The Appointment

We came up last night to spend the night with Lou (Christina's brother) and watch the Patriots beat the Steelers (sorry, Calvin) on the eve of a momentous day. Today is the day of the MRI! I have waited for this test for nearly two months. We will drive into Boston this afternoon. Again, I'm so glad the Lord orders my steps. Psalm 139:16, "In Your book were all written the days appointed for me." So, this is an appointment on an appointed day!
Last week I had a CT scan which, together with the MRI, should be a fairly good summation of what is going on with the cancer, which in turn should give directives for needed treatment. Just knowing it's there and feeling the occasional twinge makes me eager to be done with this. While I know this isn't the end, not even the beginning of the end, I'm hoping that I'm close to the end of the beginning. I am so appreciative of the prayer, emails, phone calls, hugs, cards, etc. I am especially aware of and dependent on God.
Gil

Tests Coming Soon

Hello friends.

   

Today our country celebrates the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.  I am thankful for the work he did in issues about equality.  He also shares his birthday (which was actually 1/15) with two incredible people.  They are Lisa and Colombo IV!  Their births made me a father and a grandfather!

   

We had a wonderful week going to Florida, and even though we were there only four days, it was a good break.  It was as much driving as visiting, but it was all enjoyable, even the four days in the car.  It is always nice to be with Christina’s brother Lou.  He is very knowledgeable about medical issues and willing to share what he knows.  We spent an afternoon with Bill and Anne at the beach.  We rode our bikes.  We had Eli’s barbecue.  Ahh!!  Life is good!

   

There are some changes since last week.  Around New Year’s I noticed I had some discomfort so when my doctor called last week, I mentioned it.  She immediately wanted a CT scan of my lower abdomen.  She also moved the MRI up a week, so this Wednesday, 1/18 we go to Boston and then again on Monday, 1/23.  My hope and prayer is that the scans reveal what needs to be seen so that this process can move along.

  

I still feel strong, with my spirits very optimistic.  I know I am in good hands, and I trust the Lord implicitly with my future and the futures of my loved ones.  I pray you all have a blessed day.

Gil

Waiting

Waiting. We all do it, though most of us don’t enjoy it.  We wait in store lines. We wait in restaurants with the buzzer thingies.  We wait for special days like birthdays.  We wait for special people.  Waiting usually depends on everything reaching the moment when the obstacles to our goal are out of the way so that the desired event can happen.  Summer has to arrive for school to end, the people ahead of us have to finish whatever it is they do to hinder us, sickness must run its course for us to feel better, etc, etc. 

I am waiting.  I am not waiting to start treating the cancer in my body.  I am still in the line waiting to see what the treatment should be.  I have to wait for the prostate to heal from the biopsy trauma so that a crucial MRI can be done.  I would like to get on with it, already!  I don’t have time for this, but it is out of my control.  So, I wait.

I wait, but not huddled in a corner tormented by worry or fear.  I am in Florida as I write this, not because I am running away from the wait, but to try to make the most of it and the best of it, like riding my bike with the woman I love.  I know God is faithful and provides.  By God’s grace and with His help I will wait for January 30 and the MRI and beyond.  I am waiting.

I am grateful and appreciate the love and support of my family, my congregation at the Putnam Baptist Church, and all the people who are praying for us and waiting with us.  Thank you all.

Love, 

Gil

My Current Status

Hello everyone.

I thought I should let you know that at this time I am doing well with no pain. I am still flying from the good news of the scans being good and not showing cancer anywhere else except in the prostate gland. Usually the attitude is “wait and see” for prostate cancer because it is usually such a slow-growing kind. They tell me that this is not that kind. I have heard ‘very aggressive’ several times.

I think the fact that it hasn’t spread to other places is significant because there are different treatment options available. I will know a lot more after the MRI on January 30. We can see God’s hand in this. I can even thank God for turning 65, because it was my coming of age that prompted me to go for a 2 ½ years overdue annual exam. The reason I went was that I thought it would be good to tidy things up in my life; a physical, a hearing test, getting some teeth fixed and signing up for Medicare.

I say all that to encourage you, the ones I love, to get physicals and testing done, because early detection is a lot easier to deal with than if the bad cells having a chance to grow and spread. Christina and I are trusting the Lord for a good end. I John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Our desire is to line our will up with God’s will and watch Him work!

Love,
Gil

Clear Scans

Dad received the phone call today that his bone scans are clear and the doctor is confident that the cancer is contained to only the tumor on the prostate.  This is wonderful news!  It has not spread further, which hopefully means it will be straight-forward and easily treated.  He will have a more sophisticated, localized MRI done at the end of January and then we should get a treatment plan.  Tonight, we rejoice in this very good news!

The "C" Word

On November 28, 2016, Dad went in to biopsy a nodule that was found during a routine exam on his prostate.

Two long weeks later, on December 9th, he was officially diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.

In many ways, this is simply devastating for our family.  After all, Dad is Dad.  He has no equal and many, many, many people love and rely on him for so much.  He has always been there.  Also, this diagnosis came just months after Lisa got through with her 2 1/2 year battle with colon cancer.  We are tired and we know exactly how challenging treatment can be both physically and emotionally.

But still, our hope and faith are strong.  We trust in a good and faithful and unfailing God who knows all and who will most certainly carry Dad and all of us through this trying time.  We are NOT hopeless or fearful, more just sad and weary.  At least that is how I personally feel.  It's difficult to see someone so loved and wonderful and otherwise healthy get hit with news like this.

I have set up this blog to be used as an update center.  For now, myself, Lisa, Dad, and Christina are set up as contributors and we will do our best to post often with updates.  He will see any "comments" that are left here if you wish to send a note.

For now, this is what I know:
He has a tumor the size of a marble.
He will be seeking treatment at Dana Farber in Boston.
He will have a bone scan to be sure the cancer has not spread.
He will have an MRI to determine the best course of treatment.

We are so grateful for great doctors, medical advancements, and ever-evolving technology and treatment.  If you think of us, please pray.

~Amy