LIFE AT 60 - CANCER SUCKS - JESUS HEALS

I think the title of this one says it all.  Today was a day of mind bending information and honestly Im having a bit of trouble wrapping my head around it.  I actually borrowed this title from my daughters Face Book status.  I will say, I would be totally lost without my wife and my daughter.  They are the light of my life, and now will be the people that I lean on with all of this stuff.  If you remember my last blog, about the 3 F's, they are now coming more clearly into focus.  FAITH, FAMILY, and FRIENDS!

I will admit that my FAITH was a bit shaken today.  It did not disappear, but was shaken.  2 Dr appointments, one with a Radiation Oncologist and one with a Hematology Oncologist.  (HATE these words)!  The 1st was not a pleasant experience.  I don't know if I just was in a daze or did not like what I heard, or what it was, but I was just a bit shaken leaving that appointment.  The words, 35 radiation treatments, 7 weeks, 5 days a week.  You will lose your taste, you might lose your salivary glands, you might, might, might, might.  Im sure you can imagine what Im saying.  Just a lot of questions, and a lot of answers, very cut and dried, and depressing.  :)  The most encouraging part was that whatever is lost/damaged, or just messed up, will "probably" come back.  2nd appointment of the day, was actually a bit more upbeat.  This Dr was very pleased with the fact that I had the P16 marker, (2 blogs ago), and was pretty enthusiastic about the probability of total cure.  In fact he is presenting my case to a group of Dr's on Friday to get more opinions on treatments and possibilities etc.

Hard to think about everything that has to be done, and accomplished for anything to even start.  I had to go to the dentist and make sure all my teeth were in place and not loose or any decay or whatever.  Things you really dont think about.  Happy to say, that is all good.

Next on the list is another appointment with the Hematologist on Friday to discuss for sure treatments.  Next is Tuesday.  I will have to have a port put in so that the chemo drugs can be administered.  Then probably within a couple of days after that.  The whole idea being that they will do 2 rounds of chemo, and see what happens, then maybe or maybe not, one more round, then start the radiation treatments.  The chemo will be one time then a 3 week period of nothing, then another treatment, and 3 weeks off, then check it out.  Radiation is a done deal regardless.

OK that is about WHY cancer sucks.  I have a wonderful FAMILY that Im discovering is more that just my wife, daughter and son in law.  I have discovered that I have a wonderful extended family at my church, and other Christian friends around the country and literally the world.  Interesting enough, my church is called FAMILY Church.  I could not possibly be in a better place right now.  Im discovering that the FAMILY of God is really just like a large integrated family.  Ive never had to put my FAITH and trust in other peoples hands.  However that is all changing.  Im also discovering that when my faith meter is a bit low, it is boosted at just the right time by FRIENDS that are praying for me.   There's those words again, FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS!  I feel so incredibly blessed and humbled by all of this.  My faith is someplace it has never been before.  My family has grown outside of what it was, and my friend base is ever increasing.  In fact the FAMILY and FRIENDS are almost meshing as one.  It is pretty incredible watching this take place.

Now on to why I believe that JESUS HEALS!  It is really quite simple.  Jesus said it.  That settles it.  For those that read this, and are not believers, this might be a bit hard to understand, but that is MY faith, and I cannot nor will I waiver from that.  Jesus died on the cross for not only our salvation, but for ALL of our iniquities, and that includes sickness.  I mentioned earlier that my faith was shaken just a bit, but remember I have family and friends to back that all up, and that faith meter is climbing again.  Yeah I will probably have a difficult couple of months, but I KNOW that I will also have God on my side.  I was told when they did the biopsy that I would have a REALLY sore throat.  It was sore, but not unbearable.  Im confident that I will probably have discomfort, maybe a lot of discomfort, but I also KNOW that if God can be with me thru the early parts of this, HE WILL NOT LEAVE me in this part. I had a friend just the other day say that she was in the mood for a miracle, so why should it not be me?  I thought that was pretty cool to think about.  I don't know if I will experience a miracle or not.  I believe I could, but maybe there is someone out there that needs to hear what I have to say, or read what I write, or just needs an encouraging word.  I have seen people lately that are desperate for something to lift their spirits.  MAYBE, just maybe I can be that person.  I know one thing, I cant do that if Im not strong myself.  I need the FAITH, FAMILY, and FRIENDS supporting me, praying for me, and in general just offering kind words.  Most of you will never know how wonderful it is to have some kind words thrown my way, or for someone to say, Hey Mike, Im praying for you.  It is so very humbling.

SO, if you are reading this for the 1st time, or have been following my blog, THANKS.  If you have been praying for me, DONT STOP!  One day when all this is over and a memory, I will never forget it.  I want to be able to share with you God's GRACE, MERCY, and LOVE.