Monday, January 30

Good news! Today I had treatment 14 out of 28. Half way done!
Bad news. This has been the worst day yet. The weekend was not much fun, except for the two hospital visitation, getting together with friends and family, and preaching one service on Sunday. A huge thanks to my son Brad for preaching the first service. Another huge thanks to my son Gabe for leading the service for Brad. (Wow, they actually can work together?!)
Somehow, most of this weekend I was able to make it through diarrhea and throwing up between appearances. But today, I had an event of that, plus an episode of trembing during my radiation treatment. It was not pretty, but the folks here at Duke took very good care of me. I saw the doctor today, and I will see him again tomorrow to see if I need some IV fluids. Need prayers, please.
Let me make this perfectly clear. I could never make it through this stuff without my Lord and my life mate. Diane is a real trooper. She cannot stand seeing me sick. And she says that the worse thing is that she is powerless against it. That is not entirely true. She is standing shoulder to shoulder with me. (except when I am throwing up. Then I prefer to be alone. :-)
It is true that she cannot make the situation go away. But we both know the ONE who can. He can do it slowly, or He can do it quickly.
Have you ever prayed, "Hurry up Lord?" I am tempted to pray that prayer. But the truth is:
IT"S ALL ABOUT HIM!

Friday, January 27

Today is the last day of the "dreaded third week." This is the week that the side effects are most likely to kick in. I thought that I had it licked until yesterday. I had noticable more fatigue and my digestives system was messed up. But my Lord was with me. He always is. Even though I did not feel my best, last night was special. A friend gave me his tickets to the Carolina-NC State basketball game. Since Chapel Hill is only eight miles down the road from here, Gabe came and picked me up and we spent some great time together. (Okay, because of the score I probably had a greater time than Gabe).
But here is the thing. Going to the game with my son was worth whatever issues that I had to fight through. God gave us some valuable time together.

What special times has God given to you. Was it a struggle to do it? Did you miss that time? Or did you fight through issues and realize what you had?

Wednesday, Jan 25

This has been an extra good week so far. Since the beginning of my chemo treatments, I have taken an anti-nausea medicine 30 mintures before my chemo. Some days it worked. Some days it did not. But every day my digestive system has not felt normal. (I don't know how else to describe it without grossing you out.) Well, if you know me, then you know that if something isn't working, I will try something else. So this week I have not taken the anti-nausea medicine. But I have been eating some ginger hard candy. And the truth is, I have gotten along better than I have in weeks.
This is really good news, especially since this is my dreaded "third week," when most side effects are supposed to really kick in. Aside from some slightly additional fatique, I am doing great. God is good!
Thank you all for the prayers. Prayer works.

I am wondering. What in your life just is not working for you? Relational, spiritual, emotional, financial, or some other life issue. Have you tried praying about it? Remember that prayer is a two-way conversation. Talk to Him. And then listen for what He has to say to you. And also remember, that "it's all about Him."

Monday, January 23

The GC Weekend of Transformation was truly inspirational. We had good numbers every session. But more importantly, we had the #1 Particpant, the Holy Spirit in every session. And I am thankful that I was able to take part in every one of them. God is good!
The weekends are also particularly nice because I don't take any treatmens on Saturday or Sunday. Today we begin a brand new week. Eight treatments down and twenty more to go. That's only four more weeks. Some days it ain't fun. But I was reminded so many times during this past weekend that God is with me, and that God is Healer. I am more sure about that right now than I have ever been. My Lord has allowed me to be a witness through all of this. What would it take for you to be a witness for Him today?

Friday, January 20

I like to ride roller coasters. Many years ago, during an MYF outing, Lynn Britt and I rode every roller coaster at Kings's Dominion. (We were chaperones) But I don't like the roller coaster that chemo and radiation has me on. Yesterday was not as much fun as the day before. I think that I took every kind of medication that I have in the bag to keep from being so sick. Today is going to be a better day. I have an early treatment and then we are headed home to my recliner and my creek. A little rest, and I will be ready for a Weekend of Transformation at GC.
Say an extra prayer for Diane. She is still struggling with the crud or something. It was in her sinus area, but now it has moved down into her chest. She is such a trooper.
I am encouraged by the fact that God is still God at the top and at the bottom of the roller coaster. I am guessing that your life is a bit like that also. Remember that He is in control of the throttle. And after all, it is all about Him.

Thursday, Jan 19

A good day yesterday. I didn't throw up. I feel pretty good. I drank my 64 ounces. I am trying to behave. (yeah, right). Today, will you join me in praying that I will have a good day today and tomorrow so that I can be strong enough to attend the GC Weekend of Transformation? It is an exciting three day, four worship services, revival. I don't want to miss any of it.
God has some great things in store for me. And I truly believe that He is using my Garris Chapel family to allow me to do those things. But whatever way He chooses, it's all about Him.
What way is He choosing to use you today?

Wednesday, Jan 18

After a three day weekend without treatments, yesterday was a great day to resume this journey. I did not get sick at all. (yeah) Also, Tuesday each week is the day I have blood tests drawn and doctors consult with us. My test results were very good. So far the chemo and radiation has not had an adverse affect. This is partially due to my ability to continue to eat. It is also due to the fact that I am not experiencing any dehydration. (Do you know how hard it is to drink 64 ounces of liquid per day - not including coffee or tea? But I don't have to worry, Diane keeps up with it.)
I am constantly amazed at how much love God shows to me through my family, friends, church family, and the many other ways that I see Jesus. How have you seen Jesus so far this week?

Monday, January 16

What an awesome weekend God allowed us to have! We came home on Friday and attended the wedding rehearsal for Donell G and Veronica B. On Saturday I was honored to officiate the ceremony. Everything was well planned by the families and very well implemented.
On Sunday we preached both services at GC. Since I do not take chemo or radiation on weekends, I felt better each day. And since today is a holiday to celebrate MLK day, I have a long three day weekend. We go back to Duke tomorrow to resume the treatments.
Yesterday we preached on how to know if you are a follower of Jesus. I will spare you all the points. But the first point was that followers know who they are following. I am so thankful that I know Jesus personally and that I have been called to follow Him. The last point was that followers get to see "greater things than these." I have already seen greater things than I thought that I would ever see. I have seen greater love in my friends, my family, and my church family. And most of all, I have seen greater things in my faithful life-partner, Diane. She has far exceeded great things for me.
As I said yesterday, if you are a real follower, you will see greater things. If you are not, then you will surely miss those things. I thought that I was a follower before, but cancer has somehow made me a follower that now sees greater things.
It's all about HIM!

Saturday, January 14

Yesterday was another busy day. We were able to get our treatments moved up so that I could go be with my brother in law, Craig before his surgery. It seems as though this cancer thing has hit close to home in many ways.
After praying with Craig we came home to participate in the wedding rehearsal for today (Saturday's) wedding. During the afternoon I began to feel sick again, but after some rest, it was much better.
The good news is that I now have a three day break from chemo and radiation. I don't take treatments on Saturday and Sunday, and Monday is a holiday, so we have that day off as well. I am hoping that will give my stomach a chance to catch up a bit.
I plan to be back to the place where God has called me to be - in the pulpit of Garris Chapel - for both services on Sunday. I have to tell everyone, It's All ABOUT HIM!

Thursday, Jan 12

We had a very long day yesterday, but it was my fault. We decided to go home for the evening and attend the Wednesday small groups and choir practice at GC. It rained all the way home, which made it very tiring. Then, just before dinner time, I got extremely nauseated. (So much for the guarantee that I would not get sick). I did have some anti-nausea medicine, and I did get over it without a lot of problem.
Today has been a very good day. I was in Goldsboro this morning to visit my newest GC family member, one day old Sawyer Thomas Edwards. Then we came back to Duke for my treatments. No nausea today - God is good!!!

Tuesday, Jan 10

First day of double radiation and chemo treatments. Since this was the first day, we saw a lot of doctors and their staff. It has been several weeks since we were here at Duke. We were reminded today of the battle that we are facing. Information overload and the intimidation of the machines were a lot to take in today. But as we settle back in our room and think about it, we are glad to get started.  And, as we really think about it, we are reminded that it is all about HIM.
It is early, but so far no side effects.
God is good!

Monday, January 9

Today, we checked into the Caring House. This will be our home away from home several days per week for about 5 and one half weeks. It is a safe place and a friendly place. Everyone here is extremely friendly. But, as Sally Ann, quoting Dorothy says, "There's no place like home." Here is an example of the folks here. We met two couples this evening. One couple was from New Jersey and one couple was from Duplin County. I like meeting new people.
We went through a simulated radiation treatment this afternoon. Again, we met some very professional and friendly folks at Duke Oncology Radiolgy. Since this was the first day, there were some extra measurments and processes that had to be done. The whole thing was a bit overwhelming for my simple mind. But I am glad that tomorrow we finally begin this part of our journey.

Getting Ready

Getting ready for treatments that begin next week:
Got an awesome place to stay while we are in Durham, called the Caring House - check.
Diane buys two of all of our toiletries and necessities so that we can stay in Durham some days and come home some days without packing everything up - check.
Cold almost completely gone! - check.
Feeling stronger than I have in weeks - check.
Not even the slightest apprehension about taking Chemo and Radiation - ummm.
Okay, Maybe a little apprehensive about treatments. No wait. I just remembered - It's all about HIM!
Ain't God good?

Like everyone else - sort of

My strength continues to improve. I have had a good week. I have felt really good - until yesterday. That is when I started sneezing and sniffing. Yep, I caught a cold. Right now, it is head cold. Now, this is not a big deal for most folks. In fact, there are a lot of people with colds right now. In that respect, I am just like everyone else. But if you think about it, say a little prayer that this little thing goes away before next Monday when I begin my treatments. Chemo and radiation can go together. But I don't think that a cold fits into that equation very well.

Back at work

Yesterday (Sunday) was my first official day of preaching both the 8:30 and the 10:45 services at GCUMC. We also served Holy Communion. I used the example of Mary and Joseph as they took the baby Jesus to the temple for the first time "as the law of Moses" commanded that they do. There they met a prophet named Simeon and a prophet named Anna. I discovered something really cool about this Scripture (Luke 2:33). When Simeon spoke about Jesus, Mary and Joseph were amazed at what was being said about the child. Amazed? Does that mean that in nine short months, they had forgotten who Jesus was? No, not at all. Surely a lot had happened in the lives of these newlyweds in the past months. They just needed to "hear" the words again. Sometimes life gets in the way of how we see Jesus. What in your life has gotten in the way? Maybe you need to hear the words about Him. Jesus loves you. Jesus died for you. I know my Redeemer lives. In 2012, like Simeon and Anna, watch for Him. He will be there. Happy New Year!