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Dear Brethren
We ask your forgiveness for being so long in updating you on my present recovery.
First we humbly thank you for your prayers, love, and support, during this journey and "trial of our faith." We know that it is your prayers for us that have sustained us, along with the unfailing promises of God's Word. How wonderful that we are 'the family of God," "The Body of Christ." We are not alone. The "comforter," the Holy Spirit, is with us; "God with us," and through His life in and through us, we are bound together as one family, one Spirit, one Lord, one baptism into the Spirit of Truth.
Honestly, this past month started out with much difficulty and trial. On the 16th of January, while continuing daily radiation treatment, I began my second 5 days in the hospital to receive 24/7 chemo therapy. I had not yet quite recovered from my first round three weeks earlier, and this second round took determined endurance to get through. How grateful Sandy and I are for those of you who have keep us in your hearts and prayers during this time. I truly believe that if we are in your hearts and minds, then we are on our Lord's heart and mind, for the mystery of the gospel is Christ in us. We are the Body of Christ. He is seated at the right hand of the Father, but he is at the same time living in each one of His adopted sons and daughters.
I came home from the hospital, finished with chemo on the 20th of January, still needing to have radiation the following week. One more mountain crossed, one small ridge yet to go. Thursday, the 26th, I finished the last of radiation and since then have been in the process of recovering from the effects of the treatments. At first I was not prepared for the long recovery from the valley I had passed through. Thankfully, today am noticing definite improvement in my strength, and finally I am beginning to eat and drink on my own. Not much, but grapefruit, coffee, muffins, cream of wheat, and yogurt tastes simply wonderful.
I am able to do a little more each day in my office, but writing is difficult since it takes tremendous energy to express properly the mind of Christ (and be sure my very poor spelling and grammar are correct).
On Wednesday, February 15, Sandy and I drove 5 hrs to Charlottesville, VA. The next day I had a full day of involving a PET scan, a consultation with my surgeon, and pre-admission tests in preparation for surgery scheduled for Friday, March 9. We had previously thought that surgery would be in late March, but, our surgeon, Dr. Kozower, felt I was strong enough for him to move the date of surgery up 2 weeks.
Sandy, and our daughter Kim, have been so wonderful through the difficult days, helping me, encouraging me, and loving me. What a miracle love is! How wonderful that "God is love."
Our accountant and secretary, Carol, a true daughter in Christ, has been doing a wonderful job processing and forwarding your gifts to the ministry and to our brethren overseas. Although I have not been able to accomplish as much as I normally do, the work continues. We are so grateful for your continued support for the ministry of In Jesus' Name, and for our brethren. Some of you have also been able to send in gifts to help with expenses not covered by our medical insurance, and we are also so grateful for your help in this area of need.
All of my doctors, and the surgeon, are very optimistic concerning the outcome of all the treatments. The surgery will take about 5 hrs and is very extensive. 2/3 of the lower part of my esophagus will be removed, along with 1/5 of the upper part of my stomach. The remaining stomach will be drawn up and joined to the remaining esophagus, forming a "tube." After recovery of about one month, I will be able to eat normally but will have to eat 6 small meals a day for the rest of my life. My stomach will be much smaller. All in all, I should be much healthier.
We are especially asking for your prayers for Sandy and me on March 9, the day of the surgery, and for the first few weeks after surgery.
"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,..." Philippians 1:3 |
