SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

I am sure that as time goes by, and Gary continues to have good reports, I will relax about whether or not his cancer is back. For now, everything is still so fresh and I tend to look at every ache and pain he has, as something more than just the usual ache and pain. This week, we had a little scare.

Gary's right eye bothers him all the time. It tears up and at times, is painful. Wednesday, Gary went to see our eye doctor because he felt like he was not seeing well. We were shocked to find out that Gary has not been seeing from his right eye at all. His left must have been compensating for it. Everything on the eye chart was blurry for him, even after lenses were applied. That was disconcerting to say the least. Upon some further testing, Dr. Reyes told Gary that he saw something with his optic nerve and would like him to do some more test.

So, today we traveled to a different hospital for Dr. Reyes to conduct those test. I never did get all the names of the test he was doing. After he reviewed the results, Dr. Reyes brought us into the room and with a very relieved smile explained that there was indeed a slight swelling of the optic nerve in the right eye, but it was still in the normal range. As a swelling could have indicated Gary's brain tumor had returned, this was a big relief! The doctor said Gary will see him in 2 weeks after using a different kind of eye drops to see if the blurriness was caused by the drops Gary was using.

Dr. Reyes was relieved and rejoicing with us. As we were leaving the room, Gary commented, "You were concerned yesterday...", at which Dr. Reyes asked us to go to a private room and proceeded to tell us that part of his demeanor yesterday, was not all to do with Gary, but that he had just found out that he had stage 2, possibly 3 stomach cancer.

My heart just sank. After talking more about what his options are, we then spent time in prayer for him and his family. And now, I am asking you to pray for him as well. We have known Manolito Reyes for 10 years now and he is a fine man and faithful member of Sumulong Baptist Church, lead by our friend and fellow missionary, Lance Gotcher. Pray for him to know what and where he should receive treatment and for his doctors to have wisdom how best to treat him.

Before Gary went for the test today, he taught his class in our Novaliches campus. I went with him as we would be going from there to the hospital. As I sat listening to him teach, I was struck by the thought, "Why God, would you bring the cancer back now." In my opinion, Gary is such a wonderful teacher and loves being involved in training Filipinos to do ministry. After we received the good report today, my thought was, "Why God, would you give us a scare like this?" and then after hearing the news of Dr. Reyes, my immediate thought was, "Hmmmm, maybe all this was not about us."

Maybe it was about Gary choosing THIS week to see the doctor. The very DAY that Dr. Reyes had received devastating news. When I look back on Gary's journey with cancer, I KNOW God orchestrated events and people to come into our life when we needed it, so maybe, that's what all this was about.

I know you are continuing to pray for Gary and words can't describe my gratitude. I know you will pray for Manolito as well. I am sure he would say, "Maraming, Maraming Salamat po sa lahat!"

SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

SEPTEMBER 11 ... to most Americans, this will forever be remember as the day over 3000 people perished in a terrorist attack in 2001. To Gary and I, we have another memory connected with this date. September 11, 2008, we were in a hotel room in Rochester, MN., awaiting a phone call. The news came that Gary had a rare cancer of the nerves. Neurolymphomatosis.

After 3 years of being unwell and a year of his body rapidly deteriorating, we finally had a diagnosis. We were stunned! Through all the test and doctors leading up to us going to Mayo Clinic, he had been repeatedly told, he had no cancer cells in his body. I guess that was true to a certain extent, since it was in his nerves and not in a place most doctors would see.

When I think back to how Gary was on this day 2 years ago, I am amazed that not only is he alive and back in the Philippines doing what he loves to do, but how much his body has recovered from the damage the cancer had on his nerves.

Two years ago:

* Gary had lost the use of his left arm and hand. The muscles had atrophied and his arm was just skin and bones. His hand was in constant pain. He could not dress himself or do the simplest of task.

* His left eye would wander and cause him to see double. His eyelid would not stay open, so he had reached a point where it was hard to read and had to wear a patch so his eye would not be constantly straining to do a task it could not do.

* And, his right leg was giving him pain. Enough to wake him up 3-4 times a night. He started to limp when he walked.

Today:

*Gary has the use of his arm back and his hand has made significant improvements. Although still weak, he rarely needs help to dress or do things things.

* His left eye is normal.

* His right leg is normal.

* He still battles severe pain in his left hand and will probably do so for the rest of his life. He relies on heavy narcotics to bring the pain down from a level 10 (unbearable) to a level 3. It never goes away completely.

* The right side of his face is still numb from the damage the cancer did to it and his right eye still gives him pain, but all in all, he is so much better than he was even 6 months ago!

He is able to do most of what he wants to do, he just has to pace himself and rest when he needs to. He preaches every Sunday and teaches in our Bible college two days a week. Yesterday, he went golfing with us Dad. He had to ride in a cart instead of walk, but was able to finish the 18 holes and felt good afterward.

I mention all of this as a testament to the healing power of God and the answer to the faithful prayers that were lifted up for Gary daily. We never took it for granted and were and still are, so very grateful!