This Friday, April 3rd, is my 4th round of chemo and immunotherapy
As well as meeting with my oncology doctor.
It has been quite the bounce around
Originally meeting with my doctor
And having my chemo today, Wednesday.
Then they shifted my chemo to Friday
Leaving my doctor's appointment today
Which was making us uncomfortable
Going in twice in one week
With all the concern about COVID-19.
Thankfully, the doctor's office called 45 minutes
Before we were to leave this morning
And offered to reschedule the doctor's appointment to Friday also
For which we are very thankful.
It is with double mixed feelings
That we head in on Friday for my treatment
One, because I am enjoying feeling better at this point
And going in for the chemo treatment
Am very aware of the side effects
That will change that pretty quick:(
And, Two, because of potential exposure to COVID-19
While hanging out for five hours
In a treatment room full of people!
An article in the New York Times today
Captures this concern:
"Patient has Virus and Serious Cancer.
Should Doctors Withhold the Ventilator?"
That would be me!
Obviously providing another opportunity
To have fear or to have faith...
And I'll admit that
I bounce back and forth between the two:(
Knowing that to depart and be with Jesus
I.e. die
Is by far the greatest thing that could happen to me
Or any of us:)
But to remain with Cindy
And be of further use to Jesus here
Is certainly a huge and gripping desire.
I pray for all of us
God's grace and peace
To live by faith and without fear
As we hope in Him!
Yes!
Thank you for reading and supporting
My cancer journey...
Blessings,
Dave
As always appreciate your insight and wisdom. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and continuing to be an inspiration to us all. Praying for you, Dave. ❤
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for you and Cindy. God heal and defend you and get you through Friday and beyond in His hand.
ReplyDeleteWe are so thankful you are with us, but so sorry for the pain and discomfort from the treatment. I am reminded of Steve’s mom sharing Jesus with all the doctors and nurses right up to the end of her life. And they came to her memorial and shared what an impact she had on their lives.
ReplyDeleteDave, you have an impact on so many people and even the nurses and doctors who are treating you. God won’t call you home until your work is done. Keep sharing Jesus and loving people. Today is the only day that matters.
Love you bunches,
Ru and Steve
Same old boring comment from me today, “Keep going!” Seems like ‘another 15 years, please’ would not be an unreasonable request. You have, however, framed the core issue well (IMHO): stay here and serve, or go There and glory in the unspeakable countenance of the One who ordains our footsteps. Love and blessings to you and your family, in Messiah Jesus, Amen.
ReplyDeleteWe vote to keep you here....
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DeleteGod gifted me this as fear hunts me down. I wrote it out last year. I hope it is of good encouragement.
ReplyDelete"I am standing in a vast field overgrown with wildflowers. The field is surrounded by an old forest. I see the man who hunts me in the distance. He is HUGE. Rising above the tree tops. That's why I can see him so clearly from so far away. He's searching for me through the trees.
He sees me in the clearing, and immediately zeroes in on me with his vision, like a hawk. He starts cutting a path towards me swiftly. Never taking his eyes off me. I get a little anxious as I see his determination, and intent to punish and posses me. And then something strange happens.
You know how, when things move closer to you, they appear bigger than when they are really far away? When you're at the top of a ferris wheel people look tiny, but when you're down low, they all look normal size.
Likewise it is when people approach you from a distance. They get bigger, and that thought freaked me out because he was already towering over the tree tops from so far away.
The weird thing was, as he got closer and closer to me, rather than getting bigger as he got closer, his body seemed to shrink. Every step closer he got to me, he got smaller. Yet his swift approach never once faltered.
He stopped when he finally got within arms reach of me. By that point, he was the size of a 1 year old toddler. He bent down to touch my shoe, to claim me. As soon as the pad of his finger barely brushed the top of my shoe he immediately shrunk down to the size of my shoe. He glares at me defiantly and starts revving up to touch my shoe again.
At this point I can see us, both of us, from an outsider's perspective. I can see now that he did not shrink at all, but it is I who grew(with God). And when he touched my shoe, I grew to encompass the entire sky over our heads, and forest.
I see him through my own eyes now. With new understanding, I smile at him who hunted me. While I boldly and gently say, "I am not for you." Before I take a step back (just as he reaches to touch my shoe again) and join the rest of my body up in the stars. Like a blanket over the Earth.
He stands there, tiny, defiant in the field. Sneering at the stars, defiant to the end.
I am not for her who hunts me. I am for God."
I love you Pastor Dave. I am always encouraged as I read through your blogs. There is often sharpening in the struggle. We will continue to pray for you, your family, and healthcare team.
--with love eternal from the Steiner family
Praying for your safety to be protected from covid! On a practical note, I heard docs saying to stay in your car until the the doc's office calls you to come up. Maybe you can arrange for that?
ReplyDeletePraying for your protection, for peace, and for strength in this journey. We love you.
ReplyDeleteYou are loved.
ReplyDeletePraying for peace for your heart and mind. Love you Dave and Cindy!!
ReplyDeleteNothing is impossible with Faith and Hope and Trust🙏🌞🛐 💚
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are still here! You are an inspiration and I have leaned alot from you and the Refuge church. Happy Easter Day !