February 1st - Prayer Update

Greetings, Friends and Family,

Today Jeane and I went to the new Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, AZ.

This is a new partnership between Banner Health (the health system that I work for) and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX to bring a new, state-of-the-art facility to the Phoenix area. It just opened this last September. For eight of the past ten years MD Anderson has ranked No. 1 in cancer care in "Americas Best Hospitals." That listing is published yearly in U.S. News & World Report. Needless to say, we feel fortunate to have access to such care and to have it be covered under my Banner medical insurance.

The people at this facility were some of the best. In fact, when we left after four hours today we got hugs from two of the nurses who, by the way, told us they would pray for us. Our doctor, Dr. Wong, was great. He is an oncologist specializing in renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). He talked a mile a minute; it was like sitting in front of a talking encyclopedia. He was so knowledgeable and interesting. My head was spinning but Jeane loved it. He also  stopped to listen and respond, and we asked a lot of questions.

We found out there are some drugs out there that may halt the growth of these kinds of tumors or even cause them to recede. This is not a cure, but certainly a step in the right direction. He agreed with the first oncologist: rhat the standard "big three" of cancer treatment (chemo, radiation and surgery) are not good options in this case.

We did not make any decisions today. He wants to investigate our case further by going all the way back to my original cancer in 2000. He is going to get all the pathology reports from the past and study them. He also wants to bring it before the tumor board, which is a group of around 30 medical staff who meet every Tues. and Thurs. to look at cases and discuss treatment options. 

We will go back in a couple of weeks for a new CT Scan, blood work, and an MRI on my thigh, which showed up on the PET Scan as having a mass of some sort.

So where does this leave us?

Encouraged? Well, not really. But I guess having some options feels better than having no options.
Comforted? Yes, we are glad that we are in good hands medically. And we're grateful to have nurses who pray.
Affirmed? Oh, yes. Jeane and I are moving where we are supposed to be -- in the deliberate "Grip of Grace."

(I write about the Grip of Grace in this week's Enews. Check it out on this blog or read your Enews this week.)

What I mean is this: we have been going through a whirlwind of appointments and consultations. We get more info thrown at us in a week than we can absorb. But we are all the while being held in the Father's Grip of Grace. It is a place for that is peaceful and not fearful. It is a place where I can settle and rest.

It is also a place where I can listen. You know, there are so many things that are coming at us at a time like this. We need the wisdom of the Father to sort them out. We could easily be overwhelmed. We need to be constantly asking God to give us his voice of wisdom to guide our path. I am reminded of the scripture in James 1:5 that says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

There are answers everywhere. They are good answers and they may work; but are they the right ones for us?

One thing I do know: I believe God has spoken to my heart that I am "walking in a healing presence." The Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:10 (and I paraphrase), "I have been delivered, I am being delivered, and I will be delivered..." 

The grammar used in this passage implies a past, present, and future tense all at the same time. Well, I believe, "I have been healed, I am being healed, and I will be healed." I feel good - no symptoms. In fact, if it wasn't for the medical images and the biopsy I would not know I was sick. Hmmm.

Thank you to all of you, family, friends, and fellowship, who are walking with us in this journey of faith and life. You bless us and we feel your prayers sustaining us. We are so grateful for you. Thank you for the cards and emails and texts and phone calls of encouragement and love. In my "intake" interview at MD Anderson today they asked me if I have a good support system. I answered with a resounding, "Yes!" because of you.

My prayer is that God would richly bless you through this walk of faith also. We worship a great God.

In Gratefulness,

Greg