HEALTH REPORT 09.09.02

For three years I have lived with the knowledge that my cancer would definitely re-occur, the only questions were “when?” and “where would it show up?”  Well the time and place of re-occurance has been answered.

At my three to four month checkup in August a couple of nodules were discovered in my upper chest area.  This discovery along with an increase in the cancer markers in my blood caused my doctor to order a endoscopic biopsy of the nodules.  The biopsy confirmed our suspicions and located another involved nodule.  They are located on the front side of my esophagus, adjacent to my heart. 

My surgeon told me that surgery was an option, but the risks were elevated because of the scar tissue from my surgery in 2006 and the location of the three nodules.  In consultation with my endocrinologist and surgeon, Janell and I decided to transfer to M. D. Anderson in Houston for an evaluation.  M. D. Anderson is experimenting with some chemotherapy for my kind of cancer.  My first appointment is on September 30 and I will be tested and evaluated for a week to see if I am a good candidate for their experimental program of treatment. 

And, can you believe this — Last March I accepted the invitation of the Southwest Chinese Baptist Church in Houston to be their Intentional Interim Pastor.  Several of the members of the church are doctors and other medical personnel employed at M. D. Anderson.  Janell and I are staying in our Casita travel trailer when we are in Houston.  And where is our trailer parked?  We are permanently parked at Lakeview RV Resort on South Main about 5 miles from M. D. Anderson Hospital. 

Janell and I have the most wonderful sense of God’s provisional presence in our lives.  We are in His hands — It is a good place to be!