I hope all is well with you in spirit and in health.
I wish I could tell you that all is well with my health, but before I give you the latest report, first some good news!
Following up on the surgery to restore my paralyzed vocal chord late in January, I went for my first visit to the voice therapist a month later. She
said that I didn't need to come back for any more sessions because my speech was at a stage they don't expect to see for a year or two. We thank the Lord for that!
Consequently, I have been able to pick up my preaching most weekends and it has been strong!
Unfortunately though, my recent tumor marker test came back at 35; the highest reading ever and up from 26 several months ago.
My surgeon, who performed the esophagectomy and oversaw the chemo and radiation I had back in 2009, said that anything between 15 and 35 was stable as far as he was concerned. However, when I recently started bringing up blood in the mornings for a couple of weeks, he said I should have it evaluated.
A few days later, I had a CT scan which ironically revealed no abnormalities in my throat, but did show that there are multiple nodules in my lungs along with some enlarged lymph nodes in the center, all of which are thought to be the spread of cancer. If this is the case, it would not be lung cancer but esophageal cancer spread to the lungs!
I will be seeing the surgeon on April 3rd. I know he will recommend more chemo which I'm very reluctant to do but we will have to see what kind it would be. In the meantime I'm having a Pet scan this Friday to get a metabolic read on these new developments.
I also shared these latest results with the doctors at the Christian Hospital I will go to on April 7-12. In light of these new results, they are recommending that I now go back again for another week in May as well.
Here's where, with your help, I have to fight back!
Previously it was thought that the affected lymph nodes on the left side of my neck were the cause of my vocal paralysis, but the surgeon who worked on my voice box now thinks it is this new growth in my lungs that caused my vocal paralysis, because the nerve that goes to the vocal chords is very close to the growth. His concern is that my breathing could be affected by any further expansion of the new problem.
There is also a possibility the my one working vocal chord could become paralyzed in the process. In which case I would be breathless and speechless! About the worst place to be for anyone - but especially a preacher!
This is all not good and it's not where we want to be right now, but I'm thankful to the Lord that I'm still alive and kicking after I was told I would be dead two years ago!
There is still much I need to do to complete my assignment, so it is vital that I continue to fight for my health so I may be able to do all He has called me to do.
One very important part of that is the book I recently began to write telling the story of my journey through three cultures and living with a life threatening disease. It's titled "In the Shadow of Eternity!"
The book gives a candid look at holding on to the call of God through those significant cultural changes and cancer, focusing on the great responsibility I feel to set an example of how to live in the face of suffering and holding the line of honor to God, no matter what happens! I'm hoping to have the book completed by early July and published soon after. A credible prophet said recently, "It will be a best seller!"
The Lord clearly confirmed to me that it needs to be written as a great encouragement to His Body.
As I mentioned above, I am scheduled to be at the Christian hospital again from April 7th - 12th for special treatments that are not available in the US and then back for a second week of the same in May. As this takes place out of the country, my health insurance does not cover the cost.
The total costs will be around $13,000 and payment in advance is required. We still need further help at raising enough funds for the first visit and we will be believing that the Lord will provide for the second round too!
Please consider these three things:
1) Let the Lord speak to YOUR heart about this opportunity to stand against this attack on my health. He is no man's debtor! Whatever is sown will reap a bountiful harvest!
2) Each dollar you give transfers life, giving me a better chance of completing everything the Lord wants me to do on His behalf... and YOU will share in the reward!
