June 1st - Blog Update from Greg

June 1, 2012

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