Break In's Are Downers!

On Wednesday, February 8, I woke up feeling fine.  I drove myself to Chattanooga to the doctors office for my regularly scheduled blood test and then back home by 9:30a.m.  William W. ( good friend and fellow church member)was bringing me a dump truck load of driveway gravel and was bringing his Bobcat to help me spread the gravel and perhaps help me with a few other touches on making the grounds look better.   When we arrived, this is what we saw!

Screen ripped off the window leading from the kitchen to the front porch.

A rocking chair had been taken from the front porch and placed in front of the bed-room window.  Both glasses had been shattered.

Inside the bedroom the bureau drawers had been opened and rifled through.  It appears to me they were looking for a handgun?  How foolish do they think I am?

Now, while William dumped the gravel, I tried to find a board adequate to cover the window that had been broken.  I found a piece of 5/8 Advan-tec - but it was too narrow.  However, by cutting it with a hand-saw and stacking them, plus a piece of outside siding that had been in the scrap pile, I was able to seal it all up.

Naturally, my feelings sunk.  I had no heart to eat.  I managed to eat a pack of peanut butter crackers and drink a bottle of water.  All that exertion had exhausted me.  I think that's why the next day I still had no appetite and felt rotten.  Checked the fever and it was too high.  So - I was from the bed to the couch to the lounge chair for the next three days.  Dr. Rick Moore, a friend and respected professor with a doctorate in Old Testament (who also happens to be a nephew) came by last night and prayed a special prayer for me.  He is a rare individual who is in touch with God.  Today, I'm much better. 

NO...don't worry!  Just breathe an extra prayer.  I'm going to be fine.  In Jesus' Name.

Third Chemo Treatment

Jonquils are popping out in our yard.  Spring is Coming!

This is the pump that fits into the pouch and is attached to the surgical port under my left clavical.

I can hardly believe it! But here, just outside our front door the jonquils are already popping out. And I think that in just a few more weeks all this chemo treatment will  pass and I'll have new life also. Jehovah God is an awesome God!

Here is the belt pouch that holds the chemo-pump which I wear for two nights.

I decided to get a new haircut!

This is one of the scenes I passed on the way to Church last Sunday, January 29

Our Youth Group at the Tellico Plaina, TN Church of God Singing

For now, here's what happened: 

Yesterday morning, at 7:20a.m., my brother Wil joined me for the trip to Chattanooga Oncology center and stayed with me the during the lab-work, doctor visit and chemo treament. We started chemo at 9:45 and finished at 12:00p.m., at which time a "chemo-pump" was attached which I must wear until Friday. It's un-comfortable to wear - especially while trying to sleep - but not un-bearable.

Everything went smoothly. The doctor was pleased with the results of the blood work and feels we are making good progress.

I so appreciate your praying for me. May the Lord bless you in return. I'm convinced that your prayers are making a difference in the level of side-effects being felt. They have been very minimal to date.

Supportive Friends and Family

Mother, Frances, and my youngest brother, Lowell

Debbie and Dewain and Me after a meal at Cracker Barrell

Two wonderful meals that my neice, Jean Hamilton prepared and brought for me.

I thank God for my Family.  We are close friends and spend time together regularly.  Any excuse for a party (Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New years,) brings us together at some one of our homes or in a restaurant where we socialize, tell stories (some true, some embellished), tell jokes, maybe sing awhile, pray together and enjoy one another's company.

One of Frances' neices (Jean Moore) lives here in Cleveland, TN where her husband Rick teaches Old Testament at Lee University.  She is an RN and works with hospice.  She is a twin and has another sister and a brother.  Frances and I have always enjoyed all of her siblings as we have watched them grow from the time they were born.  With her busy schedule - she still found time to come check on her Uncle Fred when I first came home from the major surgery in November.  Then - a few nights ago - she and Rick came by and delivered the delicious meal that you see laid out on our kitchen stove.  What a sweetheart she is. 

Mamaw, Dewain, Frances, Frank, Elizabeth are Frances' family visiting in our home.

Sometimes I like solitude.  I enjoy being alone for two to three days at a time now and then.  Some of you know of my love for the out-of-doors and that I go to the mountains alone and spend time there reading and thinking and praying when I'm not hunting or fishing.  But I love being with my family and close friends.  When you are in a crisis, your family and friends really matter (or at least I can say it seems to me that they matter) more than ever.  Tomorrow, as I go for my second chemo-therapy treatment, my closest minister friend (Dr. E.L. Williams) will be driving for me.  It's thirty miles to the treatment center.  He will spend about 8 hours of his valuable time waiting on me.  I am a blest man to have such a wonderful family and friends.

Me and My Siblings

Dr. Ed Williams, delivering "Meals on Wheels"

Ed and Me

Music To Grow On

I was just listening to a site on You Tube where many of my friends and acquaintances are involved in singing from a song book that came out many years ago and was widely distributed by Pathway Press.  This was the main song book for our local churches in the organization known as Church of God, with International Headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee.  This chapel is on the campus of Lee University and I pass this chapel each time I go over to visit my Mom - which is fairly regularly.  I just thought you might like to listen also, so I'm posting the URL here. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE97KEfW2Y0

If that fails, just go to you tube and search for "red back hymnal night"

This particular video is one hour and 40 minutes long - so you may want to be sure to have something to snack on sitting beside your chair.  That is if you like southern gospel music! ☺  These songs bring back so many memories. 

Now we also had a "Convention" book, which was a collection of new songs written and collected and placed in a smaller paper-backed book.  At the annual Camp-Meeting, someone (sometimes the author - like Charlie B. Wycuff or Otis McCoy or Vep Ellis) would lead their new song from the Convention book.  I remember when Charles Wycuff first led us in his song, "What A Lovely Name, The Name of Jesus" and the crowd went ballistic with joy.  Oh what powerful times of un-abashed and un-ashamed worship in song.  One of my hunting buddies wrote a song after the red backed hymnal was published which became very popular in our local churches.  You may have heard Eddie Williams' song, "Jesus Will Hear Me When I Pray".  And Yes, there was shouting in the camp wherever and whenever it was sung.

The Song Book - Believe by Gospel Heritage Music

Mama's Song, "I'm Leaving Here"

My Mom also had one of her songs recently published in one of those paper-backed convention style books (2012).  It's called "I'm Leaving Here".  I MUST try to video tape her singing it and put it up for you to see also.  It's a good one.  The book is called "Believe Gospel Song Collection" and is published by Gospel Heritage House.

Well ... I didn't mean to write so much here.  Just wanted you to have that URL so you could have access to some good gospel music.

Chemo-Therapy

 

Now, Mom, Here's What The Doctor Said

On December 22, 2011 our first born daughter drove her mother and me to the Medical Oncologist's office for consultation on the type of treatment I was to receive. 

Frances waits in the lobby with a handful of papers to read which tell about different options for treatment of my cancer.

There were three options:  1) A surgical port could be placed under the skin on my chest and this would become the entry-way for the chemicals that would be used to fight the intestinal stage four cancer.  It was explained that via this port I could avoid having the nurses search for a good vein each time I came to the treatment center.  Blood samples for lab testing could also be taken through this port.  This would require minor surgery.   2) I could opt out of the surgery and trust the nurses to find the vein each time.  Since I have had the nurse miss the vein a couple of times already, I decided I did not like this option.  3)  A third option would be to take chemo via a pill (actually four pills a day) that is still somewhat in the testing stage as far as side effects go. 



Number One Daughter, who is a school teacher, sits with pen in hand...ready to take notes



I asked the doctor to allow me to sleep on this decision.  At first I felt that it would be easier to just get the pills and take them - but then I would still have to go to the treatment center every couple of weeks for lab work.  So with either of the three options we must travel to Chattanooga for this treatment.  That's not bad for it is only about 30 miles from our home in Cleveland.  Too - I wanted to talk this decision over with Frances.  Fifty four years ago the two of us became as one. 

So we stopped by the Cracker Barrell and went to the "Consultation Room"!

Second Born, "Favrite One" daughter was available for the first day of Chemo


So Chemo therapy sessions started on January 4, 2012.  I will be going to the treatment center every two weeks to spend 5 to 6 hours in a recliner, allowing the doctors to inject chemicals into my system that are designed to kill the "bad cells".  The problem with all the methods of administering the chemo remains the same.  The chemo can also kill some of the "good cells", thus creating sometimes severe side-effects.  I will be o.k., I know that for sure.  However, I will appreciate your prayer that God will cause the chemo to do what it is designed to do in killing the bad cells and pray that at the same time it has no effect on anything that my body needs in order to get well.



Aha! We've got it all sorted out now!

Go Ahead!  Make My Day!

"Unto You..."

Christmas is a time of JOY!  In this picture Frances and I are celebrating Christmas with some friends at a local restaurant.  Our town was full of lights and Christmas music was spilling from all the speakers in the mall.  What a wonderful, wonderful time of the year.

During Christmases in Nairobi when we were away from our children - we decided to invite all of our neighbors children into our home to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Here we had drafted children of our Hindu, Muslim, Bhuddist, and other African friends for a Nativity drama. 

Christmas is all about the Children

Even grown-up Children

A Very Special Nativity Collection

Our Christmas Angel

Our Family Poses for A Picture Before Eating

And What Would Christmas Be Without Snow?

A Savior is born, which is Christ, the Lord!  What great news it was.  What great news it is.  Jesus came to earth to die for our sins.  This Savior was not just for the nation of Israel - but for all the nations of the world.  To all who would believe and receive him he gave power to become the children of God.  Our salvation was not free - but it is provided for us at no cost to us.  Jesus died that we may live.  We celebrate His birth on December 25th, Christmas day.  We will celebrate his death and resurrection on Easter Sunday.  Amidst all the tinsel and glitter and the warm glow of giving and receiving gifts during the season let us remember that God, our Father in Heaven, gave us the greatest gift - His only begotten son.

Ruthie's Bunch

With The Pet

AND A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!

Post-Surgery Up-date

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Sitting in Portera's Office

Finally -- December 22^nd, we met Dr. Michael Stipanov, our Medical Oncologist, with whom we discussed three different options for treatment of any stray cancer cells which may be remaining in my body after surgery.  Three options were presented through which I would receive the chemo: 1) A surgical port could be installed in the chest area and chemicals inserted once every two weeks;   2) The medicine could be delivered via I.V. injections (if my veins were "good");   or, #3) I could take a pill twice a day every day for six months.  I have decided to go with the procedure in which there will be a "port" surgically inserted into my chest, through which the "chemo-cocktail" will be delivered once every two weeks for the next six months.   This decision was made after much care, prayer and deliberation.

Part of the Consultation Team

"No...See...here is what the Dr. said."

Keeping in mind that the Lord has said, "I'm healing you",  I continue to have every confidence that the Lord is with me each step of the way.  I have had a couple of rough days – but over all I continue to feel really good!

Today - I feel great! I have walked a mile on my treadmill for three of the past five days.  We are looking forward to having two of our children, their children and our children's children together with my Mom with us for a "Christmas Celebration" in our home this afternoon.