After-Christmas tests again confirmed God’s blessings in our lives. Dan had a PET scan on January 2 and an MRI on January 4. Today at the oncologist’s office, the results were described as a “great report.” The PET scan showed no cancer, and the MRI had only lingering abnormalities (perhaps dead cancer cells), and those are even shrinking. The smaller spot from the previous MRI is now gone, and the larger spot is smaller. Dan told the nurse he has the Great Physician.
Dan’s next appointment is in three months. This is the first time Dan’s ever cautious doctor has not discussed additional tests or other possible treatments. Instead, when he left the room, he said, “Congratulations!”
It’s been a few years since we’ve sent a Christmas letter, but this year we felt compelled to tell of God’s blessings and give Him our praise. We sent the letter primarily to those we don’t often see, but perhaps those of you whom we see regularly would enjoy reviewing the journey and thanking God with us. We certainly want to thank you for the many prayers for Dan and for our family. Here’s our Christmas letter:
December 2012
Dear Family and Friends,
God has so richly blessed us this year—as He always does--but this year His blessings in our life have been evident to many. We have been “through the valley of the shadow of death.” In February Dan was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after having vomited over a liter of blood (I know this is not the usual Christmas card material) and rushed to the hospital by ambulance. The tumor originated at the GE junction, where the esophagus and stomach meet, and had spread to the liver and some lymph nodes. After a few days of trying to decide where to have treatment—that struggle is a story in itself--Dan opted to stay at home, where his support system is (how wonderful and supportive these people are).
Dan began chemo on March 6 and had the last of the 12-part series on August 8. Every other week this was the routine: On Tuesday Dan would go to Texas Oncology for one drug, leave with a pump administering another drug, and then return on Thursday to get another drug and have the pump removed. I compiled a list of all the scriptures people recommended and those on the many cards received and had 5 pages for us to read at the treatments. During that time Dan was nauseated only once. From the time he was in the hospital to the time he completed the treatments, he missed church only once, and it was the one Sunday when he had no responsibilities because we did not have the 8 A.M. service. He didn’t stay home intentionally but had taken a pill to help him sleep, and he slept much longer than he had expected, and I didn’t wake him. Because of the loss of blood and the chemo, Dan tired easily, but he still continued his fun activities of playing cards, shooting pool, fishing, and hunting feral hogs. As the treatments progressed, the fatigue intensified, and on August 11, our 40th anniversary, all he did was sit in the chair and walk to the bathroom, but oh how thankful we were to be able to mark that milestone!
At the end of treatments, Dan’s oncologist ordered a PET scan—no cancer, then an MRI—no cancer, and then an endoscopic ultrasound. When he came in to report after completing the EUS, the doctor said that he saw no evidence of cancer but that he had ordered a biopsy. When he left the room, the nurse said, “You got good news. It’s a good thing you caught the cancer early.” When I explained Dan’s stage 4, she said, “Miracles do happen.” The biopsy affirmed NO CANCER. MIRACLES DO HAPPEN.
This fall we enjoyed a wonderful 3-week trip to Virginia —a week in the Shenandoah Valley and a week in Williamsburg
(http://dandetails.blogspot.com/) of Dan’s experiences. Dan is scheduled for more tests in January, so, if you haven’t already, you’re welcome to sign up for Cari’s blog if you’d like to follow his progress.
We are so appreciative of the many who have faithfully prayed for us. Dan and I are awed and humbled by God’s blessings and are thankful for the opportunity to share with others that our God is a personal God who cares and intervenes in the details of our life. As loving as it has been, our experience pales in comparison to the love shown by God when he came to the earth in the form of Jesus Christ, who lived to teach us how to be God’s servants, who died for the forgiveness of our sins if we accept him as Savior and Lord, who rose from the dead to conquer death, and who is coming again.
May the love shown at Christmas be with you throughout the coming year.
Dan and Linda
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