Encouragement and Suffering

One week ago today

December 19th

I had my 6 month followup consultation with my doctor in Texas

As I mentioned before

It was over the phone

As I was not up to traveling to Austin, Texas

To meet with her.

It was a good consultation

Bringing both some encouragement and another reminder of the long process I'm involved in

Battling this enemy within my body.

The consult can be summarized in three ways:

1. This is a marathon...not a sprint!  Her exact words...

In other words, I need to be in this for the long haul

Which can be tough because of #2

2. Feeling bad is good! 

This is a hard one...

But it shows that the pancreatic enzymes are working attacking the cancer cells

Producing waste that then needs to be eliminated from my body

Thus the regular detoxing

And the feeling that there is a battle going on inside of me

Which there is!

The "feeling bad" gets worse as I get closer to the end of each 20 day cycle

Before taking a 5 day break to give my body a rest.

Which not only affects me physically, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually

But the good news is...

3. Testing showed that there is progress! 

That the cancer seems to be slowly decreasing...

Good News!!

Though with a long ways to go still

Thus the marathon.

So, thank you again for your incredible support, prayer and encouragement

As I am on this cancer journey.

I'm just finishing another 20 day cycle so the past several days have been tough

Feeling nasty much of the time

But I begin my 5 day break tomorrow!

Yay:)

This process has also made me much more aware of the incredible suffering that many of you

Or your family and friends are also experiencing

As we do this life journey together.

I pray that you find the same peace and hope and joy in Jesus that I seek and long for myself each day

Blessings,

Dave

A Brief Update

It's been a couple of weeks

So I thought I'd briefly update you all on where things are at

In my cancer journey.

Cindy and I have been regularly draining my left lung

Almost every other day

Using the PleurX catheter.

It is pretty nifty

And sure beats regular trips to the ER.

Since November 25th

We've drained almost 6 liters from my lung!

Which after the first couple of times

Boils down (not literally) to 500 ml each time

Too bad we can't use it for something...

Besides the PleurX

My routine remains pretty consistent

With the daily diet, supplements and detoxing.

I was supposed to have a consult with my doctor in Austin, TX

On December 19th,

But feeling not too great

Actually pretty lousy

Much of the time

We cancelled our flights

And are doing a phone consult instead.

In a way things have become pretty routine

Doing what I'm supposed to be doing

Hoping that the treatment is having a positive impact

While at the same time ultimately hoping in God.

I probably have a good emotional crash

Once or twice a week

As it all overwhelms me

With my incredible wife, Cindy, here to pick up the pieces!

Thanks again to all of you

For praying and encouraging and supporting me

In this cancer journey.

Dave