Jen & Pete Uwarow

As I write this, it is 2am and I am sitting here in the hallways of my dorm. Right before Thanksgiving break my Resident Director, Jen Uwarow, was diagnosed with cancer for the third time in less than five years. This time that cancer was found in her bones and liver. After Christmas, Jen & her husband Pete (who also lived on campus) decided that they were no longer going to continue their position here. Jen had been struggling tremendously and didn’t feel that she would be able to fulfill her duties any longer. The chemo treatments that she was on were taking too big of a toll on Jen, so Jen & Pete decided to forgo chemo treatments. This was about a month ago. A few days ago Jen was encouraged by her doctor to go to the hospital because her liver looked like it had blockage and may need surgery. The doctors at the hospital found out that there wasn’t blockage and that the liver was beginning to suffer due to the cancer. Tonight we got an update on her caring bridge site that read:

“The liver doctor's opinion is that 95% of Jennifer's liver is not functioning. The oncologist said that she has at the very most two weeks to live. She will continue to want to sleep more and more and then eventually will fall into a coma for about 72 hours, not experiencing pain Jennifer will meet Jesus. She'll be at the hospital for at least the weekend. I personally would rather people not come and visit in the room but if you'd like to come to the lobby I'm sure one of us in the family can see you.
Please join the family in praising God for His mercy toward Jennifer, since being in the hospital this week she hasn't experienced any itching (which she told us a number of times was actually worse to live with than cancer and cancer treatment) and from what all of us can tell hasn't been in too much pain.
Pete”

This was not an easy update to read. This morning in chapel we spent time in small groups praying for Jen & Pete. This was before we knew this recent news. Pete had called Mr. K (Dean of Student Life) and told him that they had felt peace this morning and that he and Jen knew it was because of our prayers. This was amazing to hear. Although this news has been very emotional, I am comforted to know that Jen will soon be with her Lord and Savior.

There are so many different verses that have stood out to me in the past two hours. One of them is John 14:1-3. I recently came along this verse and have found it very encouraging.

John 14:1-3 (ESV)
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

I ask that you keep Jen & Pete Uwarow in your prayers.