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!