We went to see Dr. Chang on Wednesday. I really love talking to doctors who are the best in their field. I am not kidding. I really do believe that the doctors that I get advice from are the top of the line. I have so much respect, and obviously much trust, in their abilities. That is why I love to watch them as they talk about how much they don't understand about my cancer journey. Dr. Chang tried to help me by explaining that in all of the country, I am "just one of a handful of people" who have survived pancreatic cancer, survived the Whipple procedure, and am leading a normal life. Because of that, they are not really sure of what to make of my situation. (clear scans and rising cancer markers)
Did you read last week about the man who jumped from a train into a tiger's den? Did you hear the reason he gave for doing such a thing? He wanted to be "one with the tiger." He almost was one with the tiger. If officials had not rescued him, he would have been the tiger's dinner. I question his goal (and even his sanity), but you have to admire his determination.
I am so thankful that I don't have any desire to be one with a tiger. Instead, I like being one with Jesus, my Lord. When doctors don't understand my cancer journey, I just smile and say to them, "we don't have to understand everything. We just have to trust in the Lord."
Have you got stuff going on in your life that you don't understand? Maybe you ought to be as determined to be one with Jesus as this man was to be one with the tiger. I promise you - the result will be much different.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Wednesday, September 26
Today we go for our monthly "second opinion" appointment with Dr. Chang here in Goldsboro. So far, her thoughts have been the same as Dr. Zafar at Duke.
Someone asked me why I need to get a second opinion when my first opinion comes from one of the top cancer hospitals (Duke) in the country.The answer comes from an old preacher story. You probably have heard it.
A very religious man lives in an area that is being flooded by a hurricane. The water rises so quickly that it fills his entire home and he is standing on the roof, with no land in sight. A boat comes along and offers to take the man to safety, but the man replies "No thanks, the Lord has promised to take care of me." A few hours later the man is standing on his roof in waist deep water. Another boat comes by and begs the man to get in. Again the man refuses by saying, "The Lord will save me." A few hours later the man is standing on his roof with water up to his neck. A helicopter flies by and the rescuers shout to the man to grab the rope. But the man just shakes his head and declares again that the Lord will save him. In just a few more minutes the water rises above the man's head and he is drowned.
When this very religious man gets to Heaven, he questions God. "Why did you not save me, as you said that you would do?" God replies, "I sent you two boats and a helicopter. What else did you want me to do?"
I have ALL of the confidence in God. I KNOW that he has already shown us a miracle in my life. I also know that he continues to save me every day, just as he promised. So, if he sends me boats and helicopters in the forms of second and third opinions from different doctors and hospitals, why would I not pay attention?
Maybe you are in a situation today that you need for God to handle. Are you looking for his boats and helicopters?
It's all about Him!
Someone asked me why I need to get a second opinion when my first opinion comes from one of the top cancer hospitals (Duke) in the country.The answer comes from an old preacher story. You probably have heard it.
A very religious man lives in an area that is being flooded by a hurricane. The water rises so quickly that it fills his entire home and he is standing on the roof, with no land in sight. A boat comes along and offers to take the man to safety, but the man replies "No thanks, the Lord has promised to take care of me." A few hours later the man is standing on his roof in waist deep water. Another boat comes by and begs the man to get in. Again the man refuses by saying, "The Lord will save me." A few hours later the man is standing on his roof with water up to his neck. A helicopter flies by and the rescuers shout to the man to grab the rope. But the man just shakes his head and declares again that the Lord will save him. In just a few more minutes the water rises above the man's head and he is drowned.
When this very religious man gets to Heaven, he questions God. "Why did you not save me, as you said that you would do?" God replies, "I sent you two boats and a helicopter. What else did you want me to do?"
I have ALL of the confidence in God. I KNOW that he has already shown us a miracle in my life. I also know that he continues to save me every day, just as he promised. So, if he sends me boats and helicopters in the forms of second and third opinions from different doctors and hospitals, why would I not pay attention?
Maybe you are in a situation today that you need for God to handle. Are you looking for his boats and helicopters?
It's all about Him!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday, September 24
Talking about enjoying life - I loved this weekend!
On Saturday Diane and I took advantage of the opportunity to go to Chapel Hill for a Carolina football game. One note: I like ECU. I pull for them except when they are playing UNC (and NCSU, because of Gabe). Anyway, it was great to be in all of that blue. Due to an invitation by Jorge and Faith Seigle we had great seats, and more importantly a special parking pass, which is a big deal at Kenan Stadium. It was a long day, but a special one.
On Sunday, we participated in two Spirit-led services at GC, then had lunch with our staff and a group of selected new folks, then attended the new Capital District celebration. Again, it was a long day, but a great one.
During my sermon, I shared how necessary it is for me to remember three things. I need to remember who I am (I was created by God), whose I am (Since He created me, I am His) and why I am (I am here for a purpose).
Thinking about those three things, I am looking for some awesome days to come.
How about you?
It's all about Him!
On Saturday Diane and I took advantage of the opportunity to go to Chapel Hill for a Carolina football game. One note: I like ECU. I pull for them except when they are playing UNC (and NCSU, because of Gabe). Anyway, it was great to be in all of that blue. Due to an invitation by Jorge and Faith Seigle we had great seats, and more importantly a special parking pass, which is a big deal at Kenan Stadium. It was a long day, but a special one.
On Sunday, we participated in two Spirit-led services at GC, then had lunch with our staff and a group of selected new folks, then attended the new Capital District celebration. Again, it was a long day, but a great one.
During my sermon, I shared how necessary it is for me to remember three things. I need to remember who I am (I was created by God), whose I am (Since He created me, I am His) and why I am (I am here for a purpose).
Thinking about those three things, I am looking for some awesome days to come.
How about you?
It's all about Him!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thursday/Friday September 20
We just returned from the Duke Cancer Center. We were reminded today that we can depend upon our Lord. We were also reminded that God wants us to do that day by day, or month by month, or whenever.
The great news is that all of the scans that we took yesterday, both CT and PET, showed NO sign of cancer. (Thank you Jesus!) The not as great news is that my cancer indicator number continues to increase. It went from 262 to over 400 in the last thirty days. The oncologists are a bit baffled. They were sure that when that number (CA19-9) continued to increase, that they would see cancer on the scan. At least that is the way that it is supposed to work.
They don't understand - I think that I do. God is doing a His awesome physical work in me so that I can do whatever He wants me to do. And He has more for me to do. And, as I said, He wants me to depend completely upon Him. I tried to explain to Dr. Zafar that it is a God-thing. I'm not sure that he completely understands, but he suggested that we don't do another scan or test for three months.
I will share with you that last year when we were diagnosed, a long-time friend told me that she believed that God was going to work in an "unexpected" way. I think that she may be a prophet.
So we will continue to give God the praise and continue to totally depend upon Him daily. But then again, with or without cancer, aren't we supposed to do that anyway?
The great news is that all of the scans that we took yesterday, both CT and PET, showed NO sign of cancer. (Thank you Jesus!) The not as great news is that my cancer indicator number continues to increase. It went from 262 to over 400 in the last thirty days. The oncologists are a bit baffled. They were sure that when that number (CA19-9) continued to increase, that they would see cancer on the scan. At least that is the way that it is supposed to work.
They don't understand - I think that I do. God is doing a His awesome physical work in me so that I can do whatever He wants me to do. And He has more for me to do. And, as I said, He wants me to depend completely upon Him. I tried to explain to Dr. Zafar that it is a God-thing. I'm not sure that he completely understands, but he suggested that we don't do another scan or test for three months.
I will share with you that last year when we were diagnosed, a long-time friend told me that she believed that God was going to work in an "unexpected" way. I think that she may be a prophet.
So we will continue to give God the praise and continue to totally depend upon Him daily. But then again, with or without cancer, aren't we supposed to do that anyway?
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Wednesday, September 18
We go to Duke for blood tests and scans today. As you know, our past scans have shown no new signs of cancer, but the cancer indicator number from the blood test is elevated. We are doing a new scan today, but we don't anticipate that it will show anything new.
If how I feel is any indication, and they say that it is, then we are expecting good news tomorrow when we return for the results.
If how I look is any indication, this past weekend during our Harvest Sale I had lots of folks tell me that I look good. I love it when folks say that. I always say that I didn't look good before my surgery, so I really appreciate whatever the doctor did while I was asleep. But seriously, I know what folks mean when they say that. Having not seen me recently, they are expecting to see a thin, pale, bald cancer patient. When they see that you cannot even tell that I have cancer by the way that I don't look thin or pale, and my receding hairline is just taking its natural course :-), then they are surprised.
I know that God is good. I know that God loves me. I know that it is all about Him. Still, I would appreciate it if you would pray for a "39" for me. God knows what that means.
I promise to report my results here either Thursday night or Friday morning.
If how I feel is any indication, and they say that it is, then we are expecting good news tomorrow when we return for the results.
If how I look is any indication, this past weekend during our Harvest Sale I had lots of folks tell me that I look good. I love it when folks say that. I always say that I didn't look good before my surgery, so I really appreciate whatever the doctor did while I was asleep. But seriously, I know what folks mean when they say that. Having not seen me recently, they are expecting to see a thin, pale, bald cancer patient. When they see that you cannot even tell that I have cancer by the way that I don't look thin or pale, and my receding hairline is just taking its natural course :-), then they are surprised.
I know that God is good. I know that God loves me. I know that it is all about Him. Still, I would appreciate it if you would pray for a "39" for me. God knows what that means.
I promise to report my results here either Thursday night or Friday morning.
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