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.
