Friday July 25th Update

I had my follow up visit with the Neurosurgeon today. He said:

1 – The pain, numbness and muscle spasms around my hips could be from the nerves irritated by surgery. He has recommended a number of possible therapy’s that we will be trying. One is TENS(?) or electrical stimulation and massage.

2 – I am to continue my physical therapy for the month of August and Sept.. I will be going to a nearby center that offers stretching, strength and mobility training. I’ve got to retrain the damaged done by cancer and surgery - and increase my strength and endurance.

3 – There are still small nodules of cancer up and down my spine that the Dr. said we will have to deal with in time. He talked about the possibility of place a catheter directly into my thoracic spine where chemo could be injected. It is rather experimental but something we are considering. I have an appointment with my Oncologist next week.

4- The incision site in healing fine. He did remark, “Man that is a big scar.” Poor Carol, she has had to look at it as she has helped me do so many things. Of course, she never said anything about it.

Speaking of Carol, I would like to give a small testimonial to her. She has been an amazing servant throughout this entire process. In fact, she has been a constant presence of love, support, servanthood and positive faith. She has driven me around to appointments when the pain was simply to debilitating for me to drive. She sat by my side for hours during all these appointments, wanting to know every detail of the cancer. She helps me to remember questions I should be asking my doctors. She’s been by my side right up to wheeling me into surgery and is usually the first voice I hear coming out of the anesthetic. She spent the night with me in the hospital or coordinated one of my sisters being there for me. Often times being my advocate with the nursing staff (and cracking the whip on my behalf) while I was out of it. She’s helped me in and out of cars, up and down in bed, on and off with clothes and with very personal aspects of my body functions.

Not that we have a perfect marriage. Like everyone, we have our difficulties and points of tension. We’ve hurt each other and struggle with patterns of sin we have both brought into the relationship. Anyone who has dealt with cancer or any other chronic illness know it’s like setting off an atomic bomb in a relationship. All the new stresses it brings can, and has, destroyed many a married couple. But the Lord has been graciously using this recent part of our journey with cancer to bring us closer together. A story that happened the other day typifies Carol’s love and commitment.

She was getting ready to go to the grocery store to pick up some items. Before she went she was fussing around in my room, making sure I was comfortable in bed – getting the pillows just right – handing me my cell phone demanding that I call her for any reason whatsoever – letting know she was only going to be gone for a few minutes and would be back within 15 or 20 minutes. She finally dashed out and was back in record time. She came running up the steps and knelt by my bed and with tears in her eyes – asked if I had been alright. I said in typical male surprise that, of course, everything was fine.

Then she looked straight into my eyes and said, “I thought about you every minute I was gone and just couldn’t wait to see you again.” WOW! Now it was my turn to almost be in tears. Because there was something in the way she said it that displayed not only a deep concern for my health needs – but an almost school-girl type of a romantic affection that makes you long for that special other person you have a crush on. That makes the time away from the one you love seem long and torturous. All that with one look? Yes! It was simply another reminder to me that for some unknown reason that I cannot fathom, God has placed a great love within this woman’s heart for me. One that I do not and will never deserve but and am oh so grateful for. This turned out to be not so short – but nevertheless true. Another demonstration of God’s love and grace towards me. I can see hints of Christ’s love through the love he has given Carol.

Please continue to pray for us – we have difficult road here for the next few months in recovery and more decisions for the future but our trust is in the Lord who daily bears our burdens. (Ps 68:19) We will update you after next weeks appointments.