As I reflect back on 2017, a plethora of thoughts and emotions come to mind. Kelly and I have seen an awful lot of ground covered, growth both together and spiritually, experienced family events, cancer, and our lives uprooted and moved to an island in beautiful NC. Here is the short list I threw together of things that happened in 2017...
January - Discovery of an 8cm tumor in Jan, revived an important dead relationship.
February - Failed upper left lung lobectomy with on the spot non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis (pics of cells and on site pathology) and given 6-12 months to live for Valentine's Day, evicted dead beat tenant from townhouse in Feb, GBPC church stepped in and helped us repair all of the damage and ultimately sell the place later in Apr. Incredible outpouring of prayer for us.
March - Inconclusive lab work on non-small cell diagnosis, trip to MD Anderson which confirmed it (PRAYERS BY MANY ANSWERED), Sunny dog died after 14 years upon returning from MD Anderson.
April - Began cancer support ministry at GBPC in April, Cinnamon (13 year old Golden retriever) mysteriously dies of lung cancer just after I was cleared.
May - Decided to build a house and move to Currituck NC on the water in May, Megan graduates PT school and gets married in May, finally went on our honeymoon a year late to Antigua, large dosages of Prednisone (80mg/day) to try to kill off unknown tumor May - July.
June and July - prepped 2 houses to sell in August. Chesapeake house and the Jellyfish in KDH. thank goodness for Prednisone.
August - Open chest lobectomy round 2 in August successful, met with Joel Osteen, diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer in August no trace of non-small cell present from pics earlier, in Houston for hurricane Harvey, sold primary residence in Chesapeake and moved to a 900 sq ft apartment and loaded up storage in August.
September - Kelly's father dies in September at his home in Dallas, closed OBX Paddle Company with minimal profits (but no loss), began 6-cycle EPOCH-R chemo 3 weeks/cycle regime. Sold Jellyfish house in KDH, completed 4 month summer rental season (blessed with great renters again this year) over on 4th st in KDH all summer.
October - I went to ER in Oct due to chemo reaction, Kati announces that she pregnant with grandchild #3 due in June 2018, Jim hit on 464 in minor accident returning to work from chemo.
November - Achieved half way point for chemo treatment Thanksgiving week. Clear PET and CT scans showing no cancer.
December - Closed on new dream house on water and moved in (thanks for all the help to some great friends from church), our new nephew Elliot was born. 5 of 6 chemo cycles complete.
Whew...what a year! I'd raise a glass (or a few) of my favorite, but this Nuelasta shot I get post chemo treatment prevents any such fun!
Through it all I have to say it was one of the craziest, but best years ever...A blessed plight. It was not easy going through it, and there is still more to go as I sit here writing during the last drip of cycle 5 of chemo, with cycle 6 looming 3 weeks out and a couple procedures I have to get done in early 2018. However, 2017 was a year of massive growth for me mentally and spiritually. Being told you are going to die soon presents you with a choice of how you will handle it. I am happy to say that I ran to God, and He gave me the faith and attitude that I needed when I asked. I showed up with far too little of each, and because of God I have plenty. I will also testify to my favorite verse in the Bible [ Isaiah 40:31 ] being 100% true. If you are willing to place your faith and hope in God, He will renew your strength when you need it. He will position you to soar on wings of eagles. You will not grow weary. You will not faint. Go fight the long, hard, good fight, and win with God. It may not go how you thought it was going to go, but by committing to God and His divine purpose you will come out on top.
Looking into 2018....
I have to get my trachea scarring issue fixed and regain proper air flow beyond the 60% it is now, get rid of this stupid chemo port (Kelly - another new souvenir Christmas ornament!), get running and conditioning, and go run the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon once again in defiance of a health issue. My current assessment is that will be a challenge as I get winded walking up stairs now, but with Christ I can so all things [ Phil 4:13 ]. The 2 previous times were a heart issue in 2005, and when I ran in my daughter's place in 2007 when she blew her knee out. As it turns out. I won the 16-year old girls bracket that year. In 2018 I pray that I will run it in at least the same or better time, even with 1/2 a left lung, a repaired trachea, and a newly recovered immune system this coming spring.
Once I get the clean bill of health and my immune system comes back, God has put what I believe to be a vision in me, to go create a new mission trip where we can work to build a relationship with a group of people in a different country. From what I have seen they could really use a hand. It would be great to come along side a church there and hopefully help take it from devastation and grow it into something great on the power of God, for the glory of God, for those people. I plan to embark on scouting out that journey in May if all works out well, and God points us there. I can not wait to get the clean bill of health, walk away from cancer for good having learned and grown much in 2017, and go begin to fulfill the next chapter of my God given purpose in 2018, and beyond.
See you on the beach in KDH this coming summer. Bring your SUP or kayak, spear gun, and snorkel gear. Assuming we get a prevailing east wind and warm clear waters to follow, me and Jake the Viking will be out on the wreck at MP 7 getting dinner.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Friday, October 13, 2017
1 cycle down 5 to go.
This morning was the final check for cycle 1 of my 6 cycle chemo regime. Each cycle consists of 5 days on and 16 days off (3 weeks), a Neulasta injection in week 2, and as of now I know WAY more than I ever thought I would about chemo.
The short story is it has been a relatively easy 1st cycle, which is to be expected I am told, since it takes multiple cycles for the big cumulative effects to build up in one's body, as well as the ramp up in quantity of drugs administered. However, putting 3,350ml of weird chemicals to kill cancer into your body is certainly not without its effects. So I guess I write both to those who have asked, "how's it going?" as well as to those who may be entering into a chemo regime.
As I have mentioned to many, there are many types of chemos out there, and often they differ quite a bit. I am on DA-EPOCH-R which is the tried and hopefully true treatment plan for NHL B cell patients. Specifically, I have primary mediastinal diffuse large B cell NHL (Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma). EPOCH-R is the preferred method over the standard Lymphoma R-CHOP.
Day 1-5 I am blessed with 5 days of a 100mg dose of Prednisone (NO! not again!). Then its chemo first thing Monday morning with an 850ml bag dripping for 4-5 hours into my chemo port which was installed under my skin just below my right side clavicle a few weeks back. They have nice reclining chairs at Va oncology and make things pretty comfortable, but man is it weird watching this stuff drip into you day 1. I was actually able to work from the clinic with a laptop, their wifi, and some headphones which makes the time fly by. As a hint, for anyone about to enter this sort of thing headphones are a good idea as you will be in a room full of people also getting chemo who speak at different volumes with all kinds of different content, share their music with you, and so on. After that, I get a to-go order of a red 500ml solution which pumps from a bag into me for 24 hours while I work, sleep, and carry on as usual. I go back to the docs office 24 hours later and get another to-go bag of joy and repeat this through Thursday's to go bag of joy. Friday they disconnect me from the bag, do a final different 500ml drip onsite, for about an hour or so, and then I am done for the 5 days.
I cannot tell you how liberating the Friday afternoon session is to get rid of the to-go bag of joy fun for the week, get my last drip done, and bust out for the weekend. With that comes a pretty cool system where they do a time released injection of Neulasta, which fires Saturday evening for 45 minutes and pushes 6mg of that drug into your arm. It is essentially a patch which has a circuit board, the drug, a needle, and a beeper to let you know when it starts and stops. Very cool...very expensive. That runs about $8k per injection. Its $7k to go in, so what the heck...? With each 3 week cycle running $60k or so what's another grand between friends to not have to go back on Saturday evening.
Day 7 Sunday - the Neulasta kicks in. I experienced an elevated heart rate (100-120 bpm relaxed), which freaked me out, I wound up in the ER where they ran some tests, and then I got sent home. That elevated heart rate is an allergic reaction to the drug and of course is rare. Why is it that I always wind up being the anomaly? At any rate, Neulasta is a wonder drug, aside from its side effects, that causes your white blood cell count, which have been nuked by chemo, to go way up fast...Like 3-4x what it normally would be way up. That essentially puts your immune system back on track temporarily which is nice if you want to stay active, out, and about.
Day 8 - 12...Neulasta is beating a brother down. Bone pain, which is the most common side effect, and is due to your bone marrow producing white blood cells and getting your immune system back on track. The back pain escalated up through Friday at which point they gave me stronger pain meds to help me sleep and function more easily. [hint] Get these earlier than the Friday after chemo is done (7 days later) and you will likely sleep better all week and not get to this point.
Then, like nothing happened, I woke up on day 13 of cycle 1 [Saturday] at 100% in Kill Devil Hills. Was this all a dream? :-) Anyway, no back pain, no need for meds, nothing. WOW...Now this sounds like a good day to go out on the beach, drink beer, stay up late with friends, and generally speaking totally over do it in celebration, and hope for the best! Ok maybe not my brightest move, but come on, give me a break! Lesson learned...take it easy and cut the go wild thing.
Days 14 - Day 19 [today] - I have had a little back pain, tapered back off of the stronger pain meds, and generally done fine. Bring on tomorrow!
All in all, Isaiah 40:31 is my verse and it works. Faith and hope in the Lord, leaning on family and great friends, and the one thing I can control...my attitude, remain the key elements to get through this and as the verse says, soar on wings of eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint.
The short story is it has been a relatively easy 1st cycle, which is to be expected I am told, since it takes multiple cycles for the big cumulative effects to build up in one's body, as well as the ramp up in quantity of drugs administered. However, putting 3,350ml of weird chemicals to kill cancer into your body is certainly not without its effects. So I guess I write both to those who have asked, "how's it going?" as well as to those who may be entering into a chemo regime.
As I have mentioned to many, there are many types of chemos out there, and often they differ quite a bit. I am on DA-EPOCH-R which is the tried and hopefully true treatment plan for NHL B cell patients. Specifically, I have primary mediastinal diffuse large B cell NHL (Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma). EPOCH-R is the preferred method over the standard Lymphoma R-CHOP.
Day 1-5 I am blessed with 5 days of a 100mg dose of Prednisone (NO! not again!). Then its chemo first thing Monday morning with an 850ml bag dripping for 4-5 hours into my chemo port which was installed under my skin just below my right side clavicle a few weeks back. They have nice reclining chairs at Va oncology and make things pretty comfortable, but man is it weird watching this stuff drip into you day 1. I was actually able to work from the clinic with a laptop, their wifi, and some headphones which makes the time fly by. As a hint, for anyone about to enter this sort of thing headphones are a good idea as you will be in a room full of people also getting chemo who speak at different volumes with all kinds of different content, share their music with you, and so on. After that, I get a to-go order of a red 500ml solution which pumps from a bag into me for 24 hours while I work, sleep, and carry on as usual. I go back to the docs office 24 hours later and get another to-go bag of joy and repeat this through Thursday's to go bag of joy. Friday they disconnect me from the bag, do a final different 500ml drip onsite, for about an hour or so, and then I am done for the 5 days.
I cannot tell you how liberating the Friday afternoon session is to get rid of the to-go bag of joy fun for the week, get my last drip done, and bust out for the weekend. With that comes a pretty cool system where they do a time released injection of Neulasta, which fires Saturday evening for 45 minutes and pushes 6mg of that drug into your arm. It is essentially a patch which has a circuit board, the drug, a needle, and a beeper to let you know when it starts and stops. Very cool...very expensive. That runs about $8k per injection. Its $7k to go in, so what the heck...? With each 3 week cycle running $60k or so what's another grand between friends to not have to go back on Saturday evening.
Day 7 Sunday - the Neulasta kicks in. I experienced an elevated heart rate (100-120 bpm relaxed), which freaked me out, I wound up in the ER where they ran some tests, and then I got sent home. That elevated heart rate is an allergic reaction to the drug and of course is rare. Why is it that I always wind up being the anomaly? At any rate, Neulasta is a wonder drug, aside from its side effects, that causes your white blood cell count, which have been nuked by chemo, to go way up fast...Like 3-4x what it normally would be way up. That essentially puts your immune system back on track temporarily which is nice if you want to stay active, out, and about.
Day 8 - 12...Neulasta is beating a brother down. Bone pain, which is the most common side effect, and is due to your bone marrow producing white blood cells and getting your immune system back on track. The back pain escalated up through Friday at which point they gave me stronger pain meds to help me sleep and function more easily. [hint] Get these earlier than the Friday after chemo is done (7 days later) and you will likely sleep better all week and not get to this point.
Then, like nothing happened, I woke up on day 13 of cycle 1 [Saturday] at 100% in Kill Devil Hills. Was this all a dream? :-) Anyway, no back pain, no need for meds, nothing. WOW...Now this sounds like a good day to go out on the beach, drink beer, stay up late with friends, and generally speaking totally over do it in celebration, and hope for the best! Ok maybe not my brightest move, but come on, give me a break! Lesson learned...take it easy and cut the go wild thing.
Days 14 - Day 19 [today] - I have had a little back pain, tapered back off of the stronger pain meds, and generally done fine. Bring on tomorrow!
All in all, Isaiah 40:31 is my verse and it works. Faith and hope in the Lord, leaning on family and great friends, and the one thing I can control...my attitude, remain the key elements to get through this and as the verse says, soar on wings of eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint.
Monday, August 28, 2017
Status and treatment plans
It dawned on me that I have not provided much detail on the diagnosis and what we know about treatment. So for those interested in the deets here they are:
- First, and foremost, I am extremely thankful to my sister-in-law for hooking us up with Dr Fayad. https://faculty.mdanderson.org/profiles/luis_fayad.html He is obviously very experienced and well published, and has a great sense of humor to boot. My kind of doc. He will QB the process from MD Anderson.
- The actual treatment will be in Va Beach with Va Oncology and we think Dr Lee who was my doc back when we thought this was non-small cell lung cancer. We are still working on getting in with him soon, through some friends close to the group.
- I will be on R-EPOCH which is a pretty intense chemo regime where I will be in the hospital hooked up to a bag for 5 straight days. I then get 2 weeks off. Then repeat for 3 cycles and go back to Houston for another work up. I am told that Rituximab, which is a bio drug, is a key drug in this mix.
- Work ups include a bone marrow aspiration and bone biopsy which is essentially taking a core out of the back side of my pelvis bone (they should offer this at Sandals. it is a real treat). PET Scan, blood work, and I think ECG and EKG. From there Dr. Fayad can eval me and figure out if I need 3 more cycles. At this point he has said it will likely be 6 cycles.
That's about it. Once we figure out what hospital and when and all that, we will communicate that out. Please feel free to come visit. Staring at walls, and the boob tube on the wall, is going to be boring!
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Sometimes you just have to go through it
As I sit here watching the news reports from Hurricane Harvey and all of the flooding in the Houston area, I reflect on not just the storm and how blessed we are to be high and dry as of 11am this Sunday morning, but also my medical situation. Many in the area have lost everything except their lives. Massive devastation here for millions. While my prayer is that the water not infiltrate this house, on a much greater scale and perspective, I also pray for so many who have suffered catastrophic loss.
With regard to my medical sitch, lots of unknowns and attempts to resolve my tumor leading up to mid August to no avail. So, we decided to come to MD Anderson and have the open chest upper left lung lobectomy procedure done. We, along with so many praying for me, asked God for a miracle to take the tumor away, and as it turns out that that was to happen via God's sovereign hand in the surgery and not via a non-surgical miraculous healing. The tumor is malignant and I was diagnosed with Non-Hodkin's Lymphoma on Thursday at 2pm per a call from our surgeon's office reporting pathology findings. It sounds like it is treatable and there is a 93% cure rate via intense chemo. So, while chemo does not fix many types of cancer much of the time, it would seem that in this particular type it has good results. I am very blessed to have these odds at a cure. With other forms of cancer, this is not the case.
Sometimes you just have to go through it....
I am reminded of Acts 27 when we find Paul telling the people who were to take him to Rome in a ship that there is going to be a shipwreck and they should not go. No one listened to him and sure enough they wound up shipwrecked off of Malta. The sailors planned to kill all of the prisoners, but they did not. God provided Paul and the other prisoners with favor in the storm via a Centurion who prevented the sailors from carrying out their plan to kill the prisoners. Once he reached land, Paul gets to work helping out and winds up getting bit by a viper while helping out with building a fire. At first the islanders thought that Paul was a murderer because of his plight of being bit my a venomous snake, but he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no effects from the bite. Paul then proceeds to heal the chief official's father who was sick by praying to God and using the very hand that was bitten. After that the islanders provided everything they needed to get back to sailing to Rome. God used a terrible shipwreck where valuable cargo was lost, reversed a plan to kill Paul, a near death experience in the storm, a snake bite, and then used the very hand that was afflicted by the bite to heal and show the people of Malta who God is through Paul's obedience in the storm. It was God's will, and it just had to be for the people of Malta.
The one thing that sticks out to me is Paul's great attitude. He is a great example of how to keep calm, keep the faith, help out where he saw opportunity, and trust in the Lord completely. So often, we find ourselves in a bad situation, and only looking at our immediate surroundings and falling into a pattern of worry and asking God to get us out of this mess. If we follow Paul's example, we can look beyond, and look at Jesus for greater perspective and grow in the storm. God's purpose for the shipwreck was clearly so that the people of Malta could be saved. And then the end result is that the sailors heading to Rome were provided with everything that they needed to get back to sailing. A clear example of what our role is, and what God's role is. We are in charge of our obedience and He is in charge of the outcome of our situation. Seek God first (Mat 6:33), help others when you can in the storm, be a good example (Acts 27,28), and God has a way of providing favor in the storm (Isa 43) and working things out for His glory and our good (Rom 8:28).
As difficult as it may be for those who suffer from cancer or other afflictions to do, there is often opportunity to stay positive, celebrate seeing God's hand at work in the storm, and the favor He provides. I look to Isaiah 43 where God promises favor in the storm. For example verse 2 says "When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you will not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."
I have been so blessed through this whole blessed plight of the tumor and now cancer. All the way back to March and the first appointment that Kelly's sister Krista got me with the lung cancer oncologist and then the thoracic surgeon just a couple days after we decided to come to MD Anderson. She got us hooked in with one of the best chest surgeons in the world. Then this past month I had my chest opened up and the upper left lobe of my lung successfully removed. God's healing hand was on me and I got off of the narcotic pain killers in 3 days, and managed to be able to walk roughly 3 miles comfortably just a week after surgery. I have also been able to go through testing (bone marrow core aspiration / bone sample, ECG, PET Scan) requiring me to lay on my chest and rib cage and raise my arms over my head. Incredibly fast healing and clearly the hand of God at work. I got to peek at my Xray, and the tech and I were not able to see any trace of surgery on my sternum 7 days after surgery. An incredibly successful surgery and God at work.
Another example of God working out favor in the storm was that we got the call telling us the pathology results on Thursday at 2pm. Because of my sister-in-law Krista we were sitting with the lead Lymphoma oncologist at MD Anderson who has 100+ published papers and decades of experience at 4pm that day. He ordered a battery of tests, and by 1pm on Friday (less than 24 hours later) God orchestrated that all of it would be done, and done early, because of cancellations due to the hurricane. We got through a bone marrow aspiration, bone sample, EKG, ECG, XRay, and a PET Scan on Friday morning in time to grab a late lunch at 1pm in the cafeteria. I was afforded the chance to witness to God's healing hand from the surgery to several doctors and nurses who were amazed that I had been through an open chest operation just 7 days before. All glory be to God!
I guess the flooding is a similar experience for my sister-in-law and her husband Chris. They have a beautiful house in a nice suburb here in Houston and while there is clear and present danger of water infiltrating the house and ruining a lot of really nice stuff, Krista remains focused on those who have lost it all, a lady who is pregnant and was due to induce this week next door, people that need things like insulin, and so on. A remarkable demonstration of perspective in the storm. I guess nurses just have that...especially those that work at MD Anderson and see a lot of tough stuff.
Sometimes you just have to go though it for a greater cause...
With regard to my medical sitch, lots of unknowns and attempts to resolve my tumor leading up to mid August to no avail. So, we decided to come to MD Anderson and have the open chest upper left lung lobectomy procedure done. We, along with so many praying for me, asked God for a miracle to take the tumor away, and as it turns out that that was to happen via God's sovereign hand in the surgery and not via a non-surgical miraculous healing. The tumor is malignant and I was diagnosed with Non-Hodkin's Lymphoma on Thursday at 2pm per a call from our surgeon's office reporting pathology findings. It sounds like it is treatable and there is a 93% cure rate via intense chemo. So, while chemo does not fix many types of cancer much of the time, it would seem that in this particular type it has good results. I am very blessed to have these odds at a cure. With other forms of cancer, this is not the case.
Sometimes you just have to go through it....
I am reminded of Acts 27 when we find Paul telling the people who were to take him to Rome in a ship that there is going to be a shipwreck and they should not go. No one listened to him and sure enough they wound up shipwrecked off of Malta. The sailors planned to kill all of the prisoners, but they did not. God provided Paul and the other prisoners with favor in the storm via a Centurion who prevented the sailors from carrying out their plan to kill the prisoners. Once he reached land, Paul gets to work helping out and winds up getting bit by a viper while helping out with building a fire. At first the islanders thought that Paul was a murderer because of his plight of being bit my a venomous snake, but he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no effects from the bite. Paul then proceeds to heal the chief official's father who was sick by praying to God and using the very hand that was bitten. After that the islanders provided everything they needed to get back to sailing to Rome. God used a terrible shipwreck where valuable cargo was lost, reversed a plan to kill Paul, a near death experience in the storm, a snake bite, and then used the very hand that was afflicted by the bite to heal and show the people of Malta who God is through Paul's obedience in the storm. It was God's will, and it just had to be for the people of Malta.
The one thing that sticks out to me is Paul's great attitude. He is a great example of how to keep calm, keep the faith, help out where he saw opportunity, and trust in the Lord completely. So often, we find ourselves in a bad situation, and only looking at our immediate surroundings and falling into a pattern of worry and asking God to get us out of this mess. If we follow Paul's example, we can look beyond, and look at Jesus for greater perspective and grow in the storm. God's purpose for the shipwreck was clearly so that the people of Malta could be saved. And then the end result is that the sailors heading to Rome were provided with everything that they needed to get back to sailing. A clear example of what our role is, and what God's role is. We are in charge of our obedience and He is in charge of the outcome of our situation. Seek God first (Mat 6:33), help others when you can in the storm, be a good example (Acts 27,28), and God has a way of providing favor in the storm (Isa 43) and working things out for His glory and our good (Rom 8:28).
As difficult as it may be for those who suffer from cancer or other afflictions to do, there is often opportunity to stay positive, celebrate seeing God's hand at work in the storm, and the favor He provides. I look to Isaiah 43 where God promises favor in the storm. For example verse 2 says "When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you will not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."
I have been so blessed through this whole blessed plight of the tumor and now cancer. All the way back to March and the first appointment that Kelly's sister Krista got me with the lung cancer oncologist and then the thoracic surgeon just a couple days after we decided to come to MD Anderson. She got us hooked in with one of the best chest surgeons in the world. Then this past month I had my chest opened up and the upper left lobe of my lung successfully removed. God's healing hand was on me and I got off of the narcotic pain killers in 3 days, and managed to be able to walk roughly 3 miles comfortably just a week after surgery. I have also been able to go through testing (bone marrow core aspiration / bone sample, ECG, PET Scan) requiring me to lay on my chest and rib cage and raise my arms over my head. Incredibly fast healing and clearly the hand of God at work. I got to peek at my Xray, and the tech and I were not able to see any trace of surgery on my sternum 7 days after surgery. An incredibly successful surgery and God at work.
Another example of God working out favor in the storm was that we got the call telling us the pathology results on Thursday at 2pm. Because of my sister-in-law Krista we were sitting with the lead Lymphoma oncologist at MD Anderson who has 100+ published papers and decades of experience at 4pm that day. He ordered a battery of tests, and by 1pm on Friday (less than 24 hours later) God orchestrated that all of it would be done, and done early, because of cancellations due to the hurricane. We got through a bone marrow aspiration, bone sample, EKG, ECG, XRay, and a PET Scan on Friday morning in time to grab a late lunch at 1pm in the cafeteria. I was afforded the chance to witness to God's healing hand from the surgery to several doctors and nurses who were amazed that I had been through an open chest operation just 7 days before. All glory be to God!
I guess the flooding is a similar experience for my sister-in-law and her husband Chris. They have a beautiful house in a nice suburb here in Houston and while there is clear and present danger of water infiltrating the house and ruining a lot of really nice stuff, Krista remains focused on those who have lost it all, a lady who is pregnant and was due to induce this week next door, people that need things like insulin, and so on. A remarkable demonstration of perspective in the storm. I guess nurses just have that...especially those that work at MD Anderson and see a lot of tough stuff.
Sometimes you just have to go though it for a greater cause...
Saturday, April 29, 2017
W.A.I.T. (Worried, Anxious, Impatient, Tired?)
Since the its not cancer good news, I have been frustrated with the lack of progress on my lung tumor shrinking over the past month and the prescription of 80mg of Prednisone that I get to take daily. I wound up reaching the point of talking to some people about the lack of any progress over the past week or so. Thanks to those who were willing to listen to me throw up in your ear.
On the positive peripheral benefits side, I have been on Prednisone for the last month and I have to say, when it comes to prepping 2 houses for sale, there is no better prescription with which to be saddled. Big appetite, no sleep, and a whirlwind of activity. With that goes crankier than usual (sorry Kelly) and seemingly not being able to keep up physically with one's mind racing constantly. At any rate, the Prednisone is supposed to help my immune system battle this 8cm Inflammatory Pseudotumor (medical lingo generic bucket for the unknown) which has apparently declared squatter's rights in the top lobe of my left lung. I had some odd symptoms a couple weeks ago that led me to an XRay which revealed no change after a couple weeks on the meds. Breathing has not improved, the coughing is still there, and i can feel it in there every so often which is irritating so say the least. I have faithfully followed the orders and prescription daily, and I see no change for the past month. I have prayed constantly for healing and seen no change. The docs say that it takes time, but time? A month and NO change? really? The docs keep checking up with it takes time...How about we get down to brass tacks and get some resolution here!? It isn't working yet, and I am not hearing any reasonable solutions aside from do the partial open chest thoracotomy lung lobectomy which will immobilize me mid rental season in OBX, trying to prep to sell two houses and moving to temp space and then to our new house, and generally suck beyond all belief well into mid summer. I "vent-digress".
So back to this past week. I wound up speaking with some really wise people as I mentioned, and took the opportunity to throw up in their ear. I also went to God and asked Him, "what is up with this?" I remember saying, "You healed me from my death sentence I was given in February, I know you can heal this tumor whether through drugs, miracle, or some other way, I believe that you will do it again, and nothing...<crickets chirping>." I got done with my rather spirited prayer, with God, of iterating through my list of grievances with how God is not working fast enough for me. Isn't that cool how we can go to God with that kind of stuff? :-) I have to think that He is totally cool with that if you ever need to just blow up at Him. He's God. Just be respectful, say your piece and move on to accepting His plan...its for your own good. With that you may get the benefit of learning more about your situation in ways you may not expect, but I am confident that God gets that we are human since he created us an all, and is much bigger than being shaken by a child of His having a fit, once in a blue. So anyway, what's up with this? Why is there no progress? Oddly, I wound up with a fever of 101 Wednesday night which was the shaking I think I may have needed. This was no sleep all night, wringing wet like just ran through a car wash night sweats. Remember I said you may get to learn beyond what you expect...? Night sweats can mean a lot of things. I used to get them every night earlier leading up to and just after surgery. It could be a bug, it could be some kind of inflammation or infection, or it can also be a symptom of cancer. Fever is the body fighting. I do not know what happened, but by morning I had no fever and as luck would have it next to no sleep, but I assure you I was really nice to Kelly and everyone else, all day. :-) ok I may need to ask to be forgiven for that lie. The tumor is still there and causing breathing issues so that did not end, but the message of wake up and get in line with me seemed to be ringing in my head pretty loud. Today I am back to usual status, and have not had any night sweats since Wednesday. whew!
INTROSPECTION...
In my situation, I found myself cheating on my less or no sugar diet which are known inflammatory antigens, taking in too many carbs, and generally thinking, this is all going to be good I just need to get through it. Things like celebrations would happen and I would eat like 8 cup cakes because that was to be "a cheat day". Or beers on the weekend, or whatever. However, the truth is that is not being a good steward of ones health and body, if you know that what you are eating could be causing inflammation issues with what has been labeled as an inflammatory tumor, you may be the problem. With that I noted the erosion of the good work that had been done in me through this blessed plight, and I noted some sliding back. Perhaps you other very busy people out there are familiar with them...road rage, impatience, short temper, and so on. Net net, I was getting way too comfortable in this insanely busy time with houses and church groups, etc.
Then I started to wonder am I doing something that is blocking my progress, or am I not doing something that I should be doing. For example in Mark 11:25 we are commanded to go forgive others immediately after Jesus says believe and whatever you ask for in my name you will have. I remember pursuing people that I needed to reconcile with as I was advised by a brilliant healing preacher woman named Edith. When you are a person who works hard and likes to see the results of your work, you can quickly get to maybe I am not working hard enough to "earn it". God doesn't work on "earn it", however. God wants us to abide, but He also does not mandate a score card where we have to perform to meet His standard. As Christians, we already have the standard. It is Jesus. We are redeemed and made perfect in the eye of God by His own sacrifice. Change habits to abide more closely, possibly, but earn it, isn't the answer. I once heard someone say, the best barometer of your spiritual health is your prayer life. Well, I can't say mine was improving. In fact I found myself rushing through it sometimes. So the reality is, it had started to fade. Don't be afraid of a good gut check every once in a while. We can reap a lot of benefit from introspection. And our warts are not as bad as they may seem, but we have to remain committed and work at it.
Isn't it interesting how this process works. There is always that little thing that devolves into another, and that into another, and so on. I think comfort is a state where we are particularly vulnerable. I can't say I was ever really comfortable with having the tumor, but it was such a relief to get the "it isn't cancer (anymore) and we don't know why thing from the docs" that I got "comfortable". John Ortberg wrote a book called "The Me I want to Be" where he has one of my favorite quotes of all time. "The pursuit of comfort leads to isolation. And isolation is terminal." As we extrapolate from that, when we are comfortable, we tend to devolve to self, or perhaps more bluntly, a path of isolation from God. When we get there we open ourselves to listen, hear, and act upon influence which make us want to take control, even well into instances where we have none. As we analyze our circumstances, we often can iterate, albeit ad nauseum in tough situations, which can devolve into worry. We may even give our issue to God, only to take it back, then give it back, etc amid our state of processing. As we worry, we get more and more impatient when there isn't an outcome of our desired result, or for that matter any result, when we find ourselves in the echo chamber of waiting. That wears on the soul which leads to fatigue and just getting run down and tired.
THE GIFT OF WAITING...
W.A.I.T. as i have "acronymed" it in the title of this blog is the classic human form of wait, when it is something really big. You have to love how God can use our hardworking good intentions nature gone amok, to develop us. So what is the remedy for this inherent problem afflicting the human race, as we happen upon big stuff in our lives?
Galatians 5:22,23 includes one fruit which is patience, or long-suffering, or forbearance in other translations. Why do you suppose that God would put that there as a fruit of the spirit seemingly derived from the first which is love? I don't know that I have that answer, but what I do know is that it is there and it is something that will come from the Spirit. So it has value, and it is something that will have to be developed by God in us. If I ask myself what is at the core of patience? I arrive at trust. It is when I do not trust that the outcome will be suitable that I am most likely to work to intervene in attempt to impact the outcome to my desired result. The issue with that is, if it is a situation beyond my control, and I have given it to God, God does not need my help. So, if I do not trust Him and I continue to work to impact the outcome, I am pretty much on my own as I take things back from Him to impact.
I was in a conversation with a friend named Lisa about a song that I really like called Vertigo by U2 the other day. I think that most people don't realize that Bono makes yet another biblical reference in this song. "Uno, dos, tres, catorce" or as translated, 1,2,3,14. I have read that this is in reference to the 1st testament, 2nd book, 3rd chapter, 14th verse which is Exodus 3:14 where God is telling Moses "I AM" and to go tell the people you are about to be rescued from slavery in Egypt after all these centuries. As I contrast the two ways to wait (human vs. with God) I am reminded that with the great I AM, is the answer. My favorite verse Isaiah 40:31 opens with those who wait upon (or have hope in) the Lord will be renewed in their strength. They will soar on wings of eagles. There is power in waiting faithfully. It is not easy, and sometimes it is just grueling but in the end, those who wait faithfully will soar. At times, waiting requires us to just sit still and wait. I am reminded of Job who lost it all and waited and waited and waited, until finally breakthrough and he was rewarded double for his trouble in Job 42:10 after praying for his friends that looked to condemn him, as is also mentioned in Zechariah 9:12 in a different, but similar count of waiting. But that time in the middle is hard. Psalm 46:10 is another instance where the great I AM says be still and wait on me, it is going to be worth it. In each case full trust and surrender was required of the person waiting, and I believe that to be the case for us today. While let go, let God is easy to say, working to truly land there and then wait on God, offers reward in many ways.
As I sit here on my back deck at "the Jellyfish" in Kill Devil Hills today getting ready to spin up into "full Prednisone mode" painting, I reflect and press onward with long suffering (no laughing those who know me well), I am renewed in my faith that this tumor will pass and I will be restored to 100% and grown in some way well beyond just that.
#Isaiah40:31
On the positive peripheral benefits side, I have been on Prednisone for the last month and I have to say, when it comes to prepping 2 houses for sale, there is no better prescription with which to be saddled. Big appetite, no sleep, and a whirlwind of activity. With that goes crankier than usual (sorry Kelly) and seemingly not being able to keep up physically with one's mind racing constantly. At any rate, the Prednisone is supposed to help my immune system battle this 8cm Inflammatory Pseudotumor (medical lingo generic bucket for the unknown) which has apparently declared squatter's rights in the top lobe of my left lung. I had some odd symptoms a couple weeks ago that led me to an XRay which revealed no change after a couple weeks on the meds. Breathing has not improved, the coughing is still there, and i can feel it in there every so often which is irritating so say the least. I have faithfully followed the orders and prescription daily, and I see no change for the past month. I have prayed constantly for healing and seen no change. The docs say that it takes time, but time? A month and NO change? really? The docs keep checking up with it takes time...How about we get down to brass tacks and get some resolution here!? It isn't working yet, and I am not hearing any reasonable solutions aside from do the partial open chest thoracotomy lung lobectomy which will immobilize me mid rental season in OBX, trying to prep to sell two houses and moving to temp space and then to our new house, and generally suck beyond all belief well into mid summer. I "vent-digress".
So back to this past week. I wound up speaking with some really wise people as I mentioned, and took the opportunity to throw up in their ear. I also went to God and asked Him, "what is up with this?" I remember saying, "You healed me from my death sentence I was given in February, I know you can heal this tumor whether through drugs, miracle, or some other way, I believe that you will do it again, and nothing...<crickets chirping>." I got done with my rather spirited prayer, with God, of iterating through my list of grievances with how God is not working fast enough for me. Isn't that cool how we can go to God with that kind of stuff? :-) I have to think that He is totally cool with that if you ever need to just blow up at Him. He's God. Just be respectful, say your piece and move on to accepting His plan...its for your own good. With that you may get the benefit of learning more about your situation in ways you may not expect, but I am confident that God gets that we are human since he created us an all, and is much bigger than being shaken by a child of His having a fit, once in a blue. So anyway, what's up with this? Why is there no progress? Oddly, I wound up with a fever of 101 Wednesday night which was the shaking I think I may have needed. This was no sleep all night, wringing wet like just ran through a car wash night sweats. Remember I said you may get to learn beyond what you expect...? Night sweats can mean a lot of things. I used to get them every night earlier leading up to and just after surgery. It could be a bug, it could be some kind of inflammation or infection, or it can also be a symptom of cancer. Fever is the body fighting. I do not know what happened, but by morning I had no fever and as luck would have it next to no sleep, but I assure you I was really nice to Kelly and everyone else, all day. :-) ok I may need to ask to be forgiven for that lie. The tumor is still there and causing breathing issues so that did not end, but the message of wake up and get in line with me seemed to be ringing in my head pretty loud. Today I am back to usual status, and have not had any night sweats since Wednesday. whew!
INTROSPECTION...
In my situation, I found myself cheating on my less or no sugar diet which are known inflammatory antigens, taking in too many carbs, and generally thinking, this is all going to be good I just need to get through it. Things like celebrations would happen and I would eat like 8 cup cakes because that was to be "a cheat day". Or beers on the weekend, or whatever. However, the truth is that is not being a good steward of ones health and body, if you know that what you are eating could be causing inflammation issues with what has been labeled as an inflammatory tumor, you may be the problem. With that I noted the erosion of the good work that had been done in me through this blessed plight, and I noted some sliding back. Perhaps you other very busy people out there are familiar with them...road rage, impatience, short temper, and so on. Net net, I was getting way too comfortable in this insanely busy time with houses and church groups, etc.
Then I started to wonder am I doing something that is blocking my progress, or am I not doing something that I should be doing. For example in Mark 11:25 we are commanded to go forgive others immediately after Jesus says believe and whatever you ask for in my name you will have. I remember pursuing people that I needed to reconcile with as I was advised by a brilliant healing preacher woman named Edith. When you are a person who works hard and likes to see the results of your work, you can quickly get to maybe I am not working hard enough to "earn it". God doesn't work on "earn it", however. God wants us to abide, but He also does not mandate a score card where we have to perform to meet His standard. As Christians, we already have the standard. It is Jesus. We are redeemed and made perfect in the eye of God by His own sacrifice. Change habits to abide more closely, possibly, but earn it, isn't the answer. I once heard someone say, the best barometer of your spiritual health is your prayer life. Well, I can't say mine was improving. In fact I found myself rushing through it sometimes. So the reality is, it had started to fade. Don't be afraid of a good gut check every once in a while. We can reap a lot of benefit from introspection. And our warts are not as bad as they may seem, but we have to remain committed and work at it.
Isn't it interesting how this process works. There is always that little thing that devolves into another, and that into another, and so on. I think comfort is a state where we are particularly vulnerable. I can't say I was ever really comfortable with having the tumor, but it was such a relief to get the "it isn't cancer (anymore) and we don't know why thing from the docs" that I got "comfortable". John Ortberg wrote a book called "The Me I want to Be" where he has one of my favorite quotes of all time. "The pursuit of comfort leads to isolation. And isolation is terminal." As we extrapolate from that, when we are comfortable, we tend to devolve to self, or perhaps more bluntly, a path of isolation from God. When we get there we open ourselves to listen, hear, and act upon influence which make us want to take control, even well into instances where we have none. As we analyze our circumstances, we often can iterate, albeit ad nauseum in tough situations, which can devolve into worry. We may even give our issue to God, only to take it back, then give it back, etc amid our state of processing. As we worry, we get more and more impatient when there isn't an outcome of our desired result, or for that matter any result, when we find ourselves in the echo chamber of waiting. That wears on the soul which leads to fatigue and just getting run down and tired.
THE GIFT OF WAITING...
W.A.I.T. as i have "acronymed" it in the title of this blog is the classic human form of wait, when it is something really big. You have to love how God can use our hardworking good intentions nature gone amok, to develop us. So what is the remedy for this inherent problem afflicting the human race, as we happen upon big stuff in our lives?
Galatians 5:22,23 includes one fruit which is patience, or long-suffering, or forbearance in other translations. Why do you suppose that God would put that there as a fruit of the spirit seemingly derived from the first which is love? I don't know that I have that answer, but what I do know is that it is there and it is something that will come from the Spirit. So it has value, and it is something that will have to be developed by God in us. If I ask myself what is at the core of patience? I arrive at trust. It is when I do not trust that the outcome will be suitable that I am most likely to work to intervene in attempt to impact the outcome to my desired result. The issue with that is, if it is a situation beyond my control, and I have given it to God, God does not need my help. So, if I do not trust Him and I continue to work to impact the outcome, I am pretty much on my own as I take things back from Him to impact.
I was in a conversation with a friend named Lisa about a song that I really like called Vertigo by U2 the other day. I think that most people don't realize that Bono makes yet another biblical reference in this song. "Uno, dos, tres, catorce" or as translated, 1,2,3,14. I have read that this is in reference to the 1st testament, 2nd book, 3rd chapter, 14th verse which is Exodus 3:14 where God is telling Moses "I AM" and to go tell the people you are about to be rescued from slavery in Egypt after all these centuries. As I contrast the two ways to wait (human vs. with God) I am reminded that with the great I AM, is the answer. My favorite verse Isaiah 40:31 opens with those who wait upon (or have hope in) the Lord will be renewed in their strength. They will soar on wings of eagles. There is power in waiting faithfully. It is not easy, and sometimes it is just grueling but in the end, those who wait faithfully will soar. At times, waiting requires us to just sit still and wait. I am reminded of Job who lost it all and waited and waited and waited, until finally breakthrough and he was rewarded double for his trouble in Job 42:10 after praying for his friends that looked to condemn him, as is also mentioned in Zechariah 9:12 in a different, but similar count of waiting. But that time in the middle is hard. Psalm 46:10 is another instance where the great I AM says be still and wait on me, it is going to be worth it. In each case full trust and surrender was required of the person waiting, and I believe that to be the case for us today. While let go, let God is easy to say, working to truly land there and then wait on God, offers reward in many ways.
As I sit here on my back deck at "the Jellyfish" in Kill Devil Hills today getting ready to spin up into "full Prednisone mode" painting, I reflect and press onward with long suffering (no laughing those who know me well), I am renewed in my faith that this tumor will pass and I will be restored to 100% and grown in some way well beyond just that.
#Isaiah40:31
Friday, April 28, 2017
Nothing cancer related here...just a cool God story.
A little late getting this one out. Its a few weeks old, but was sitting in drafts. But here goes.
I went to Tampa on a business trip which included a 5:30 am flight out or Norfolk Wednesday morning. Getting up at 3:30 to go catch a plane is not one of those things that I ever really look forward to, but in the interest of fulfilling my Tuesday night commitment, and spending 1 less night away from home, I pressed through it. At any rate, we boarded, flew to Atlanta, where the beginning of what would unfold in the next few days would take place. I "deplaned" (such a goofy word, but what other word works there? unboarded? deboarded? got off of? I digress...) the flight in from Norfolk, and made my way over to the other gate to catch the flight from Atlanta to Tampa. Upon arriving at the gate, they had already started boarding for those privileged flyers riding up front in more comfortable seats with better service and the like. Then it happened...They stopped boarding due to storms. So, those privileged, elite, status members were set in their seats in the plane, and now for an undetermined amount of time, would have to sit on the plane with no power while us unbathed commoners in zone 3 that sit in the back with the chickens, got to walk around in the terminal, grab a water and something to eat at our leisure. A small but fulfilling victory for the common oppressed non-status flying man today, while the elitists status members sat in the plane not moving! I would be remiss if I did not confess to mocking them with a few of the other oppressed people. After 20 minutes or so, we unbathed commoners were allowed to take our seats in the back with the chickens and the plane took off for Tampa.
We did our meetings and dinners, and I got to raise a glass with a coworker and friend who has experienced the same as I have gone through this year. He was told by a urologist that he had cancer, but it wound up not being the case. So we were able to raise a glass together at some place in Ybor City, and while we both have more to go, to be completely healed, we celebrated our blessing of a new lease on life. Thursday rolled around and I started to get delay notifications while in meetings. Once the meetings ended, one of the guys rode with me to the airport. As we pulled into the rental car return, we noted that they were slammed full of cars. I looked at him and said, "this is not a good sign." ...thinking that Atlanta may have blown up and people drove from Atlanta down. As it turns out that assumption was right. After we had seen his flights get cancelled, and mine delayed, we heard the announcement that Atlanta was closed for 8 hours on Thursday and had experienced a ton of scheduling issues on Wednesday, as well. So we booked him a nearby hotel room, I rented a car, and called a friend who I wound up staying with Thursday night. I then got the next available flight out which was 6pm Friday.
While working from my friend's kitchen I stated to get more delay notifications from Delta. As I looked at the site for flight scheduling, it looked like they were behind 3-4 hours, and I figured, I'd just get home really late Friday night. I left for the airport at 3:30 pm and wound up stuck behind an accident where they shut the interstate down. That required rerouting around Tampa Bay to get to the airport. No problem, frustrating, but no problem. I finally got to the airport and noted that I had several more delays for my flight. So much so that my flight from Tampa was landing after the flight from Atlanta to Norfolk would take off. If the 2nd flight delayed, I would be fine. If not, I would be stuck in Atlanta for at least the night. Upon inquiring, the next available out of Atlanta was Saturday night.
Decision time...I walked into the airport took a look around at the chaos and decided to take a seat and ask God what He wanted me to do. I knew I had an appointment at 10 am Saturday with Kitty Hawk Surf Co who had expressed some interest in our Jelly SUP brand kayak/hybrid boards, but that was an unlikely at this point and would need to be rescheduled. After weighing my options of stuck in ATL vs. drive until I drop and then some, I talked to Kelly who agreed that I should go for it. Another factor weighing on my nerves was that I did not have my distance glasses which are needed at night to drive, and especially on unfamiliar I75, I10, I95 and a couple country road short cuts around Gainsville. So I confessed my fear of fatigue, bad vision, rental car, and going to God. I felt God telling me to go. At the same time, this worry about not being able to see, already being tired from short night's sleep for the past 3 nights, and general doubt was on me like a funk that would not go away...or maybe that funk was just being in the same clothes for 3 days.
So, I told God I needed Him and left the airport in a rental car en route for Norfolk with a 24 hour window to make it there per the rental agreement. As I pulled out of the airport and got onto I275 heading for I75, I of course hit traffic. Now I would get to sit and think about my decision which was a no go back thing at this point since I may not be able to get back to the airport in time. I was lucky enough to have Kelly and my parents who were willing to talk on the phone with me as I drove into the sunset over Florida. I managed to get to I 75N by around sunset. The sun dropped and darkness set in, and I had some interesting navigation through Florida to make my way over to I95 North at Jacksonville. Part of that wound up being a short cut through the Gainsville area where I met the first of 4 people I would encounter. A nice old country girl who offered me advise on routing and to get off of 75, skip the elbow where it intersects 10, and use 301 to cut through.
I think I finally got off of the phone with my dad the second time at 10:30pm or so in Brunswick GA after a good long conversation. I called Kelly, and we decided to start looking for possible hotel locations in Savanah, SC or anywhere around there so that I could get some rest. As luck would have it this was Master's weekend in Augusta and spring break weekend. Net net, no room and any inn from GA to NC on 95. I would have to drive through the night. Fortunately, my rental car had Siruis/XM and I wound up listening to a message about God's plan for us. It dawned on me that I may be on a God ordained mission to get to my appointment at KH Surf Co. I spent the remainder of the night gulping ridiculous amounts of coffee, which I had been off for 2 months, listening to messages, and spending time with God.
Kelly woke up and called around 4:50 am which was the voice I needed to hear while driving through the Raleigh Durham area. Sunrise came and I pushed on and pulled into Norfolk airport at 7:00. If I could get through rental return, grab my car, get home, shower, and pack, I had a shot at the 10 am appointment in OBX. So, that was my course.
After driving the last leg of the trip, I pulled into the house in Kill Devil Hills at 9:30 or so. Kelly and I jumped into the car and headed over to KHSC and pulled into their parking lot at 9:52am for the 10 am appointment. We stopped, asked God to preside over the meeting since I was an over caffinated zombie, and whatever His will, we would be thankful for a safe trip back, making the appointment, and hopefully some sleep at some point that day. We went in, met Jason, and lo and behold they bought. Who'd a thunk it? I am at my absolute worst, and they still bought a couple our Jelly SUP inflatable boards as a test run. since then there has been a lot of interest and even purchase, and the hope is that we can work up a bulk order from Shanghai with their logo.
God seems to answer prayers at just the right time, and do it in such a way where you know it was him. I hadn't planned this, wasn't really thinking about it in my plight of being stuck in airports, and had frankly written it off, but He had another plan. Praise to God!
I went to Tampa on a business trip which included a 5:30 am flight out or Norfolk Wednesday morning. Getting up at 3:30 to go catch a plane is not one of those things that I ever really look forward to, but in the interest of fulfilling my Tuesday night commitment, and spending 1 less night away from home, I pressed through it. At any rate, we boarded, flew to Atlanta, where the beginning of what would unfold in the next few days would take place. I "deplaned" (such a goofy word, but what other word works there? unboarded? deboarded? got off of? I digress...) the flight in from Norfolk, and made my way over to the other gate to catch the flight from Atlanta to Tampa. Upon arriving at the gate, they had already started boarding for those privileged flyers riding up front in more comfortable seats with better service and the like. Then it happened...They stopped boarding due to storms. So, those privileged, elite, status members were set in their seats in the plane, and now for an undetermined amount of time, would have to sit on the plane with no power while us unbathed commoners in zone 3 that sit in the back with the chickens, got to walk around in the terminal, grab a water and something to eat at our leisure. A small but fulfilling victory for the common oppressed non-status flying man today, while the elitists status members sat in the plane not moving! I would be remiss if I did not confess to mocking them with a few of the other oppressed people. After 20 minutes or so, we unbathed commoners were allowed to take our seats in the back with the chickens and the plane took off for Tampa.
We did our meetings and dinners, and I got to raise a glass with a coworker and friend who has experienced the same as I have gone through this year. He was told by a urologist that he had cancer, but it wound up not being the case. So we were able to raise a glass together at some place in Ybor City, and while we both have more to go, to be completely healed, we celebrated our blessing of a new lease on life. Thursday rolled around and I started to get delay notifications while in meetings. Once the meetings ended, one of the guys rode with me to the airport. As we pulled into the rental car return, we noted that they were slammed full of cars. I looked at him and said, "this is not a good sign." ...thinking that Atlanta may have blown up and people drove from Atlanta down. As it turns out that assumption was right. After we had seen his flights get cancelled, and mine delayed, we heard the announcement that Atlanta was closed for 8 hours on Thursday and had experienced a ton of scheduling issues on Wednesday, as well. So we booked him a nearby hotel room, I rented a car, and called a friend who I wound up staying with Thursday night. I then got the next available flight out which was 6pm Friday.
While working from my friend's kitchen I stated to get more delay notifications from Delta. As I looked at the site for flight scheduling, it looked like they were behind 3-4 hours, and I figured, I'd just get home really late Friday night. I left for the airport at 3:30 pm and wound up stuck behind an accident where they shut the interstate down. That required rerouting around Tampa Bay to get to the airport. No problem, frustrating, but no problem. I finally got to the airport and noted that I had several more delays for my flight. So much so that my flight from Tampa was landing after the flight from Atlanta to Norfolk would take off. If the 2nd flight delayed, I would be fine. If not, I would be stuck in Atlanta for at least the night. Upon inquiring, the next available out of Atlanta was Saturday night.
Decision time...I walked into the airport took a look around at the chaos and decided to take a seat and ask God what He wanted me to do. I knew I had an appointment at 10 am Saturday with Kitty Hawk Surf Co who had expressed some interest in our Jelly SUP brand kayak/hybrid boards, but that was an unlikely at this point and would need to be rescheduled. After weighing my options of stuck in ATL vs. drive until I drop and then some, I talked to Kelly who agreed that I should go for it. Another factor weighing on my nerves was that I did not have my distance glasses which are needed at night to drive, and especially on unfamiliar I75, I10, I95 and a couple country road short cuts around Gainsville. So I confessed my fear of fatigue, bad vision, rental car, and going to God. I felt God telling me to go. At the same time, this worry about not being able to see, already being tired from short night's sleep for the past 3 nights, and general doubt was on me like a funk that would not go away...or maybe that funk was just being in the same clothes for 3 days.
So, I told God I needed Him and left the airport in a rental car en route for Norfolk with a 24 hour window to make it there per the rental agreement. As I pulled out of the airport and got onto I275 heading for I75, I of course hit traffic. Now I would get to sit and think about my decision which was a no go back thing at this point since I may not be able to get back to the airport in time. I was lucky enough to have Kelly and my parents who were willing to talk on the phone with me as I drove into the sunset over Florida. I managed to get to I 75N by around sunset. The sun dropped and darkness set in, and I had some interesting navigation through Florida to make my way over to I95 North at Jacksonville. Part of that wound up being a short cut through the Gainsville area where I met the first of 4 people I would encounter. A nice old country girl who offered me advise on routing and to get off of 75, skip the elbow where it intersects 10, and use 301 to cut through.
I think I finally got off of the phone with my dad the second time at 10:30pm or so in Brunswick GA after a good long conversation. I called Kelly, and we decided to start looking for possible hotel locations in Savanah, SC or anywhere around there so that I could get some rest. As luck would have it this was Master's weekend in Augusta and spring break weekend. Net net, no room and any inn from GA to NC on 95. I would have to drive through the night. Fortunately, my rental car had Siruis/XM and I wound up listening to a message about God's plan for us. It dawned on me that I may be on a God ordained mission to get to my appointment at KH Surf Co. I spent the remainder of the night gulping ridiculous amounts of coffee, which I had been off for 2 months, listening to messages, and spending time with God.
Kelly woke up and called around 4:50 am which was the voice I needed to hear while driving through the Raleigh Durham area. Sunrise came and I pushed on and pulled into Norfolk airport at 7:00. If I could get through rental return, grab my car, get home, shower, and pack, I had a shot at the 10 am appointment in OBX. So, that was my course.
After driving the last leg of the trip, I pulled into the house in Kill Devil Hills at 9:30 or so. Kelly and I jumped into the car and headed over to KHSC and pulled into their parking lot at 9:52am for the 10 am appointment. We stopped, asked God to preside over the meeting since I was an over caffinated zombie, and whatever His will, we would be thankful for a safe trip back, making the appointment, and hopefully some sleep at some point that day. We went in, met Jason, and lo and behold they bought. Who'd a thunk it? I am at my absolute worst, and they still bought a couple our Jelly SUP inflatable boards as a test run. since then there has been a lot of interest and even purchase, and the hope is that we can work up a bulk order from Shanghai with their logo.
God seems to answer prayers at just the right time, and do it in such a way where you know it was him. I hadn't planned this, wasn't really thinking about it in my plight of being stuck in airports, and had frankly written it off, but He had another plan. Praise to God!
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Serendiptiy
Serendipity - the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.
I had some people come over to quote me on windows for the house this evening. We had a variety of folks show up, and lots of interesting discussion about windows. As they made their way through it became increasingly evident that this was going to turn into a DIY project. But that last guy...
He told me that he stopped to get something to eat, almost sent another guy over, and when he got here he saw the last guy (competition) leave, and that normally means he is out, due to price. But something told him to come, and then even when he saw his under-priced competition, to knock on the door. So we talked for a few minutes and got down to business on the windows. A handful of windows into it he shared that he had lost his 1st wife to cancer. I must admit that the shameful cynic in me was rolling my imagination's eyes and asking, "are we really going to go here, and go for the pity sale...?" So after two sentences I had to ask, "If you don't mind me asking, what kind of cancer did she die of?" As it turns out she died of NSCLC, way too young, with 4 kids at home just after he returned from Afghanistan for his retirement from the Marines after 20 years of service.
As I listened to that story, and also the story of how his daughter was previously healed of autism, years before that, I was blown away. He admitted that his windows were likely not the price point I was going to want, and we conceded to not talk about windows anymore, and turned this into a faith conversation. As it turns out Glen is a man of very strong faith. He and his wife prayed over their daughter, discovered several things about how unforgiveness can block a healing, and after resolving that, wound up seeing the miracle of their daughter blow the medical industry away by winding up being healed of autism. The doctor apparently admitted that she saw no autism, but could not publicly admit that due to the fact that it would ruin her career.
I eventually shared that I was diagnosed with stage 4 NSCLC and was healed of cancer, but still have this tumor, back in February through so much prayer, and God's awesome grace. I went on to tell my "blessed plight story", and shared that we are starting a cancer support ministry at Great Bridge Presbyterian church on 4/25, which will be mainly focused on prayer and community.
Glen went on to tell me the rest of his incredible story, shared his testimony, and we got into some deeper discussion. He asked what would you say to someone, or the family of someone, who followed God and did it all right, but was not healed? Brilliant question that has been haunting me, because the reality is that healing here on earth does not always happen. The truth is that God calls people home sometimes. I have asked for this answer in prayer knowing that the question will arise at some point. While we did not come up with any definitive answers, we did wind up talking about it quite a bit. We discussed [Mark 11:25] where Jesus says, if you have something against your brother, leave the alter and go fix it. We discussed that some people do not feel worthy and are not able to truly receive a healing, which ironically could be viewed as a form of pride when you think about it. Beyond that, we discussed those that just won't or can't believe and receive.
So, we may have serendipitously (is that really a word?) backed our way into the answer...hold nothing against your brother, discard your pride and receive, and of course you have to believe. Without these ingredients I do not believe that healing is nearly as likely, if at all. Yet even with them, the reality is that it is actually still possible that no healing will take place in God's sovereign plan. So the answer to the question is if there was a complete surrender to God's plan and still no healing took place, God has something greater in mind than the earthly healing. How often this is the case, no one will ever know since we only have our perspective to lean on with regard to the people who are suffering. I cannot imagine myself saying that to anyone, since it shows so little sympathy and/or empathy here on earth, but that is the raw truth. Perhaps the important thing is to just follow the greatest two commandments for those left behind and worry less about explaining why God allowed something to happen to them. When someone does go home to heaven...Love God and love your neighbor. There are too many unknowns to do anything otherwise with our limited human perspective.
When death does occur, sometimes God uses a death to make huge impact for His purpose. I am reminded of some of the great cancer funds that are out there like Jimmy Valvano's for example. The bright side of his death is the huge success of his fund and what it does for so many. Quite possibly, there is some comfort in remembering that this life is truly a vapor [James 4:14] if you are a saved Christian. When you take an eternal focus on life, you suddenly will not see the here an now as your everything, but seem to focus on eternity with Jesus as your everything. To do otherwise would be idolatry in the form of placing a higher priority on your life here and ignoring the big picture of eternity. We are immortal as Christians. We are never going to die. Our earth suits will decay and eventually perish, but our souls will live forever in perfection, together, in heaven. The second that our earth suit dies, is the second that we will be before Jesus, beyond time, beyond pain, beyond this fallen world. I have told people through my blessed plight that I was not afraid to die. I was not, and I still am not. If God wants me to go home, I am going home. If God wants me to stay here and do more, I am going to do that. I do not want to die, and hope that I will not die for a long time, but I also fully surrender to Him. To save ones life, one must lose it. [Mat 16:25] A harsh reality check in priorities and perspective for us, to be sure, but it is truth. God is sovereign and calls us to be His, completely, no matter our circumstance. As I listened to Glen, I was reminded that he has an eternal focus. Even though he has been through war as a Marine, the death of a spouse, dealth with autism in one of his kids, he continues to honor God. In doing so, he also honors his first wife who has gone home to heaven, he honors and takes good care of his kids today, and he is very focused on his faith and keeps his priorities well in order.
So what does it all mean? I have to think that what it means is that God is calling us to do a few things, as I was once told by a very wise healing preacher woman named Edith. You must fully surrender to God's plan to be healed. You must not hold anything against anyone, and you have to fully believe and receive. It is so strange how this keeps coming up in conversations in which I find myself. Glen went on to provide an example and say that he prayed over a co-worker who had cancer return after 5 years in the form of a large abdominal tumor and suffered severe anxiety because of that. However, before he prayed over him he asked, "So do you believe the Jesus can do this? This is about your faith in God, and not me. I can't put my faith on you beyond praying for you. I am just a conduit, but you must believe before it will happen." He told the man he would have the surgery, and it would all be fine. The doctors took the tumor, it was cancerous, and they sent it to pathology for more testing. 3 days later the tests came back inconclusive and he was cancer free. The tumor reduced and went away with medication. That one really hit home as this is essentially my story as I await this tumor to be healed for my 100% restoration for which I have been praying.
I was reminded of when Jesus was doing all of the healing in [Matthew 9]. As we will note, he physically and spiritually heals a paralyzed man, He raises a dead girl and heals a sick woman...in both cases, someone had to come to Jesus and ask for the healing with faith. Then He goes on to heal two blind men and a mute, who he also heals physically and spiritually. In the case of the blind men, they follow Him up into the temple. Jesus asks them point blank, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" You have to love that. Imagine if they would have said, "well maybe?" or asked, "How will you do it?" or "what are all of the possible outcomes here?" or any other of a million questions we humans like to ask to try to attain some control over a situation. They simply reply, "Yes, Lord" and they are instantly healed. They did not try to take control of it, they simply had faith, believed, and also received the healing.
I think my self-described A.D.D. may have gotten the best of me in this blog post. :-) Back to Serendipity...the answer to the question, "what do you say to someone who did it all right, and they were not healed?" is Love God and love your neighbor when they are sick. Love God and love your neighbor when they lose a loved one. Perhaps limit the postulation of your perspective, since it is only your perspective. As is written in [Proverbs 3:5,6] look to God for His perspective and He will make your path straight. Another favorite is [ Matthew 6:33 ]. If we seek God first, and ask what to say and how to act, He will provide the words and actions that are needed.
So, I prayed over Glen, wished him well, and we agreed that his windows were too expensive, but we agreed that we will meet again, and he will come speak at the GBPC cancer support group. I continue to be blown away by the people God is putting in my life. Glen told me that he had been praying for 6 years to meet someone that was healed of NCSLC, which is what his wife died of, since 3 out of 4 people who are diagnosed with it die annually. I am so excited for this ministry to take off and soar on wings of eagles.
#Isaiah40:31
I had some people come over to quote me on windows for the house this evening. We had a variety of folks show up, and lots of interesting discussion about windows. As they made their way through it became increasingly evident that this was going to turn into a DIY project. But that last guy...
He told me that he stopped to get something to eat, almost sent another guy over, and when he got here he saw the last guy (competition) leave, and that normally means he is out, due to price. But something told him to come, and then even when he saw his under-priced competition, to knock on the door. So we talked for a few minutes and got down to business on the windows. A handful of windows into it he shared that he had lost his 1st wife to cancer. I must admit that the shameful cynic in me was rolling my imagination's eyes and asking, "are we really going to go here, and go for the pity sale...?" So after two sentences I had to ask, "If you don't mind me asking, what kind of cancer did she die of?" As it turns out she died of NSCLC, way too young, with 4 kids at home just after he returned from Afghanistan for his retirement from the Marines after 20 years of service.
As I listened to that story, and also the story of how his daughter was previously healed of autism, years before that, I was blown away. He admitted that his windows were likely not the price point I was going to want, and we conceded to not talk about windows anymore, and turned this into a faith conversation. As it turns out Glen is a man of very strong faith. He and his wife prayed over their daughter, discovered several things about how unforgiveness can block a healing, and after resolving that, wound up seeing the miracle of their daughter blow the medical industry away by winding up being healed of autism. The doctor apparently admitted that she saw no autism, but could not publicly admit that due to the fact that it would ruin her career.
I eventually shared that I was diagnosed with stage 4 NSCLC and was healed of cancer, but still have this tumor, back in February through so much prayer, and God's awesome grace. I went on to tell my "blessed plight story", and shared that we are starting a cancer support ministry at Great Bridge Presbyterian church on 4/25, which will be mainly focused on prayer and community.
Glen went on to tell me the rest of his incredible story, shared his testimony, and we got into some deeper discussion. He asked what would you say to someone, or the family of someone, who followed God and did it all right, but was not healed? Brilliant question that has been haunting me, because the reality is that healing here on earth does not always happen. The truth is that God calls people home sometimes. I have asked for this answer in prayer knowing that the question will arise at some point. While we did not come up with any definitive answers, we did wind up talking about it quite a bit. We discussed [Mark 11:25] where Jesus says, if you have something against your brother, leave the alter and go fix it. We discussed that some people do not feel worthy and are not able to truly receive a healing, which ironically could be viewed as a form of pride when you think about it. Beyond that, we discussed those that just won't or can't believe and receive.
So, we may have serendipitously (is that really a word?) backed our way into the answer...hold nothing against your brother, discard your pride and receive, and of course you have to believe. Without these ingredients I do not believe that healing is nearly as likely, if at all. Yet even with them, the reality is that it is actually still possible that no healing will take place in God's sovereign plan. So the answer to the question is if there was a complete surrender to God's plan and still no healing took place, God has something greater in mind than the earthly healing. How often this is the case, no one will ever know since we only have our perspective to lean on with regard to the people who are suffering. I cannot imagine myself saying that to anyone, since it shows so little sympathy and/or empathy here on earth, but that is the raw truth. Perhaps the important thing is to just follow the greatest two commandments for those left behind and worry less about explaining why God allowed something to happen to them. When someone does go home to heaven...Love God and love your neighbor. There are too many unknowns to do anything otherwise with our limited human perspective.
When death does occur, sometimes God uses a death to make huge impact for His purpose. I am reminded of some of the great cancer funds that are out there like Jimmy Valvano's for example. The bright side of his death is the huge success of his fund and what it does for so many. Quite possibly, there is some comfort in remembering that this life is truly a vapor [James 4:14] if you are a saved Christian. When you take an eternal focus on life, you suddenly will not see the here an now as your everything, but seem to focus on eternity with Jesus as your everything. To do otherwise would be idolatry in the form of placing a higher priority on your life here and ignoring the big picture of eternity. We are immortal as Christians. We are never going to die. Our earth suits will decay and eventually perish, but our souls will live forever in perfection, together, in heaven. The second that our earth suit dies, is the second that we will be before Jesus, beyond time, beyond pain, beyond this fallen world. I have told people through my blessed plight that I was not afraid to die. I was not, and I still am not. If God wants me to go home, I am going home. If God wants me to stay here and do more, I am going to do that. I do not want to die, and hope that I will not die for a long time, but I also fully surrender to Him. To save ones life, one must lose it. [Mat 16:25] A harsh reality check in priorities and perspective for us, to be sure, but it is truth. God is sovereign and calls us to be His, completely, no matter our circumstance. As I listened to Glen, I was reminded that he has an eternal focus. Even though he has been through war as a Marine, the death of a spouse, dealth with autism in one of his kids, he continues to honor God. In doing so, he also honors his first wife who has gone home to heaven, he honors and takes good care of his kids today, and he is very focused on his faith and keeps his priorities well in order.
So what does it all mean? I have to think that what it means is that God is calling us to do a few things, as I was once told by a very wise healing preacher woman named Edith. You must fully surrender to God's plan to be healed. You must not hold anything against anyone, and you have to fully believe and receive. It is so strange how this keeps coming up in conversations in which I find myself. Glen went on to provide an example and say that he prayed over a co-worker who had cancer return after 5 years in the form of a large abdominal tumor and suffered severe anxiety because of that. However, before he prayed over him he asked, "So do you believe the Jesus can do this? This is about your faith in God, and not me. I can't put my faith on you beyond praying for you. I am just a conduit, but you must believe before it will happen." He told the man he would have the surgery, and it would all be fine. The doctors took the tumor, it was cancerous, and they sent it to pathology for more testing. 3 days later the tests came back inconclusive and he was cancer free. The tumor reduced and went away with medication. That one really hit home as this is essentially my story as I await this tumor to be healed for my 100% restoration for which I have been praying.
I was reminded of when Jesus was doing all of the healing in [Matthew 9]. As we will note, he physically and spiritually heals a paralyzed man, He raises a dead girl and heals a sick woman...in both cases, someone had to come to Jesus and ask for the healing with faith. Then He goes on to heal two blind men and a mute, who he also heals physically and spiritually. In the case of the blind men, they follow Him up into the temple. Jesus asks them point blank, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" You have to love that. Imagine if they would have said, "well maybe?" or asked, "How will you do it?" or "what are all of the possible outcomes here?" or any other of a million questions we humans like to ask to try to attain some control over a situation. They simply reply, "Yes, Lord" and they are instantly healed. They did not try to take control of it, they simply had faith, believed, and also received the healing.
I think my self-described A.D.D. may have gotten the best of me in this blog post. :-) Back to Serendipity...the answer to the question, "what do you say to someone who did it all right, and they were not healed?" is Love God and love your neighbor when they are sick. Love God and love your neighbor when they lose a loved one. Perhaps limit the postulation of your perspective, since it is only your perspective. As is written in [Proverbs 3:5,6] look to God for His perspective and He will make your path straight. Another favorite is [ Matthew 6:33 ]. If we seek God first, and ask what to say and how to act, He will provide the words and actions that are needed.
So, I prayed over Glen, wished him well, and we agreed that his windows were too expensive, but we agreed that we will meet again, and he will come speak at the GBPC cancer support group. I continue to be blown away by the people God is putting in my life. Glen told me that he had been praying for 6 years to meet someone that was healed of NCSLC, which is what his wife died of, since 3 out of 4 people who are diagnosed with it die annually. I am so excited for this ministry to take off and soar on wings of eagles.
#Isaiah40:31
Friday, April 7, 2017
Remember!
As I sit in a friends kitchen in Tampa this morning, having been stuck in Tampa on business due to the whole eastern part of the country's air schedule being shutdown due to bad storms yesterday, I read Dr David Jeremiah's email devotional which is about being delivered from Egypt. Certainly, being delivered from the airports and the fate of sleeping on those really comfortable airport chairs or floors, along with over-priced mediocre food, and of course grouchy people all around, is something to really appreciate. ...And having it be with friends (Misty and John) in one of my favorite cities in the world is a pretty cool twist.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"And Moses said to the people: “Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place.”
Exodus 13:3a
Recommended Reading
Deuteronomy 7:17-19
One of the advantages of keeping a diary is that it helps us remember significant events in the past. And keeping a spiritual journal does the same; it reminds us of crossroads, provisions, and answered prayers—demonstrations of God’s faithfulness in the past. It is not just moderns who struggle with memory. The challenge to remember was a central theme in Israel’s life as a nation.
Then, and now, the most important thing that Jews remember is the Exodus from Egypt. It was then that God rescued and redeemed His people from a life of bondage to a pagan nation. As the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt, Moses told them to remember “this day.” What were they to remember? The “strength of [the Lord’s] hand” that delivered them from slavery to safety. God is strong; God is mighty to save; God is a promise keeper—and more. It is the attributes of God, displayed in the past, that give us cause to trust Him and live for Him in the present.
Remembering and considering God’s attributes and faithfulness is a step toward personal revival today."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I ponder being delivered from "Gehenna" (the airport in turmoil yesterday) I am also reminded of being delivered from cancer and healed to the extent that there isn't any, but I still have this tumor in my lung. God answered all of the prayers everyone prayed and took the cancer away, yet he did not heal the tumor, yet, and I remain on steroids for another 7 weeks. ...Why?
Interesting question. I suppose if I were God, I might want to take a look at me and my history of bust out of the gates running 100 mph, and off to the next thing, and craft a plan where I could both heal me and grow me simultaneously, if that is what I wanted to do, if I were God. #shrugs
As I reflect on the Israelites leaving Egypt, I am reminded that they spent 40 years in the desert wandering, groaning, walking, and generally not making great progress to the promised land. So why did they wander for 40 years and not just get to go straight to the promised land? The short story is disobedience and misalignment with God. Lots of complaining, groaning, and not doing what they were supposed to do. While that generation did not get to the promised land, and it wasn't until the next that did, I believe that God used that curse of 40 years to grow the people through that time.
So as I continue to walk in a much less dark shadow of the valley of death, I think that I (or really anyone[s] walking through the process of being healed) am supposed to continue to grow and God can use the current affliction, albeit currently benign but still very much there in my case, to keep my path straight and on course with whatever he has planned.
I think the key is faithful alignment and committing to getting there. One of the healers, and now good friend of mine named Edith, who prayed over me told me that I must fully surrender to God's plan and also have no unforgiveness or broken relationships in my life, in order to see the healing come to fruition. I made some important amends with some people and went the extra mile in some cases, and I am glad that I did that. It was not easy to assume the reduced position in some of those cases, but it was no where near as bad as I thought it would be, and it was a very important step in my trek. I do not know of anything left to do there, but I do know that God has a plan (Jer 29:11), and it needs attention. One piece of that plan is passing it on. "When we are healed, it is not just for us", as a very wise friend named Kevin who lives in Luxemborg reminded me a few weeks back.
So, I am thrilled to say that we are launching a Christian Cancer Support group at Great Bridge Presbyterian Church at 333 Cedar Road in Chesapeake on April 25th at 7pm. The group agenda will consist of a short biblical devotional, talk time for people there, and most importantly prayer. We are inviting people battling cancer, friends and family of those with cancer, and very importantly anyone who is a survivor. My hope is to create a setting where faith, prayer, and community exist, and many can grow, and Lord willing, can hopefully be delivered from their plight as well.
Here's to a continued walk to healing and 100% restoration, and to being delivered from where I was...oh yeah and deliverance from the cancer too. Kelly and I remain faithful that God will heal this tumor in spite of the doctors less optimistic prognosis of just trying to "shrink it some and then operate", and shock the medical world once again.
#Isaiah40:31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"And Moses said to the people: “Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place.”
Exodus 13:3a
Recommended Reading
Deuteronomy 7:17-19
One of the advantages of keeping a diary is that it helps us remember significant events in the past. And keeping a spiritual journal does the same; it reminds us of crossroads, provisions, and answered prayers—demonstrations of God’s faithfulness in the past. It is not just moderns who struggle with memory. The challenge to remember was a central theme in Israel’s life as a nation.
Then, and now, the most important thing that Jews remember is the Exodus from Egypt. It was then that God rescued and redeemed His people from a life of bondage to a pagan nation. As the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt, Moses told them to remember “this day.” What were they to remember? The “strength of [the Lord’s] hand” that delivered them from slavery to safety. God is strong; God is mighty to save; God is a promise keeper—and more. It is the attributes of God, displayed in the past, that give us cause to trust Him and live for Him in the present.
Remembering and considering God’s attributes and faithfulness is a step toward personal revival today."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I ponder being delivered from "Gehenna" (the airport in turmoil yesterday) I am also reminded of being delivered from cancer and healed to the extent that there isn't any, but I still have this tumor in my lung. God answered all of the prayers everyone prayed and took the cancer away, yet he did not heal the tumor, yet, and I remain on steroids for another 7 weeks. ...Why?
Interesting question. I suppose if I were God, I might want to take a look at me and my history of bust out of the gates running 100 mph, and off to the next thing, and craft a plan where I could both heal me and grow me simultaneously, if that is what I wanted to do, if I were God. #shrugs
As I reflect on the Israelites leaving Egypt, I am reminded that they spent 40 years in the desert wandering, groaning, walking, and generally not making great progress to the promised land. So why did they wander for 40 years and not just get to go straight to the promised land? The short story is disobedience and misalignment with God. Lots of complaining, groaning, and not doing what they were supposed to do. While that generation did not get to the promised land, and it wasn't until the next that did, I believe that God used that curse of 40 years to grow the people through that time.
So as I continue to walk in a much less dark shadow of the valley of death, I think that I (or really anyone[s] walking through the process of being healed) am supposed to continue to grow and God can use the current affliction, albeit currently benign but still very much there in my case, to keep my path straight and on course with whatever he has planned.
I think the key is faithful alignment and committing to getting there. One of the healers, and now good friend of mine named Edith, who prayed over me told me that I must fully surrender to God's plan and also have no unforgiveness or broken relationships in my life, in order to see the healing come to fruition. I made some important amends with some people and went the extra mile in some cases, and I am glad that I did that. It was not easy to assume the reduced position in some of those cases, but it was no where near as bad as I thought it would be, and it was a very important step in my trek. I do not know of anything left to do there, but I do know that God has a plan (Jer 29:11), and it needs attention. One piece of that plan is passing it on. "When we are healed, it is not just for us", as a very wise friend named Kevin who lives in Luxemborg reminded me a few weeks back.
So, I am thrilled to say that we are launching a Christian Cancer Support group at Great Bridge Presbyterian Church at 333 Cedar Road in Chesapeake on April 25th at 7pm. The group agenda will consist of a short biblical devotional, talk time for people there, and most importantly prayer. We are inviting people battling cancer, friends and family of those with cancer, and very importantly anyone who is a survivor. My hope is to create a setting where faith, prayer, and community exist, and many can grow, and Lord willing, can hopefully be delivered from their plight as well.
Here's to a continued walk to healing and 100% restoration, and to being delivered from where I was...oh yeah and deliverance from the cancer too. Kelly and I remain faithful that God will heal this tumor in spite of the doctors less optimistic prognosis of just trying to "shrink it some and then operate", and shock the medical world once again.
#Isaiah40:31
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
6 Blogs about Cancer
They are all well maintained and should provide good info.
I spent a lot of hours reading about what I might have in my lung, treatments, and as it stands today I am dealing with a very rare condition called Inflammatory Pseudotumor which, due to its rarity research does not have a lot out there. So I wanted to pass on a few links to not just research, but also beyond the usual WebMD, the ACC, and to discussion boards and a variety of other types of good content.
https://www.blogforacure.com/
http://www.canceradvocacy.org/
https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/cancerwise.html
http://www.curetoday.com/
http://www.oncolink.org/blogs/
https://blog.stupidcancer.org/?gclid=CJCFuonb-dICFR2HswodFyMPTA
I spent a lot of hours reading about what I might have in my lung, treatments, and as it stands today I am dealing with a very rare condition called Inflammatory Pseudotumor which, due to its rarity research does not have a lot out there. So I wanted to pass on a few links to not just research, but also beyond the usual WebMD, the ACC, and to discussion boards and a variety of other types of good content.
https://www.blogforacure.com/
http://www.canceradvocacy.org/
https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/cancerwise.html
http://www.curetoday.com/
http://www.oncolink.org/blogs/
https://blog.stupidcancer.org/?gclid=CJCFuonb-dICFR2HswodFyMPTA
Monday, March 27, 2017
Status 3/27/17
We got another call back from my thoracic surgeon at MD Anderson who spoke with more pathology specialists. Along with Oncology at MD Anderson they have confirmed again, that this is not a case of cancer, and they are putting it into what I am hearing is a general bucket of inflammatory pseudo tumor. Thanks to God! This tumor has had more names than I have been called by my co-workers, immediate family and friends, and other drivers on the road. :-)
At any rate, they are recommending that I go on Prednisone for 3 months. The hope there is that the steroid will shrink the tumor and make surgery much less invasive, or as we have been praying, not needed at all.
Thanks to all 3 services at GBPC for listening to my testimony yesterday. I am hopeful that the last minute nature of it, and me not being all that organized, yet sloppily dressed in jeans, a T-Shirt, and flip flops, did not affect the message of hope in the Lord, faith building and healing through prayer, and prayer around and for us building our faith and healing through community.
At any rate, they are recommending that I go on Prednisone for 3 months. The hope there is that the steroid will shrink the tumor and make surgery much less invasive, or as we have been praying, not needed at all.
Thanks to all 3 services at GBPC for listening to my testimony yesterday. I am hopeful that the last minute nature of it, and me not being all that organized, yet sloppily dressed in jeans, a T-Shirt, and flip flops, did not affect the message of hope in the Lord, faith building and healing through prayer, and prayer around and for us building our faith and healing through community.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Status 3/22/17
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***CORRECTION: Apologies for the confusion. I did not realize that Blogger.com only allows email subscribe while viewing on a computer. If interested and you are on your phone, email me at jimbag8@gmail.com and I can subscribe you.***
We got more confusing news along with some good news today from the Physicians Assistant to the thoracic surgeon we have been working with at MD Anderson...
The confusing news is that after 2 weeks in the lab, the top pathology doctors in the land, in Houston, TX still do not know what I have in my lung, outside of it being an 8cm tumor. At this point, they are hoping that cultures (which take more weeks) will reveal more. Obviously, not knowing creates a lot of questions about what it may be.
The good news is that the PA told us that the Pathologist said that it was certain that it is NOT cancer. So the net net is, they want to go through with the invasive left lung lobectomy surgery (pull back pectoral muscle, crack open left side ribs, and remove lobe of lung), but they do not know what it is, and need to pull it out to clear up my coughing and wheezing, and obviously do more lab work on it.
Even after all that we have been through, the eternal optimist in me celebrates this victory in faith that it is not cancer in the face of all of the experts saying there is no way that it wasn't. However, with the looming unknowns, we remain prayerfully optimistic in the bigger picture in that we are praying that God will remove the tumor without any need for surgery.
Aside from all of that, the one absolute is God. God is, and has always been, omnipotent (all powerful), omnipresent (in all places), and omniscient (all knowing). God is truth 100% of the time, and is the only absolute in our lives. Humans are not, and will never be, absolute in anything except that we are imperfect and not God.
Our next step is to speak with the surgeon and line up plans which sound like they may be surgery in the first or second week of April followed by a 6-8 week recovery period.
A little about the timeline and doctors involved which helps explain at least some of the uncertainty...
I was so honored to get a call from a close friend who's 40 year old brother went into the hospital today with a stomach issue that the docs are now saying could be cancerous. Keep Scotty and his family in your prayers. They need that wall, and he will need to be healed for his wife and young kids. He has more to do on this earth. As I was told in the beginning of my blessed plight by a stage 4 NSCLC 10-year survivor, warrior, hockey dude from Buffalo named Todd, and his brilliant wife Andrea, IT IS NOT CANCER until the labs prove it. As my brother Nate said that his father did, I think that when a situation like this presents itself, it is important to thank the doctors for their hard work and their medical report, but as it is written in Isaiah 53:5 by His stripes I am healed. Prayer works. As Mark 11:24 says "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours."
#Isaiah40:31
***CORRECTION: Apologies for the confusion. I did not realize that Blogger.com only allows email subscribe while viewing on a computer. If interested and you are on your phone, email me at jimbag8@gmail.com and I can subscribe you.***
We got more confusing news along with some good news today from the Physicians Assistant to the thoracic surgeon we have been working with at MD Anderson...
The confusing news is that after 2 weeks in the lab, the top pathology doctors in the land, in Houston, TX still do not know what I have in my lung, outside of it being an 8cm tumor. At this point, they are hoping that cultures (which take more weeks) will reveal more. Obviously, not knowing creates a lot of questions about what it may be.
The good news is that the PA told us that the Pathologist said that it was certain that it is NOT cancer. So the net net is, they want to go through with the invasive left lung lobectomy surgery (pull back pectoral muscle, crack open left side ribs, and remove lobe of lung), but they do not know what it is, and need to pull it out to clear up my coughing and wheezing, and obviously do more lab work on it.
Even after all that we have been through, the eternal optimist in me celebrates this victory in faith that it is not cancer in the face of all of the experts saying there is no way that it wasn't. However, with the looming unknowns, we remain prayerfully optimistic in the bigger picture in that we are praying that God will remove the tumor without any need for surgery.
Aside from all of that, the one absolute is God. God is, and has always been, omnipotent (all powerful), omnipresent (in all places), and omniscient (all knowing). God is truth 100% of the time, and is the only absolute in our lives. Humans are not, and will never be, absolute in anything except that we are imperfect and not God.
Our next step is to speak with the surgeon and line up plans which sound like they may be surgery in the first or second week of April followed by a 6-8 week recovery period.
A little about the timeline and doctors involved which helps explain at least some of the uncertainty...
- 1/17/17 - woke up with wheezing issues and scared myself to death on WebMD all night
- 1/18/17 - went to doc in the box. Great health, except XRay showing big thing in lung
- 1/20/17 - Pulmonologist sees tumor and calls for an immediate CT Scan, also on the 20th. He advises that this is usually not good.
- 1/24/17 - CT Scan guided needle biopsy. It is notable that we later found out from a local oncologist that we saw, that the Radiologist thought that this was such a bad tumor that he went the extra mile to make sure to collect a good sample.
- 1/26/17 - Pulmonologist recommended and we set a proactive appointment with oncology
- 1/27/17 - news back that the tumor was benign. Cancelled an Oncology appointment that we had proactively made.
- 1/31/17 - Pulmonologist recommended that we speak with a thoracic surgeon and schedule a lobectomy of my upper left lung. He also went on to say that he has only seen 3 of these that were not cancerous in his 20+ year career, and the other two were in young people. Upon further research online, benign is extremely rare (<1% of the time), and it happens in young people, not middle-aged or older people.
- 2/2/17 - appointment with thoracic surgeon and set up surgery for 2/13.
- 2/13/17 - Surgery aborted due to identifying metastasized atypical cells on my chest wall and diaphragm. The cells stained as positive for stage 4 Non Small Cell Lung Cancer by pathology in the OR. Samples sent to UVA for labs for research on what kind of cancer or genetic mutation it is.
- 2/14/17 - Another oncologist gives me a 50/50 shot a living another year.
- 2/15/17 - Discharged form the hospital
- 2/24/17 - Appointment with a new Oncology doc. He says that we need to get the results back before making any decisions, but in his career 100% of the time this has been NSCLC carcinoma. We also found out that he called the radiologist, when we cancelled the first appointment in late January, to check to see if he got a good sampling for the biopsy since it was a slam dunk case of NSCLC. The radiologist concurred on the slam dunk cancer case and said that he went the extra mile to make sure he got a good sampling of cells from all locations. We hear that UVA is not coming up with anything and plan to go to MD Anderson
- 2/27/17 - official inconclusive results come back from UVA Pathology
- 3/6/17 - 1st appointment at MD Anderson - Oncology says based on the UVA results this is not an oncology case and refers me to a thoracic surgeon there.
- 3/7/17 - met with Thoracic surgeon who calls for a new MD Anderson full work up including a 2nd CT Scan guided needle biopsy
- 3/8/17 - another CT Scan, blood work, and some appointments
- 3/9/17 - CT Scan guided needle biopsy. The radiologist took 8 samples and checked each of them with an onsite pathologist to ensure active cells. 5 of them had active cells present. biopsy go to labs.
- 3/22/17 - Lab work conclusion is that there is no caner present of any kind, but they still do not know what the tumor is.
I was so honored to get a call from a close friend who's 40 year old brother went into the hospital today with a stomach issue that the docs are now saying could be cancerous. Keep Scotty and his family in your prayers. They need that wall, and he will need to be healed for his wife and young kids. He has more to do on this earth. As I was told in the beginning of my blessed plight by a stage 4 NSCLC 10-year survivor, warrior, hockey dude from Buffalo named Todd, and his brilliant wife Andrea, IT IS NOT CANCER until the labs prove it. As my brother Nate said that his father did, I think that when a situation like this presents itself, it is important to thank the doctors for their hard work and their medical report, but as it is written in Isaiah 53:5 by His stripes I am healed. Prayer works. As Mark 11:24 says "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours."
#Isaiah40:31
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Scripture for the Afflicted
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I have compiled this list of scripture from studying over the years (especially now), from other people, from books, and from a few other sources. One such book that I highly recommend that anyone who has any affliction read is Dodie Osteen's book. She is Joel's mother and wife of John Osteen who founded Lakewood church. It is a short read with a ton of great scripture and her explanations of how she used scripture in her battle. As of 2017, she is a 36 year cancer survivor in a really grim situation.
I think that tackling your battle against any sickness, beyond just your means and including scripture, is critical to winning. It is also critical to have support from the people of faith around you. As the famous verse goes, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." ~Mat 18:20 Speaking from experience this past 2 months, Kelly and I have been blessed with a positive outlook for the future, strengthened faith, and no lasting worry or fear. This is a direct result of prayer by the people around us, and God giving these things to us. They are way out of character for us, but we continue to "walk by faith and not by sight." ~2 Cor 5:7 I encourage you to use the weapons below and pray them yourself, with your family, and with the other Christians around you for your illness. You will see a strong fortress built around yourself of peace, faith, healing, and encouragement. ~Psalm 18:2
Here is my list of scripture and please feel free to comment back to me, or reach me at jimbag8@gmail.com with feedback. I did not go into details on how each of these verses/passages impacted me as Dodie Osteen did in attempt to keep it shorter, but I'm always glad to add to the list and/or love a good discussion about scripture. It is also a good idea to read before and after verses to get a grasp of the context around them.
Joshua 1:9 - I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 21:45 - Not one of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Psalm 27:13 - I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (what is your focus? God or the medical report?)
Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Proverbs 3:5,6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 4:20-23 (NRSV) - 20 My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Isaiah 26:4 - trust in the Lord God always, for the the Lord God is the eternal rock.
Isaiah 40:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 40:28-31 - Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Psalm 20: 1,2 - May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
Psalm 50:15 - Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me. - AMPC
Psalm 56:3 - When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Prov 3:5,6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Prov 8:17 - I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. (See Mat 6:33 below)
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to five you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:13 - you will seek me and find me when you seeking me with all of your heart.
Malachi 3:10 - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. [Jim note - I added this because it says blessings. Healing is a blessing. However, if you are not obeying and “Robbing God” as the section header is entitled, you may be shorting yourself of a blessing.]
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Mark 9:24 - Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe, help my unbelief" (faith is a gift from God. If you need more ask!)
Mark 11:22-25 - “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Mark 16:17,18 - 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
John 9:31 - We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.
John 12:26 - I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.
John 15:7,8 - If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:16,17 - You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
John 14:13,14 - And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians 1:20 - For in him every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.” For this reason it is through him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God.
2 Cor 5:7 - For we live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Philippians 1:6 - being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Hebrews 10:35-39 [The Message] - So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute. But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.
Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
1 Peter 5:6,7 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 John 3:21,22 - Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
1 John 4:4 - You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 5:14,15 - And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.
Rev 12:11 - But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to life even in the face of death. [Jim note: Give testimony! You are saved for someone else’s benefit and not just your own. This coupled with Mat 10:39, Mark 16:25, Mark 8:35, and Luke 9:24, you can see that in order to gain your life you must lose it to Christ (turn it over to Him and fully abide in Him)]
Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 - This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Exodus 15:26 - He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keepall his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Exodus 23:25,26 - Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, 26 and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.
Psalm 20:1,2 - May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
Psalm 30:2 - Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
Psalm 34:17 - The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Psalm 41:2,3 - The Lord protects and preserves them they are counted among the blessed in the land he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. 3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.
Psalm 91:14-16 - “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 103:2-5 - Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget how kind he is. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He keeps me from the grave and blesses me with love and mercy. He fills my life with good things, so that I stay young and strong like an eagle.
Psalm 107: 19,20 - Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Psalm 118:17 - I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
Psalm 119:50 - My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Prov 4:20-22 - My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
Isaiah 53:4,5 - Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Jeremiah 17:14 - Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
Luke 6:10 - He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored.
Luke 8:40-56 - Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” 49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Matthew 8:2-3 - and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” 3 He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matthew 8:5-17 - [JESUS HEALS] When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west,and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” [footnote included with scripture: THIS IS THE WORD AND IT IS WRITTEN AS FULFILLMENT OF HEALING BY JESUS’ WOUNDS ON THE CROSS. ISA 53:5 IS A HEALING VERSE TO BE SURE.]
Mark 5:34 - He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Roman 8:11 - If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
Philippians 2:13 - for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 4:19 - And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
James 5:14 - Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
1 Peter 2:24 - He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 5:6,7 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Joel 3:10 - Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weakling say, “I am a warrior.”
Nahum 1:9 - Why do you plot against the Lord? He will make an end; no adversary will rise up twice.
Zechariah 2:5 - And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’
Zechariah 4:6 - So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, says the Lord.
Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 18: 18-20 The Message - [Jim note: When praying ask a friend to join you. There is power in numbers] 18-20 “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”
Luke 12:7 - Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
1 Cor 16:13 - Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
2 Cor 10:3-5 - Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments 5 and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Ephesians 6:10-18 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
2 Timothy 1:7 - for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.
I have compiled this list of scripture from studying over the years (especially now), from other people, from books, and from a few other sources. One such book that I highly recommend that anyone who has any affliction read is Dodie Osteen's book. She is Joel's mother and wife of John Osteen who founded Lakewood church. It is a short read with a ton of great scripture and her explanations of how she used scripture in her battle. As of 2017, she is a 36 year cancer survivor in a really grim situation.
I think that tackling your battle against any sickness, beyond just your means and including scripture, is critical to winning. It is also critical to have support from the people of faith around you. As the famous verse goes, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." ~Mat 18:20 Speaking from experience this past 2 months, Kelly and I have been blessed with a positive outlook for the future, strengthened faith, and no lasting worry or fear. This is a direct result of prayer by the people around us, and God giving these things to us. They are way out of character for us, but we continue to "walk by faith and not by sight." ~2 Cor 5:7 I encourage you to use the weapons below and pray them yourself, with your family, and with the other Christians around you for your illness. You will see a strong fortress built around yourself of peace, faith, healing, and encouragement. ~Psalm 18:2
Here is my list of scripture and please feel free to comment back to me, or reach me at jimbag8@gmail.com with feedback. I did not go into details on how each of these verses/passages impacted me as Dodie Osteen did in attempt to keep it shorter, but I'm always glad to add to the list and/or love a good discussion about scripture. It is also a good idea to read before and after verses to get a grasp of the context around them.
:: Faith and Encouragement ::
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”Joshua 1:9 - I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 21:45 - Not one of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Psalm 27:13 - I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (what is your focus? God or the medical report?)
Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Proverbs 3:5,6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 4:20-23 (NRSV) - 20 My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Isaiah 26:4 - trust in the Lord God always, for the the Lord God is the eternal rock.
Isaiah 40:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 40:28-31 - Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Psalm 20: 1,2 - May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
Psalm 50:15 - Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me. - AMPC
Psalm 56:3 - When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Prov 3:5,6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Prov 8:17 - I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. (See Mat 6:33 below)
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to five you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:13 - you will seek me and find me when you seeking me with all of your heart.
Malachi 3:10 - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. [Jim note - I added this because it says blessings. Healing is a blessing. However, if you are not obeying and “Robbing God” as the section header is entitled, you may be shorting yourself of a blessing.]
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Mark 9:24 - Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe, help my unbelief" (faith is a gift from God. If you need more ask!)
Mark 11:22-25 - “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Mark 16:17,18 - 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
John 9:31 - We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.
John 12:26 - I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.
John 15:7,8 - If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:16,17 - You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
John 14:13,14 - And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians 1:20 - For in him every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.” For this reason it is through him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God.
2 Cor 5:7 - For we live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Philippians 1:6 - being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Hebrews 10:35-39 [The Message] - So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute. But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.
Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
1 Peter 5:6,7 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 John 3:21,22 - Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
1 John 4:4 - You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 5:14,15 - And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.
:: Healing ::
Deuteronomy 7:15 - The Lord will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 - This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Exodus 15:26 - He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keepall his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Exodus 23:25,26 - Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, 26 and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.
Psalm 20:1,2 - May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
Psalm 30:2 - Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
Psalm 34:17 - The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Psalm 41:2,3 - The Lord protects and preserves them they are counted among the blessed in the land he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. 3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.
Psalm 91:14-16 - “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 103:2-5 - Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget how kind he is. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He keeps me from the grave and blesses me with love and mercy. He fills my life with good things, so that I stay young and strong like an eagle.
Psalm 107: 19,20 - Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Psalm 118:17 - I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
Psalm 119:50 - My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Prov 4:20-22 - My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
Isaiah 53:4,5 - Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Jeremiah 17:14 - Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
Luke 6:10 - He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored.
Luke 8:40-56 - Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” 49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Matthew 8:2-3 - and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” 3 He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matthew 8:5-17 - [JESUS HEALS] When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west,and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” [footnote included with scripture: THIS IS THE WORD AND IT IS WRITTEN AS FULFILLMENT OF HEALING BY JESUS’ WOUNDS ON THE CROSS. ISA 53:5 IS A HEALING VERSE TO BE SURE.]
Mark 5:34 - He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Roman 8:11 - If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
Philippians 2:13 - for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 4:19 - And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
James 5:14 - Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
1 Peter 2:24 - He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 5:6,7 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
:: Spiritual Battle ::
The devil wants us down. He does not want you healed because then you will give glory to God and thereby testimony of how God healed you. What better way to prevent your healing then to crush your spirit. Be ready to fight. If it has not already come, it is coming. Know your opposition so that you can combat his tactics with your offensive weapons, the sword of the Word and prayer. Pray these promises from God, to God, and speak the Word boldly, in Jesus' name, to any tactic trying to discourage you or keep you down. Joel 3:10 - Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weakling say, “I am a warrior.”
Nahum 1:9 - Why do you plot against the Lord? He will make an end; no adversary will rise up twice.
Zechariah 2:5 - And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’
Zechariah 4:6 - So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, says the Lord.
Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 18: 18-20 The Message - [Jim note: When praying ask a friend to join you. There is power in numbers] 18-20 “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”
Luke 12:7 - Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
1 Cor 16:13 - Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
2 Cor 10:3-5 - Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments 5 and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Ephesians 6:10-18 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
2 Timothy 1:7 - for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Advocacy in Your Plight
If you are someone with a serious medical issue, first of all know that God is always with you. This is a recurring promise through out the Bible. Here is a list of 13 or so verses about that. If you are a saved Christian, you have access to God, via prayer 24x7 with whatever you want to bring to Him...and you should bring whatever is on your mind to Him, at whatever hour. Yes, that includes frustrations with anything (including God). He is big enough to take it and minister to you about your issue. Fair Warning...when you take an introspective look at things, most of the time you are going to find that the self is smack in the middle of frustrations and trust in God is somehow out on the fringe. :-)
At any rate, I also wanted to talk about advocacy by another human being while visiting doctors and enduring treatments and procedures. Kelly and I were advised by several people who have been care takers and advocates for their husbands while they battled cancer to do the same as we entered into this journey. Let me be very clear, it is CRITICAL to find someone who will be this for you. I am in an unusually strong state as of writing this on 3/16/17, physically, mentally, and spiritually, and still need Kelly to be there, which she always has been. With God a strand of 3 (God, you, and your care taker) is going to be much stronger than any 1 person alone could ever be. God has blessed Kelly and I with faith and a desire to win for His glory. Yes, I have my ups and downs, and so does Kelly. But in the end, we are in it and plan to win it, regardless of the results pending because of our faith.
What does a caretaker / advocate do:
At any rate, I also wanted to talk about advocacy by another human being while visiting doctors and enduring treatments and procedures. Kelly and I were advised by several people who have been care takers and advocates for their husbands while they battled cancer to do the same as we entered into this journey. Let me be very clear, it is CRITICAL to find someone who will be this for you. I am in an unusually strong state as of writing this on 3/16/17, physically, mentally, and spiritually, and still need Kelly to be there, which she always has been. With God a strand of 3 (God, you, and your care taker) is going to be much stronger than any 1 person alone could ever be. God has blessed Kelly and I with faith and a desire to win for His glory. Yes, I have my ups and downs, and so does Kelly. But in the end, we are in it and plan to win it, regardless of the results pending because of our faith.
What does a caretaker / advocate do:
- Be there for the patient. Kelly has done this in spades in spite of my being impatient, cranky, and generally speaking a giant P.I.T.A. for her.
- Capture all records, reports, and CDs from all doctors. While they keep files getting them to successfully transmit files is nothing short of a logistics nightmare.
- Follow up...the medical industry uses a FAX system to send things from one office to another. It is archaic yet, cumbersome due to HIPPA rules and being technically absurd in 2017. Follow up means that someone will have to find the person that is supposed to send a file, verify that they have sent it and have confirmation of it being sent, track down the clerk at the recipient's office and verify that they can find it, and have passed it on to the actual recipient. A follow up call to make sure that the doc/nurse on the other end has looked at it prior to the next appointment is also important. The reason is that our federal government has made health care a very tough business and there have been cut backs. Cut backs have caused time to be at a premium at any facility, so doing your due diligence will put you ahead. Waiting on the other hand will leave you in the dust waiting exponentially longer. Kelly got me from we think we have an issue at doc in the box to the OR table in 3 weeks because of her diligence. We are now in a pathology 1st / 2nd opinion waiting game. I am thankful that we are hear now, instead of not getting to it until much later.
- Do not accept passive answers from doctors. Fight! There are physicians who are ultra risk averse and will check up with absolutes and not offer options. Always ask for options. If there are none offered, find a 2nd opinion.
- Monitor the patient in the hospital and be their advocate. Get a nurses attention. Nurse staffing especially, is low. They are under paid for what they do, they work long hours, and the politely "squeaky wheel gets the greasin'" when in the hospital. We were blessed with great nursing at Chesapeake Regional Hospital and made a point to tell them that in person and in surveys. I was never left wanting for anything. In cases where care is bad, the advocate should be willing to go to the charge nurse and get whatever is needed. Just remember that persistent but polite, wins in the long run.
- Monitor the diet, activity, and physical and mental health of the patient. I for one do not like to take drugs. If there is no pain I get up and move. If there is pain I stay put. Manageable pain is there for a reason with people like me. So, plenty of pain meds can cause me to artificially feel good and consequently have problems due to activity too soon.
- Make the patient do what the doctor says. It is very easy to not feel like doing doctor's orders, which is ultimately at the expense of the patient's health.
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