The Story
Dear friends and family,
I guess you could say our story starts on May 17, 2002 when Lindsay and I were married and began our life together. We were working for our local church in Orlando, FL at the time, but quickly felt God directing us to move to the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex, so we loaded up the truck and starting driving. Once in Dallas, God lead us to start recording worship projects of all types. I was working with churches big and small, groups and solo songwriters seeking the face of their maker. After a couple of years God opened the door to start teaching at Christ for the Nations’ School of Worship. Here I was able to help train and equip young worship leaders with valuable skills needed for daily church ministry.
God really had blessed every step we took. We found ourselves working for a church we loved, working with great worship leaders on a daily basis and being able to help develop young leaders. We couldn’t have asked for anything more. Then, in March of 2009 everything came to a screeching halt. In the middle of a recording project, I found myself unable to keep any food down. After a few days we decided it might not just be the flu and took a trip to the doctor’s office. He proceeded to give me a shot and some antibiotics, but I continued to get worse. After a couple of days we decided a trip to the ER was needed.
It was a Saturday spent in the waiting room, waiting and waiting. 10 hours later, I began the first of what would become an endless stream of tests. The doctors came in and informed us that my colon was enlarged and I should be admitted immediately. They didn’t know what was wrong, but whatever it was had spread to my spine, lungs and neck. They said if I was 70, they might think cancer, but I was much too young for that diagnosis. The doctors thought it must be some sort of infectious disease, such as tuberculosis. Over the next few days I was rushed from one test to another, MRI to CT to biopsy to arthroscopic this and that. After over a week of every type of scan they could imagine, my oncologist came in and gave us the word: stage IV, metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). It is a rare form of salivary gland cancer. The tumors had started in my neck and spread from there. The largest tumor had eaten away several vertebrae and wrapped around my spinal cord, putting pressure on the nerves that controlled my legs. Surgery was needed right away to save the use of my legs.
The surgeries were very involved, groundbreaking procedures. My fantastic neurosurgeons, Dr. Moody and Dr. Meirat, performed a complete tumor resection along with the removal of two vertebral bodies and a portion of the muscle over two surgeries totaling 15 hours in the O.R. I was outfitted with an all new titanium spine comprised of over 16 screws, multiple rods, and an expandable cage filled with one of my own crushed ribs along with synthetic bone material that will hopefully fuse together over time.
Since being discharged post operation, I have been building my strength day by day and relearning how to walk and move around. I have discovered that rebuilding posture muscles is no easy task. However, Dr. Moody has been very pleased with my progress, though I have a significant degree of numbness that persists still today.
A few weeks following surgery, I began radiation therapy on my back. The doctors said they were using all their tricks on me to provide intense radiation hollowed in the center to protect my spinal cord. The prescribed plan consisted of 30 treatments of radiation, administered Monday through Friday for 6 weeks. Thankfully, the radiation was completed on my back last Friday, July 17th. These were a rough 6 weeks. I was very sick the entire time and it just kept getting worse as it built in my system. I could hardly keep any food down and several of those weeks I was losing weight at a rate of 3 lbs. per week. I am glad to have that concluded.
Currently, we are figuring out what step to take next. We are muddling our way through the paperwork process of trying to get into MD Anderson – a cancer treatment and research hospital – hoping they will have better treatment options. This is such a rare type of cancer and it is difficult to find doctors that are true experts in treating it successfully. ACC does not respond to conventional therapies so we are searching for something unconventional. We have been told it is not curative; many doctors only hope to slow it down.
Lindsay and I are ready to fight this tooth and nail. We will not give up. We are completely convinced that God is going to bring complete healing whether it is by medical or miraculous means. We are so grateful to everyone reading this and standing with us. We need your prayers and support.
Chris and Lindsay Rogers
Dear Chris and Lindsay,
We’re praying for you all the time, holding onto God for your healing and provision for all your needs. We love you so much.
Uncle Jimmy & Aunt Jannie
Dear Chris and Lindsay,
Jon and I are praying for you all the time. I am sorry you are having to face this struggle. Hold on to each other and try your best to keep your thoughts positive. Laugh as much as you can…it’s great medicine. We are here for both of you. Here is a great quote of encouragement:
“Life isn’t always smooth. It it were, we would never grow and develop as human beings. Unexpected grief and suffering may lie ahead of you. But it is precisely when you encounter such trying times that you must not be defeated. Never give up. Never Retreat.”
-Daisaku Ikeda
Love,
Kerry & Jon
Dear Chris and Lindsay,
We’ve been praying since we heard and we are still praying for you guys. If God is for us, who can be against? Death where is your sting? We pray for power, healing and victory in Jesus’ name right now. Stay strong cousin. We love you both so much!
-Joel and Melanie
Dear Chris and Lindsay,
I’m praying and believing with you everyday as you stand firmly on God’s assurance. I am so proud of you as I watch you walking with grace through this battle together. My heart is always right there with you.
I love you,
-Mom
Chris,
You don’t know me but I grew up with Linds in Michigan. I heard about your story and I have been praying for you both to have the strength to fight the cancer till it is gone from your body. I have told my family about your story and they are also joined in your fight. We pray for your healing and know that God will perform his work through you during this difficult time.
In prayer,
Kari Balk
Hi Lindsay and Chris!
Much love to you both. I will be praying for you as often as I remember. Keep your hopes alive! Remember to try and have some fun during these very heavy and serious times. The Lord is with you always.
Love
Livvy
Chris & Lindsay:
I haven’t had an opportunity to meet you, but I am member of the Oaks family. I am in prayer for your full recovery, Chris. We serve an awesome God who is well-known for His grace, His mercy and His deliverance. I pray that He will increase your bond together and give you strength as He exercises His love and power in your life.
Nicole T
Dear Chris and Lindsay,
I know these are difficult times and that you are in a place you never thought you would ever be. We are praying for you daily and are believing for a miracle with you. Many have reported to us that the two of you have great faith. Keep on believing.
Lindsay thank you so for taking such good care of Chris. I know that this can be very hard for the one closest to the person who is ill. I am holding you up in prayer as well. God is your strength. And God is with you as you face this giant together!
love you both!
Michelle
Chris and Lindsay,
I will be praying for you. God is still in the healing business.
Richard Miller
Campus Pastor
The Oaks Mesquite Fellowship
Cell 972.489.7676
Hello to you both I do not know you but I will be praying for you and hoping YOU ARE BETTER REALY SOON,I attend the oaks and read pastor Scotts email Much love and best wishes for you and your family BEVERLY FRANKLIN
God can and believing with you both Chris and Lindsay, I pray for you both,your friend and believer in Christ, Felicia Reid, Wichita Falls, Texas, FAOG Pastor Rogers and Becky are my pastors. Smile God love you both!!!!
Dear Chris and Lindsay,
My wife, Sue, and I are Sunday school classmates of Jim and Jan Rogers. Over the past many weeks, we have lifted you up in prayer, and I wanted you to know that the prayers continue. Even though we may not all be in contact with you, please know that God’s grace is pronuonced over you and in your name. You are obviously people of faith, so spiritual words may not be necessary coming from a stranger. But please minister to us by allowing us to offer my encouragement in the name of our risen Lord. You know that God is with you…it helps us out here to validate that and to know that you accept it. I believe God expects us to ask for revovery, healing and freedom from pain. So, as we do, thanks for allowing US to be a part of your ministry by accepting our love and prayers. We’ll be in touch again.
Blessings,
Ron & Sue Merritt
Hi Chris and Lindsay,
No news here. Same ol’ same ol’. But I wanted to say we’re still praying, still trusting God with you. We love you.
Uncle Jimmy & Aunt Jannie
WOW
I do proclaim that Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and He was bruised for our iniquities, the punishment of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed.
Blessings, Pandora (Jannie and Jimmy’s old friend)
Chris, I hate that you have to go through this, but I know that God always has his reasoning behind stuff like this. I pray that He would continue to be glorified no matter what the medical community says. I’m praying with you for a miraculous healing. Our God is bigger than any of this!
May you have sufficient grace from Him to be able to endure these trials!
Much Love,
Michael Nease
Having had more than my share of miracles I am praying the same for you both. Hang in there. You aren’t alone in being young and facing so much pain. I am praying for amazing answers to prayer for you.
Chris and Lyndsay
Estamos orando mucho por Ustedes… We are praying for you…!!!
Chris and Lindsay,
We prayed for you last night.
We do not know you guys, but we do know Janel and Dustin.
We will continue to be praying for you from Yuba City CA.
Hi Chris,
I don’t know if you remember me but I worked with your grandparents at Ventura Teen Challenge form 1991-1994. You would spend time with them during the summer sometimes and that is how I got to know you. I am so sorry to hear about your illness. I got word of it from Kim Griffth in Riverside. I am praying for your healing. I know that God has a plan for you! I also have had issues with being sick so I understand and my heart goes out to you and your family. Please tell your grandparents I said hello.
God bless you!
Cassandra Stanley
Teen Challenge Friend
Just wanted to let you know that we are praying for you. Miracles still happen. We just had one happen within our own family! Just rest in God’s hands…let Him wrap His loving arms around you both! Chris, may you feel His healing power today. We love you.
Hi Brother, we gonna be with you in prayer, here in brazil i `ll talk with some friend and with my team at ywam base, hope see you soon playing worship song to a lot of people and blessing then with your miracle story!
be strong man.
take care
Hey Chris, Know that my family and I are praying for you guys. I can’t imagine your thoughts in all of this, but know that God will use this for great things. I believe and pray that God will work a miracle in you. I pray this often, and have faith that You will be healed!! I miss you and can’t wait to have a Dallas First Youth Reunion very soon when you are healed!! ~Rebekah Singleton (Richter)
You don’t really know me, but I just wanted to tell you that I heard the news through Jason (you helped out with our SuperGod recording) and I just wanted to let you know, that Im praying and believing for you. God bless you dude!
Hey Chris,
Love ya man. I’ll be praying for you and Lindsay.
-Tyson McQuay
hey Chris,
this is Nahum Galdamez,
you probably do not remember me, i am a friend of MIGUEL NOYOLA and in my project 4 years ago u let us borrow a ton of your gear to record guitars. i was shocked at how freely you allowed us to use your expensive equipment and i even gave you a thank you in the ALBUM LINER NOTES.
Needless to say i was saddened when i heard about your disease but am joining the countless others who are praying for your and thanking GOd already for your ongoing COMPLETE HEALING. May God bless you AND your wife.
NAHUM GALDAMEZ
the big “C” is CHRIST.
the little c is cancer
Dear Chris and Linds,
You’re both in my thoughts and prayers, and I have had my mom and grandma start prayer chains at their respective churches for you. You two are tough, amazing people, and you’ll get through this. I have faith in this! Love you. <3
Alisha
Dear Chris and Lyndsay:
Wow… I´m really impressed of your history, and with your spirit of fighting… you are really gladiators of God´s Army, when there is no cure there is hope, a hope that only God can give us, believe it… you are in the right place to see a miracle and I know that God will surprise all of us with it.
Is my pray that God support you every day and I´ll wait for the good news guys!!
In Jesus love
Vivi
Hey Chris,
I heard about your illness through your Aunt Jannie. I have known her since 1964 when we went with her and many others on the first YWAM SOS outreach to the Bahama Islands (”Is That Really You, God?”).
Anyway, my husband Gary and I just wanted to let you know, that we are praying for your complete healing! “By Jesus’ stripes you are healed”
I Peter 2:24. We won’t give up on our prayers until we here the good news, that your healing is complete! We thank God that He will do this for you!
Many blessings and Merry Christmas!
Linda and Gary
Hi you guys!
I’m in Seattle and getting the updates. My wish is that you both will hold on to hope ever so tightly. Hang in there. My prayers and thoughts are with you both.
love
Talitha
Chris and Lindsay,
You have both been in my daily prayers for a divine miracle from God to take place in your lives. I know that your faith and trust in Him will see you through this whole situation. Know that you are loved and supported by so many who are standing in the gap through prayer and support for you. Chris I have missed seeing you around at CFN and have been so blessed by you over the last 3 years since I meet you in SOWTA as one of my instructor’s. I will see you on Jan. 22nd at the Benefit Night of Worship. Blessings! Proverbs 3:5-6
Michael Lehman
Dear Chris and Lindsay,
I found out what your story through Zach Neese. I am a Worship leader at First Baptist Church Denton, TX. I was diagnosed with Stage III Metastatic (Invasive) Carcinoma of the breast in July 09. I was 34 years of age with a hubby, and two young children..and a singing career.
Just one week prior to my diagnosis, I was on the platform singing Brook Fraser’s “Desert Song” about bringing praise…No weapon formed against us shall remain…I will rejoice, I will declare, God is my VICTOR and He is here..”
satan hates us brother Chris! You know this. God will make away. Just as many prayed me through chemo, surgery and now on through radiation (30 rounds), I know our God – Jehovah Rafah will bring YOU through. He wants to use you for His power and for His Glory.
I will comitt to pray for you and I would like to be there to intercede on January 22nd.
Drink Wheat grass…helped me. Helped my white and red blood counts.
Praying HEALING.
Tonya A. Blankenship
chris,
leah and i attended sowta while you were teaching. we had to leave mid- tech arts because leah was very sick while pregnant with our third daughter. after delivery, she found out she had stage 4 lynphoma. she immediately started chemotherapy, but she also sought prayers at church in every alter call. she was surrounded by people of faith as you are now. in month four of therapy, her pet scan and blood work showed that all signs of cancer were completely gone. she is healed. we had great doctors, but our God is greater. They can cure, but God makes whole. (like it never happened) we are praying for you. DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED!! You will be healed.
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
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Special Thanks
A special thank you must go out to all the family and friends who have come to support and give guidance to Chris and Lindsay during this challenging time.
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