It Is Finished

As Dr. Trinh did at our 10:30 appointment this morning, let me just get right the results:
PSA level is ZERO, which is the news we were hoping and praying for!  Good news!  Exhale and a fist bump from Tim!

Now, as Dr. Trinh did, let me back up and unpack this a bit.  Back at diagnosis in December, Dad was presented with basically two options: treat with hormone therapy or have a total prostatectomy.  After weighing the pros and cons of each and praying for wisdom, he elected the surgery.  It seemed logical- if the prostate is full of cancer, then get it out!

On February 23rd he had the surgery.  The doctor was very optimistic that day about things 'looking good' and initial pathology yielded good margins.  The date was set for April 10th to recheck PSA levels via bloodwork.  We were told that zero was the goal.  Anything more than zero would require further action to be taken by means of hormone therapy.

I know this has been a burden for Dad, after all, it's cancer.  And cancer is no respecter of persons.  It doesn't matter your age, gender, ethnicity, religion, creed, socioeconomic status, or even if you're a good, bad, healthy, or unhealthy person.  It doesn't even matter if you are a pastor.  It's terrible!  But since surgery day, I had confidence that he'd be ok.

Last night, we had our 2nd of 5 performances of "The Passion of the King" at my church.  During the performance, today's appointment weighed on my heart and I began to grow anxious about the pending results.  But then I watched the "whipping scene", and thought, "He took those lashes, those stripes for Dad."  Then during the crucifixion scene, as they dragged Jesus to the cross, Isaiah began to prophecy,

But he was pierced through for our transgressions
He was crushed for our iniquities
Our sins and transgressions fell upon Him
And by His stripes we are healed.

As the scene finishes, above the thunder and lightning and building music, Jesus screams three words.

It  is  FINISHED.

I didn't hear the audible voice of God, but He spoke to my spirit, "It is finished."  I burst into tears.  He took it ALL upon himself- sin, sickness, shame.  The work was complete.

So, we rejoice today!  PSA level is ZERO.  Dad walked out of the office like he was 10 years younger and 100 pound weights had shed from him.  Tim, Dad, and I went to lunch to celebrate.  (Christina was home sick.)  When he told the server his good news she literally danced for him.  Twirled and threw her arms up in victory and then threw them around Dad's neck and hugged him.  And then she danced again.  She did on the outside what I was feeling on the inside.

So now it is our responsibility to grow from this, to learn from this, and to give God glory through it.

Dad still has a ways to go in recovery.  Pray for him.  He's still experiencing some pain and other side effects, all of which the doctor assures us is 'normal' and should be resolving in the coming weeks.  Good thing because he's anxious to get back on his bike!  They will monitor him closely for a while to be sure nothing else creeps in.

It's unbelievable to think that our immediate family was touched by this twice in the last couple of years.  We are incredibly grateful for those of you who have loved us so well.  Thank you for the cards, visits, for standing with us, for meals, for filling the gaps, and mostly- for the prayers.

Have a blessed Easter as we celebrate the RISEN King of Kings, the HOPE of all the world.  Enjoy this song from another cancer survivor.
Click here.

At the cross the work was finished
You were buried in the ground
But the grave could not contain You
For You wear the Victor's crown

Love,
Amy

Surgery Success

I'm happy to report that Dad's surgery went exactly as planned!  The surgeon (who we all thought was great!) was very pleased with what he saw and what he was able to do.  No complications, no surprises.  That is answered prayer!

He's resting comfortably and in very capable hands.  Christina will spend the night and they will hopefully head home sometime tomorrow.  Then the work starts of keeping him tied down to rest and recover!

Thank you to all who have been praying today and for your continued support through this journey.  Thank you for loving my Dad.  He's a pretty remarkable guy!

Now our prayers are specific.  We are trusting for his PSA levels to drop to zero (as in no.more.cancer) when they test in a couple of months.  We are trusting in God's goodness and faithfulness.  Tonight we rejoice!  We give God the Glory in all things.

Love,
Amy

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