April 22, 2008
On April 27, 2007, a tumor was surgically removed from the left side of my neck just below my ear. It was embedded deep in the nasopharnyx, below my Eustachian tube. A pathological investigation revealed a cancerous tumor that had begun to metastasize and required several months of radiation and chemotherapy. Before the treatments began on June 4, a port was implanted into my left upper chest providing access to my left subclavian vein through which I would receive drugs, hydration, and even nutrition. Yesterday, almost exactly a year after that fateful discovery, I was admitted to the hospital for minor surgery – the removal of my port. Although my recovery seems slow (though according to my physicians, normal), this event signals the nearness of the end of a long year of emotional, physical, and spiritual battles. The daily trips to the cancer center; lying on the radiation table to be exposed to the powerful radiation waves; the infusions of powerful drugs designed to selectively destroy cancer cells; the excruciatingly painful attempts to swallow; the dramatic weight loss of more than 40 lbs; the many nights of difficult, interrupted sleep. During these many months the love and support of my family, the prayers of my friends, and the love of God served to stoke the embers of my faith and kept me hoping for this day.
For many years to come, I will reminisce about this experience as I observe the visible scars of surgery, one on my neck for the removal of the tumor and one on my chest from the insertion of the port. I have always sensed a cleansing spirituality in this experience and I have looked for vital lessons from this incredible journey. The scar on my neck will forever symbolize the sin experience, the vileness and murderous effects of its tenure in my life – a symbol of the scapegoat bearing the weight of the tragic experience of evil. To insert the port, an incision was made above a vital vein where the connection of port to blood vessel provided an entry point for the medications that would eradicate the diseased cells and supply the life giving nutrition necessary to sustain me.
And isn’t that like our Saviour, who in paying the price for us, bares the scars for us – scars that represent the evil that is sin and the promise of life that is salvation. And although He will forever bare those scars, when He comes for me, He will relieve me of mine. The newness of my life is but a symbol of the time when he will make all things new. What a hope to hold on to! What a promise to live by! And what a faith to sustain me even now as I slowly return to a healthy physical body!
Please continue to hold me up in prayer as the journey faith is still in progress and the final victory is yet to come.
Love and blessings to you all!
Len
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
HEALTH UPDATE XXI
March 18, 2008
I believe in the power of prayer! I grew up in a home where the expression of faith and the power of prayer were as evident in our daily lives as a breath of fresh ocean breeze. During the last few months, the expression of prayer has played a key role in my speedy, miraculous recovery from surgery and the treatments of radiation and chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer. Miraculous, I believe, because the God whom we petition is a God of miracles; a God who specializes in doing for us what life itself cannot do; what medical science often misunderstands; and undoing what the ravages of sin bequeaths to us fallen humanity. My family and I have been strengthened physically, emotionally and spiritually during this experience. I believe that your many prayers have been answered over and over again as you petitioned God on our behalf.
A week ago, I informed you of a setback in my progress. We all prayed that by God’s divine intervention I would be spared another round of surgery. Today, I believe your prayers, our prayers, have been answered. The answer is a confirmation of your faith. The neck and throat swelling that I experienced last week has receded; my breathing is far less labored and near normal. After a visit to my otolaryngologist today, the report is: no cancer, no surgery. He declared that there was no longer a need for surgery since the swelling was far less severe and there was no evidence of active cancer. A later visit to the medical oncologist supported the earlier conclusion. Another follow up PET scan is scheduled for late June with follow up visits also scheduled. Meanwhile, a gradual return to normal activity, including exercise was recommended.
Although my words fail to express the depth of gratitude I feel, I found some which clearly suffice:
Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 145
17 The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. 18 The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He grants the desires of those who fear him;
Psalm 146
1 Praise the Lord! Let all that I am praise the Lord. 2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.
Psalm 147
1 Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!
Love and blessings to you all!
Len
I believe in the power of prayer! I grew up in a home where the expression of faith and the power of prayer were as evident in our daily lives as a breath of fresh ocean breeze. During the last few months, the expression of prayer has played a key role in my speedy, miraculous recovery from surgery and the treatments of radiation and chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer. Miraculous, I believe, because the God whom we petition is a God of miracles; a God who specializes in doing for us what life itself cannot do; what medical science often misunderstands; and undoing what the ravages of sin bequeaths to us fallen humanity. My family and I have been strengthened physically, emotionally and spiritually during this experience. I believe that your many prayers have been answered over and over again as you petitioned God on our behalf.
A week ago, I informed you of a setback in my progress. We all prayed that by God’s divine intervention I would be spared another round of surgery. Today, I believe your prayers, our prayers, have been answered. The answer is a confirmation of your faith. The neck and throat swelling that I experienced last week has receded; my breathing is far less labored and near normal. After a visit to my otolaryngologist today, the report is: no cancer, no surgery. He declared that there was no longer a need for surgery since the swelling was far less severe and there was no evidence of active cancer. A later visit to the medical oncologist supported the earlier conclusion. Another follow up PET scan is scheduled for late June with follow up visits also scheduled. Meanwhile, a gradual return to normal activity, including exercise was recommended.
Although my words fail to express the depth of gratitude I feel, I found some which clearly suffice:
Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 145
17 The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. 18 The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He grants the desires of those who fear him;
Psalm 146
1 Praise the Lord! Let all that I am praise the Lord. 2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.
Psalm 147
1 Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!
Love and blessings to you all!
Len
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)