Hello Friends,
Grace
and peace to you! It has been quite some time since I updated this
blog. The past several weeks have been full of research, contemplation
and much prayer.
As
you may remember, I have been deciding on my "coarse of action," so to
speak. When you get this kind of cancer diagnosis there are many options
to consider: pharmaceutical drugs, natural therapies, changes in
lifestyle, etc.
In
the past month we have consulted with a well-known naturopathic
physician in Phoenix who deals primarily with cancer. We've also visited
an integrative health clinic in California that pulls together natural
therapies AND conventional cancer treatment. And, of course, I continue
to see my regular doctors and my oncologist at Banner MD Anderson.
What
I have learned is this: everybody has a different method of how to
treat cancer. Our table is stacked with books, tapes and articles about
cancer. Jeane has done most of the reading and she could probably tell
you about 50 different cancer treatments throughout the world, ranging
from conventional types to alternative treatments that are only
available overseas. Some are way too expensive and complicated; others,
well, involve something simple like drinking a special blend of tea.
Most people back up their claims with either research...or
testimonies...or both.
Which
brings me to another testimony: the testimony of my faith. In
Revelations 12:11 it says, "They overcame him [the accuser] by the blood
of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." Wow. How powerful is
that? It sounds simple enough, and certainly without adverse side
effects. We are given a mighty arsenal to use against things like this.
Isn't
that how it goes? We search and search, and come back around to where
we started: our lives are held together by God alone.
In
the grace of God we find it is still our heart to ask what lessons God
wants to teach us from these difficult times. It is our God-story, after
all, and we want to learn from it. Here are some of my thoughts:
We
all know the story about the battle of Jericho. (Read about it in
Joshua, chapter 6.) Joshua and his small army of men march around the
city of Jericho seven times, blow their trumpets, give a shout, and the
walls come a' tumbling down. Don't you wish all our battles were as easy
as that?
I
recently taught on the battle of Jericho and I discovered something
interesting that I had never paid much attention to. It is what happened
to Joshua before he got his "battle orders" from God. Prior to the
battle of Jericho, Joshua had a visitor.
Now
when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in
front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and
asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
"Neither,"
he replied, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come."
Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him,
"What message does my Lord have for his servant?"
The
commander of the Lord's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the
place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
Joshua 5:13-15
There are all sorts of wonderful things to learn from this story, but I will spare you my entire sermon. (Whew!)
I
feel a little bit like Joshua. I'm facing a battle, and I'm flat on my
face asking, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?" Opinions
abound, but I need to take my marching orders from God, realizing that I
am standing on holy ground. I need to bow facedown before the commander
of the Lord's army.
Why?
Because when he tells me to march around this cancer seven times and
play musical instruments and shout praises to God, I need to do just
that. And so I have been listening for his words and direction.
Here's some of my "battle plan" so far:
Soon
Jeane and I will be going to California to spend five days at an
integrative health clinic. Their approach is to focus on the whole body,
not just the tumors. Their goal is to change the "inner terrain" of the
body so it has the best possible chance to heal itself. (Makes sense to
me.) We do that by bringing the body back to an oxygenated and
alkalized state.There are also various immune-boosting therapies and
supplements. We'll be coached on environmental, lifestyle and food
issues that affect cancer outcomes as well.
I am looking forward to the chance to simply have a week away from home to concentrate on my health.
At
this writing I am also planning to start Sutent, the drug I mentioned
earlier in a blog. It is not a cure, but it sometimes helps to stop the
growth of kidney cancer, or even cause it to recede. We will see how I
tolerate it. I am not of the mindset to make myself sick when I'm not
feeling sick.
I
continue to feel well physically and I have no pain. Because of my
changes in diet I have lost a total of 30 pounds since last December. My
blood sugars and triglycerides have gone down--all good.
I
did a second comparative MRI on my thigh two weeks ago and in two
months' time there was very little change in the status of the tumor.
They called it "stable" according to some markers like inflammation,
fluid, and the like. I take that as a little bright spot of
encouragement. I actually think the prayers of God's people have put a
hedge around the tumors so they can't grow anymore. Next phase for them
is to wither and die like the fig tree in Matthew. So let's go, team,
and continue to stand down the invasion of the evil cancer in Jesus'
name.
While
on this journey of faith I am so grateful to be able to rely on your
prayers to sustain me. I continue to walk in the "healing presence" of
my heavenly father as I take up the sword of the Spirit to fight this
and do battle for my life.
So
many of you have sent words of encouragement and support, and they mean
so much. The fellowship here has continued to hold prayer meetings for
me. Along with your prayers I am uplifted. Thank you, thank you, thank
you.
I will write more soon. God's blessings to you.
Greg
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