Hope Eternal

After many months of fighting the ravenous effects of cancer, hope for a bright future has begun to appear just over the horizon. What a journey it has been. With Christ before us, Harry and I have fought battle after battle after battle. Prayer. Suffering. More prayer. Faith. Tears. Trust. More tears. And hope. Hope for the future. Hope for a brighter day. Hope for life beyond cancer.

Our hope for life beyond cancer in eternity is certain. We both know we will be in heaven with God when we die. But this week Harry's doctors gave us a report of hope for this side of eternity. His orthopedic surgeon, the doctor who removed the surprisingly dried up tumor from his hip and rebuilt his hip bone, said to Harry, "for a man with cancer, you are doing great." The doctor made that statement after providing Harry with the results of last week's x-rays and MRI. The tests were clear. Harry's hip and clavicle, though impacted by cancer, are doing fine.

Ready to receive chemo

That was Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, we received the best report of all. When Harry's oncologist began the chemo treatments he is currently receiving (about seven months ago), she said Harry would be on chemo indefinitely. This meant he would be on chemo for the rest of his life. But this week she reversed that. She said after about ten more chemo treatments and if tests remain good, she will stop the chemo, giving Harry a break. Wow!!! From indefinite treatments to a few more treatments is a blessing that only God can do.

The reports of the doctors sounded like music to our ears. Speaking of music, Harry got up Wednesday morning singing the song, "It's a Good Day Today." He sang throughout the day, even while the nurse was administering his chemo treatment. Not only was it a good day, it was a day of hope.

Many of you have told us that you continue to pray for Harry and me. Thank you so much. Keep praying. This journey is not over.

A Box of Chocolate

Quoting his mom, Forrest Gump said, "Life is a like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get." That was certainly true of Harry and me. We never expected that he would be in the fight for his life with lung cancer. It's been more than a year since Harry was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer--a year and five months to be exact. With the diagnosis, he received a prognosis of ten months. But God!!! Harry has received God's gracious blessings. God has not healed him, but God has kept Harry. That is one of the reasons, we have not blogged in a while. It's because Harry is doing so well. Because he is doing so well, he wanted to write the blog for the first time:

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and  every one for the kind birthday wishes and for your prayers as I have journeyed this road. For the past year and a half, my life has totally been given over to God. On March 21, 2016, I received news that has changed my life. I was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. My oncologist, Dr. Sally York, looked at me and the test results and with a look that said, how do I give him this news, she proceeded to say, “Go home and put all your affairs in order, and if you have a bucket list, then start fulfilling it."

Harry at Discovery Park of America this summer.

I knew what the doctor was saying but did not want to accept the inevitable. My wife wanted facts. She wanted to know what we were up against. Dr. York told her that I had approximately ten months to live. It was then and there that I had to make the biggest decision of my life; I needed to decide whether I was going to live by the words that I preached. I politely told Dr. York that God did not give me that prognosis and that He would take care of me.

Well on June 14 of this year, I celebrated my 64th birthday by the grace, mercy, kindness, and love of almighty God. Because of Him, I tell everybody of what God can do. All we need to do is put our faith in Him and believe with all our heart, soul, and might. I believed that if I lost my focus and waivered one iota,  I would lose. I had to believe because I wanted to live. God has shown me the preciousness of  life through this journey. He has shown me that many of us take our days for granted. But we must realize that we only have a short amount of time here on earth and to waste that time would be a  sin.

This life means so much more to me now because it is not mine. It is God's life to use for His glory, and I intend to do so. I pray that all who spend their days dreaming about tomorrow will begin putting into action what you are dreaming about. My life could have been over, and I would not be here today to write this blog. I thank God each day for every ounce of breath  I draw. You could be reading my obituary, but hallelujah, this is a testament of God’s goodness.

This journey has been trying at times for both me and my wife. But we both had to remain faithful to God and trust Him with our lives. To each one of you who have prayed, you need to know the power of your prayers. When I was at its lowest, it was your prayers that brought me through. God used you to bless us spiritually, physically, and financially. Each of those gifts were always timely. Your financial gifts fulfilled a need because I had to retire earlier than I anticipated. I was ready to work because I had just received my doctorate and wanted to pursue other academic adventures. However, that has changed. We will be on this journey for the rest of my life. Chemo continues, but every new scan reveals the cancer has not spread and all my blood and vitals are normal. I struggle with side effects--a level of tiredness and other bodily ills, and I am continuing to make the adjustment to a new normal, but through it all, God has blessed. As my wife said, earlier when she quoted Forrest Gump, "Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you are going to get." But whatever you get--good or bad--is okay when you place it in God's hands. He will carry you through.

Poster Child

Harry and I apologize for not posting an update in awhile. We stepped aside to enjoy a couple of months of stress-free life as we savor all that God had done throughout the past year. There really has not been anything new to share until now, and all continues to be good news.

Harry's recovery from hip surgery has been slow, but he continues to make steps day by day toward viability. His last visit to his orthopedic surgeon was good. The doctor said the incision was healing well and his bones look great.

But Harry's oncologist continues to deliver the report that has blessed us. She cannot deny that something bigger than the medicine and herself has taken place in Harry's body. She revealed the pathology report on the tumor that was removed from his hip as "inactive" and said there was nothing viable for researchers to use. She told us last Wednesday that she talks about Harry all the time, calling him her poster child. Harry's status gives other doctors hope for what can be accomplished in other patients with the same diagnosis.

To say that God has blessed us does not adequately convey what has transpired in our home. The doctors' projection for where we would be at this time was not fulfilled. God's will superseded all that we were told and it has prevailed. It is a story that we cannot keep to ourselves. Harry and I are in the process of writing out a few things that we hope will strengthen others.


At church this past Sunday

The journey is not over. Though we have begun to jump back into life, getting out of the house, attending church, and so forth, we still need your prayers. Harry is dealing with receiving chemo every other week to keep the tumors in his body stabilized. Please pray for his wellness. Sometimes, he just does not feel well. His hip still causes him considerable pain. Please pray that the pain will lessen. And finally, pray for financial relief. Through all of this, Harry lost his job. We have some benefits but have had some financial crises that have dried up resources.

We love all of our family and friends and are blessed to have you in our lives. Please know that we pray for God's continued blessings to flow in your lives.