Settling in

Sat 09/22/07
The fact that these reports are more periodic than regular episodes means we're settling in to more of the routine of life in our circumstances than the crisis mode of previous hospitalizations – a good thing. Susan continues to work hard in daily physical therapy as our faithful friends help each morning and afternoon. Saturday marked Susan's second session with Herb Stockman and his quantum biofeedback device. Like before, the visit was relaxing and therapeutic, treating her for imbalances in a variety of areas and detoxifying her system.

Sun 09/23/07
We enjoyed an uplifting message from Jason Brown at church on being the salt of the earth and the light of the world along with the always-inspiring worship music at Emmanuel Church. Susan looked darling in the new clothes Lori White helped her buy. The 9am service seems to fit best right now in allowing Susan her much-needed rest in the late morning.
At dinner, we hosted our dear friends Jeff and Jayne Nord at our home. As I've mentioned before, Jeff was diagnosed with a brain tumor only weeks before Susan. We find great comfort in sharing our experiences as we are traveling this bizarre journey together, and continue praying for Jeff's healing and strength. Their website is http://www.nordsville.blogspot.com/.

Mon 09/24/07
I laid low this morning with another gallstone attack that came on about 3am, managing to handle it with pain medication that eventually took hold and avoid a trip to the ER. Since I figure surgery is better than gallstone attacks and a natural remedy is better than surgery, I resolve to nail this ailment with help from – would you believe – gallbladderattack.com. Check it out at http://www.gallbladderattack.com/index.shtml. I'm on the beet recipe for now and will do the major gallbladder-liver flush. It's time to fix it.
I took Susan for a manicure and pedicure after radiation therapy. She got the spa version with soaking her feet in the jacuzzi thing whilst reposing in the massage-chair. Give me a USC football game and I'm right next to her. The treatment made her nails look lovely and made her feel great, worth every one of the thirty dollars, tip included.

Tue 09/25/07
Susan had her first speech therapy session today following last week's evaluation, and will have a low vision evaluation on Thursday. These are essential components for her to adapt and recuperate.
We're more focused than ever on the value of nutrition as an essential element in beating cancer. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy can reduce tumor burden and rid the body of masses of cancer cells. But how did the body allow the cancer to advance initially? We know the cancer patient is a host organism trying to fend off an invading illness, not to mention the effect of the therapies. We know God built into our bodies the ability to heal themselves using the foods He provided on the earth. And we know the food industry practices of the past 100 years have delivered to us tasty and convenient foods that lack their original nutritional power. Though it's hard to un-learn the eating habits of 4 1/2 decades, it's worth it to give Susan every chance for her body to kill cancer rather than vice versa.

Susan and I are more convinced than ever that God is doing a great work in the midst of our circumstances. We are witnessing His faithfulness and grace to us in profound ways, not the least of which are the generous gifts we have received. We've expressed our gratitude as best we can to those who've given to us help and meals and money, and we've received so much anonymously – our words fail, and they've lost their object anyway, so we can only extend our gratitude to God for moving people to help in such amazing ways. Thank you.
There's more about what He's doing in the mystery of His will as people are sharing the encouragement they receive from our experiences. No doubt you'd list malignant brain cancer as one of the worst things that could happen to you – I know four months ago, Susan and I would have. But now that it's upon us, it's strange to say that it's okay. God has given us the certainty of our belonging with Him at all times and the knowledge of His presence with us in all things, so it's okay. The song is true: you can have all this world – give me Jesus. Paul is right: to live is Christ and to die is gain, so what does cancer matter, really? God has made us strong in this, so we thank God. And as God is helping others be strengthened in their circumstances through us – well, that's an amazing privilege. We thank Him even more.
I rejoiced to read what my dear friend and brother John Halma wrote the other day: "Your journey has inspired many to pray at our church in Norwalk, Iowa....be assured through your suffering that the kingdom is advancing and that lives are being changed in places and ways you would not dream of. God knows." That is truly humbling. Thanks be to God.