister Beth it was 7:45, but in talking to another friend we think it may have been 8:45 and they hadn't changed the clocks forward. At this time their thinking that services will be at the end of the week. I'll send more details when their available. Your continued prayers for the family while in this time of loss and grief and all details to be handled in the week to come are appreciated. Her youngest sister Beth will most likely be carrying the brunt of the to do list.

September 26th, 2007

For those who are receiving this and aren't up to speed, Cecilia was told by her doctor to go to the hospital Wed. night after reviewing the results of a test, (sorry I don't remember which kind) revealing lesions on the brain. She had just begun a new trial chemo on Monday as the one she was previously on was not working.

I talked with Cecilia and her prayer request is that "God will turn my months into years." Dr. Brown who has been treating her, and who is always very positive, gave her bad news for the 1st time, which is discouraging for Cecilia and her family. He has referred her to a neurologist who will meet with her this (Thursday 9/27/07) morning and advise her of her options. They are giving her medicine to relieve the pressure on her brain, which has been giving her headaches.

Please pray God gives the doctors wisdom and they won't give up. Praise God for Carissa's pole vault coach who is a godly man and a support for Curt. Pray for each member of the family as the Lord leads as well as her mom & sisters.

Please don't inundate them with calls or visits at this time, but bathe them in your prayers. I will send updates when there is more info. and as I'm able. You could also send cards to their home and I'm sure Curt will see that she gets them.

Last night when I couldn't sleep the Lord took me to Ps. 24 - 29; I was able to share some of them with Cecilia, hope you also find them encouraging. Sorry this is so vague and choppy, but little is known at this point and I only have bits and pieces and give out bad information.

15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:15-17 (New International Version)

5-8-07

Cecila will be undergoing tests this month to see if she qualifies for an experimental I.P. wash type chemo. Another patient with symptoms similar to her's had six rounds and has been in remission for 2 years. Pray that she'll meet the criteria and that the treatment will be successful.

5/5/07

The Culver family is still in the cancer battle. The last I spoke with Cecilia she was continuing on Gemsar (sp?) & Carbo (her chemo drugs). Success is base on her CA counts, which aren't behaving the way they expect. They hope for them to go down rapidly and bring about a period of remission. Hers have crept down and then up again, currently holding at 91. Curt continues to have difficulties with his medical issues, Nicole will graduate from high school next year and Carissa attends a public Jr. High. Your continued prayers for the family are greatly appreciated. Pray for all their various medical issues, including Carissa's recent pole vaulting injury. Pray also for financial, spiritual and relational health, as cancer and constant pain causes stress to all areas of life.

11/29/06

Cecilia had what they call a relapse of her cancer sometime in July or Aug., which isn't good, as she hadn't yet finished her first round/type of chemo. Currently she is on her third type/round of chemo, as the 2nd type didn't work. She has chemo 2 Mondays in a row which, pretty much wipes her out, then she gets one Monday off. Cecilia got a 2nd opinion and was hoping to qualify for an aggressive type of chemo that would significantly increase her odds. The news she received was not good; she didn't qualify, and was told that basically she'll be on chemo for the rest of her life. The good news was some patients live as long as 10 years, and she was told she had a very good doctor, and should stay with him. In September her disability checks ended so she has had to go back to work. Her employer has been working with her, letting her work part time and do back office work so she doesn't have to be around sick patients. Additionally they let her take work home when she's feeling sick, and have kept her at her previous salary, all of which is a blessing. Praise the Lord!!! Please pray that her current chemo will work resulting in a lengthy remission. Pray also for new better treatments for this cancer and something more successful to be available soon. Pray also for her husband Curt who has constant back pain, and now has stomach problems as a result of all the pain meds. Pray also for God to continue to meet all their physical needs.

5/16/06

Life with cancer and in chemo is not fun but Cecilia is doing remarkably well and her outlook is usually good.
The fluid around the liver is being watched. The chemo treatments are well over halfway done, her last chemo is scheduled for the end of Sept. The most recent annoying side effect is a rash on her neck that is very itchy. She continues to sleep a lot right after chemo, but isn't so out-of-it when she's awake. This usually lasts for about 2-4 days. She also didn't have to get a shot for her white bloods cells last time, which is good. Prayer requests would be for continued healing and that the chemo would work. That she could get some relief from the rash and for insurance and financial issues.

The Peckham Family - Since the last update Yvette's dad Vince had surgery and as recovered. This will be his only treatment for the type of cancer he has. The renovation on her parent's house is complete and they have been relocated from Bakersfield to their Stanton house. Yvette's mom Toni is on and oral chemo, but is having complications including swelling of the legs, which causes the skin on her feet to crack, and blood clots. Pray for Toni's healing , the chemo to work, and an oral medication for the blood clots to work. Pray that Vince will be more attentive and helpful to his wife, and strength for Yvette as much of her mothers care falls to her. Also, pray for the salvation of both her parents and her brother.

2/21/06 Update:

The biopsy procedure on the breast did not go well and they will need to do it again, but they are going to wait 6 months to redo the procedure. A CT scan on the abdominal area showed acites (not good this is the same fluid that was in the stomach which led to the cancer diagnosis) around the liver and another area. This may require another surgery, which will be decided in a few weeks after another CT scan. On the positive side, she is still in the trial, and on of the chemo drugs has been dropped which makes the days after chemo much more tolerable. She was able to stay awake more than asleep after her last chemo, took less nausea drugs, and was able to eat the weekend after. This is very encouraging to her.

Yvette Peckham and family need your continued prayers (See 1-26-06 post). Tonight Yvette and her mom Toni is in Bakersfield as her dad Vince is now in the hospital with a blockage and uncertain treatment. Yvette & Toni will be back in OC on Wed. 2-22-06 for Toni's oncology appt. Here are the prayer requests that were emailed to me.
1. Toni, Yvette's mom, that she would be able to physically endure these new circumstances. (Being at the hospital for long hours, worry over her husband)
2. Yvette--that she too would hold up under the stress physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
3. Tomorrow's oncology appointment for Toni. This could be quite a dramatic visit...including information on long term "prognosis." At this point no one has told Toni how long she can expect to live.
4. Vince, Yvette's dad. Pray for discernment and insightful diagnosis. Pray the doctor's treatment plan would be right! Pray he would come to know our Lord and Savior as a result of this.

1/24/06 Sorry for the delay in posting updates.

Cecilia in now 1/3 of the way through her treatment. A few weeks ago she found a lump in her breast. She has been having test for this and will have a needle biopsy this week. Pray that it is benign as the Dr. suspects. Not only for cancer sake, but also for the sake of her current treatment. Prior to this discovery other tests were coming back positive indicating that the treatments were working. Cecilia's good friend and support Yvette found out this week that her mother Toni has pancreatic cancer. Currently Toni is recovering from surgery in Santa Barbara, when she is released she will come and stay with Yvette. Please pray for her healing, relocation to Buena Park, dealing with insurance and finding and oncologist.

11/19/05 Update:

I talked to Cecilia on the 17th, and she had her chemo that day, a week late due to low white blood cell counts. As a result of this, she will have to have a shot every other chemo cycle in order to keep her counts up and not delay treatments. She lost her voice about a week ago, it is not known if this is a side effect or not. During this last cycle Curt had his 2nd nasal surgery. Please pray for his recovery. Cancer is not fun, trips to the Dr. at least once a week or more usually involving some sort of poking around. Yet she seems to have a good attitude, and Curt is being a good caretaker. Your continued prayers for the entire family through this trial are greatly appreciated.

11/4/05 Update:

I talked to Cecilia on 11/4/05. She was having a bad day, which happens sometime during the 2nd week after Chemo. I think she called it a nader day, its when certian blood counts are low and it feels like you have the flu. Her lab counts were low, but the nurse said that was a good sign that the chemo is doing it's job. Continue to pray for weight gain and maintance, various side affects of chemo are making this difficult to do. Thank you for you continued prayer support during this long battle, every prayer is appreciated.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16

10/25/05 Update:

Except for having to wait 3 hrs. her port went in well last Wed. She had to go to the ER on Sunday for hydration and DRUGS (anti-nausea), as a result of throwing up all night. She is doing better now. She is easily winded with even light activity, so learning how to pace herself is a challenge. Your continued prayer support is greatly appreciated.

10/20/05 Update:

Cecilia had a port put in on Wed. the 19th and her 2nd today the 20th. Chemo is an all day affair for both her and Curt, this weeks session was suppose to take 6 hours, this is the week they will begin the trial drug. All her hair has come out, which has been hard for Carissa and the wig is an adjustment. As the Lord puts her on your heart this coming week pray for her physical comfort as well as healing and spiritual well being. The week or so following chemo is the worst.

10/15/05 Update:

Life with cancer is not fun and this past week has not been to good. Besides not feeling well, Cecilia lost 5 pounds with the first round of chemo. For those who aren't aware, nothing tastes good when your on chemo so you have to force yourself to eat. She has regained 1 pound, put hopefully will gain more before the 20th, when she has her next round. This has also been the week for the hair to start falling out. Despite all this Cecilia is sounding more like her self and is plugging along.

The Lord has encouraged her with Paul's time in the desert and John's time on the island of Patmos. During that time both had communion with the Lord and learned of him. She is encouraged to see what the Lord will teach her through this difficult time. As a result the week after chemo is now called the Patmos week.

10/9/05 Update

When asked how the walk went on Saturday, she said it was a "10" day. She even won some nice prizes. Thanks to everyone who supported her either by walking, financially or prayerfully.

10/6/05 Update:

Today was the day 7 after chemo and her best day in a long time. She was smiling and laughing today. She still gets tired, which is the way of life on chemo, and learning to pace herself. We had a great visit and this is the most like her old self I've seen in over a month.

Prayer Request: Remain the same

10/2/05 Update:

Cecilia had her first chemo on Thursday September 29, 2005, it took 5 1/2 hours to complete. She actually slept well that first night, which was and unexpected blessing as she was told she wouldn't sleep well the 1st night. She felt O.K. Friday, but by Saturday the affects of chemo where being felt. That's all the info I have right now.

Prayer request:
Continue to pray for healing from the surgery and for the entire family as they adjust to life with cancer and any pertinent request below.

The results from a CT scan done prior to Chemo had what appears to be not so good news, pray that it's not as bad as it seems and that the Chemo will kill all the cancer in her body and keep it from spreading.

THANK YOU for your continued prayer support, those of you who have been through tough times, know this is what carries the saints through the rough trials of life.

9/25/05 Update:

Cecilia continues to recover from her surgery. She is still taking pain meds with her neck bothering her more than her incision. She was able to attend Church today, which is a praise, but is concerned that she might be getting a cold. Her time up and around is about 2 hrs. per day. The Chemo start date has been changed to Thursday the 29th.

9/18/05 Update:

Cecilia went home today, Sunday midday. She will have a cat scan on Tue the 20th as the final confirmation step which will include her in the new drug trial. Her Chemo will begin Tue the 27th.

9/16/05 Update:

Cecilia is now doing walking laps 2 -3 times a day and getting in and out of bed without assistance. She still tires easily, and feels worse at the end of the day. She got a good night of sleep last night. The started her on a liquid diet this afternoon. They will want her on a soft diet before they send her home, so it will be the first part of next week before she goes home. The physical therapist came by and gave her some exercises for her neck.

9/14/05 Update:

I talked to Cecilia today and she sounds better. She's also been walking around some. Praise God for sleeping pills that work and a good nights sleep, along with a good nap today. Pray for her neck, she has a lot of pain on one side when her pain meds wear off. She's wondering if something happened when they were transporting her on the first day.

9/12/05 Update:

She got a new pain medicine, which seems to be working better. She got a good nap today, her port installed and a liquid food bag. She's still getting headaches and has not walked yet.

Her Condition: As many of you may know, Cecilia was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.

On Saturday September 10, 2005 she had surgery, which went pretty much as her doctor expected At that time the surgeon diagnosed it as stage 3, out of 5 stages, but this will be confirmed in a few weeks when all the lab reports come back.

On the negative side:

They had to leave some spots of cancer that were on the diaphragm because she needs this organ to breathe. It seemed by his description that it was a small amount and that the chemo would be able to take care of it.

On the positive side:

Her colon was not affected and a colostomy was not needed. She did not need a blood transfusion during the operation. It appeared that the cancer had not spread out of the abdominal area. She accomplished in 2 weeks, tests, referrals, surgery etc, what usually takes 8 weeks.

Her Prognosis:

It's estimated she'll be in the hospital 5 to 7 days and will start chemo in 10 - 14 days. Some of you may have been told that she would have 18 months of chemo, this is an error. She will start with 6 treatments every 3 weeks up to 18 treatments, the later taking a year.

Prayer requests

She lost her Bible the week before surgery, it would be nice if she could get it back. Pray that she won't get sick before Chemo and that she'll have the strength to visit with an out of town friend who will be in the area on Wed.

Pray that she will tolerate Chemo well, and any other request previously listed that are still pertinent

Pray that the cancer left behind will not grow, that the chemo will kill it all and that she'll qualify for a clinical trial that her oncologist's office is doing.

Cecilia's main concern is about reoccurrence and that she'll have to fight this battle again.

Husband Curt is asking for strength and the ability to be what his wife needs him to be as well as to manage the home and the children as she battles this illness.

Praises

The trial that she is qualifying for is accepting only 20 patients and she is number 19. Her original diagnostic test was scheduled for Sept. 21, Curt pushed for an earlier test and thank God he did or there likely wouldn't be any spaces in the program by the time she got through all the tests and surgery process. Again, Praise God that everything is happening so quickly.

Their Needs

Rest and time for normal family life. The family greatly appreciates all the love and support they have received, however they will be turning off the phone frequently in order for Cecilia to get some rest. I'm sure, cards and notes will be greatly appreciated and they won't wake her up from a nap.

Yvette Peckham will be coordinating meals, you can contact her at 523-8641 if she hasn't already got in touch with you. If you do bring a meal please bring it in disposable non-returnable containers. There will be an ice chest on the bench outside if nobody is there to receive the meal.