"In Sickness and In Health"

The real heroes of diseases like cancer are not those of us who suffer the disease as much as the caregivers who, like us, never planned, or intended to battle such a fierce foe. Caregiving for cancer and other diseases is like boxing in the dark. You can't really see it, but you are constantly jabbing, poking and striking back through countless acts of unconditional love.

When we stood before our family, friends and God nearly 29 years to exchange our wedding vows Teri and I were clueless about what the future would hold. We were young, in love and ready to take on the world. Everything was in front of us. Children would provide the first wake-up call that being married and raising a family is one of the toughest, but most rewarding challenges humans can undertake. Pastoral ministry wasn't even on our radar. She was interested in HR and I was passionate about a promising broadcast career. Soon enough our first house, careers, a mid-career change, more housing, seminary and another child would present another reality. A few minor health issues in those early years were dismissed by our tender age and the dream of many years together to follow.

We closed our eyes as we celebrated our parent's 25th anniversaries and before we knew it both of them were celebrating their 50th! During that time changing diapers gave way to birthday parties, sleep-over's, school dances, taking kids to practices, a couple of moves, rehearsals, graduations, and eventually college applications. As the circle of life moved forward a couple of serious health issues reminded both of us that we were no longer that invincible couple, like most in their 20's that cannot see beyond the immortality of youth.

In the late 60's and early 70's I remember watching my paternal grandfather bathe, dress and care for "Mama" as diabetes and high blood pressure stole her sight, kidney function and ultimately the breath of this life. BTW they both sing with the saints! On one particular visit to their home as a pre-teen I remember catching a glimpse of my grandfather's fatigue and utter exhaustion from caring for the bride of his childhood. I was too young to recognize it, but upon reflection I have a greater appreciation for that long battle into the night they both waged with faith, hope and courage.

Recently as I watched a couple with a few more gray hairs than us (okay so right now I don't have any hair) interact with one another as she received chemo at the Cancer Center, I couldn't help but reflect on the parade of loved ones I've had the privilege to see in the role of caregiver at that special place. One particular couple have only been married two years! He is too young to be fighting this disease and as I watch her care for him I can't help but think of how strong their marriage is gonna be before they even have children!

Caregivers aren't just couples. I've walked a short while with parents of young children battling terminal diseases and marvel at where they find the strength. A good friend and woman I admire a great deal in Florida put her career on hold to care for her mother as they battle breast cancer together! Her husband has been there every step of the way with his support. I think of my mother-in-law and her sister (a cancer survivor) taking care of their older sister as she battled cancer. Another friend in Kentucky moved her father back and reordered their entire life and business so they could attend to this godly man's physical needs upon the death of her mother. Caregivers come in all shapes, sizes, colors, ages, race, gender, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.

I've watched my Teri keep a stiff upper lip when doctors words weren't hopeful. I've admired the grace with which she extends to me when her plate is absolutely full. She has managed to keep our household running, work outside the home full-time and attend to the needs of our children and extended family without missing a beat. I've seen the determination in her eyes when chemo fatigue has sapped the last ounce of strength within me. Not to mention the depth of mercy and love when the "nasty" side effects of chemo come at the least expected time disrupting routines, schedules, and plans.

She is among the strongest women I know and that is a very, very short list. I've admired her resilience and quiet strength for a long time. She always sees the world or a situation through the eyes of hope and God's promise. Don't let the quiet personality fool you, she's a rock and a tower! But I also know she is tired of boxing shadows in the dark. She is exhausted and like all caregivers finds little time for herself to unplug, rest, renew and unwind. Every morning and every night I watch her disappear with her Bible, prayer journal and a devotion. Without fail it's how she begins and ends her day, every day! She refuels and renews as she leans into the One who holds her and as the old African American pastor used to say, "props her up on the leanin' side."

Lord, my bride has been so faithful in this promise: I, take you to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer, for poor, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

Sweetheart, you continue to teach me profound lessons of life through your attitude, actions and words. May God wash your soul with an abundance of grace for the countless acts of love on my behalf. May I be found as faithful! From an overwhelmed, humbled and grateful heart.

Love, Almont

God bless the Caregiver's everywhere!

Stand Up To Cancer

Today we're rejoicing over the results of my PET scan. In my oncologist's words it was "normal". We were humbled and blown away with gratitude to God for His wonderful gift of modern medicine and healing. I still have another round of chemo this week followed by a period of recovery before beginning radiation therapy. There's still a long road to travel with years of ongoing scans and labs to monitor the disease, but this is indeed fabulous news! Recurrence of my form of NHL is most critical during the first two years of remission. My doctors will be vigilant as they keep an eye on it. We will not live with that fear, but will forge ahead knowing that no matter what happens God's purposes and glory are far more important than anything I have and could face in the future.

My joy was tempered when I walked through the waiting room only to see the faces of my fellow patients and warriors battling many forms of this ugly disease! Every single day in the United States 1,500 people die from cancer! 1 every minute! This is too many, but this is way too many given the explosion of growth in medical, biological, and technological research and science in the last 50 years. It's time to Stand Up to Cancer! Watch the video and see how you can help cut the red tape and expedite the pursuit of a cure for various forms of cancer.

I thank God for Dr. Edenfield (Cancer Center's of the Carolina's) and Dr's Levitan and Assimos at Wake Forest University Medical School. My life is better for knowing them. May God grant them rest in their hectic schedules and much joy as they treat and heal so many hurting people! The fight is NOT OVER, but our joy has doubled. Romans 12:12

Toast To God's Glory!

Last chemo treatment was today! Lift your glass and toast the Healer and Great Physician! Now a 3-4 week break before radiation to recoup from the chemo and many of the side effects, but not all. I already had my toast of the java kind, a Grande, 1/2 Caff Americano! And who said "hump day" is a bad day? PGFWABF!

Slip of Paper Left in Cancer Center Waiting Room!

Randoms: PET Scan & Pastor Appreciation Blog

PET Day:

Tomorrow is my mid-treatment PET scan. PET stands for positron emission tomography. A PET allows doctors to see how the organs and tissues inside our bodies are working. The PET also helps doctors assess, or analyze how treatment, like chemo, is working.

A PET is a form of nuclear medicine. A nurse or tech injects you with a tracer (radioactive chemical) which travels through the body and is absorbed by the tissues and organs being examined. The PET gives my doctors a 3-dimensional picture and will help my oncologist determine the next step of my treatment plan. Regardless of my PET results one thing is constant and sure: God is glorious and worthy of our praise!

Dr. Michael Catt is pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. The name of the church may sound familiar because they produced the movies, "Facing the Giants," "Fireproof", "Flywheel", and "Courageous". As a PK and pastor I must admit that his latest blog on Pastor Appreciation is on target and humorous. Most interesting was his admission that the church lost 800 members during his first 10 years! So glad leadership were more focused on the big picture of what was happening in their church! Click the link below to catch his blog:

http://michaelcatt.com/2011/10/pastor-appreciation/

To Be Known, Touched and Loved

One of the deepest needs humans in pain, trouble, and struggle have is to be known (presence) and to be loved. Another need equally as strong is to be touched. It's hard to say which of these is the most difficult for some people to do toward others. It depends how you are wired as to which of these is most difficult. That said, I would rather be sincerely touched and affirmed by someone who struggles with it than I would by someone who is going through the motions and isn't the least bit sincere about it. You know, people who are more concerned about appearing to "do the right thing" than actually doing the right thing for the right reasons.

Jesus knew the value of touch, presence and love. He practiced it regularly:

• Mark 1:40-45 (the leper)
• Matthew 9:28 (the blind)
• Mark 7:33 (the deaf mute)
• Matthew 8:15 (Peter's mother-in-law)
• Matthew 17:6-8 (the disciples at the Transfiguration)

Who are you knowing, touching and loving? I believe it is impossible to be sincerely filled and rescued by Jesus Christ and then be unable, or unwilling to know, touch and love those Jesus knew, loved and touched. You will never know the difference it makes to the hurting. You can:

• Simply Sit with them
• Pray over them (and according to James 5 anoint and pray over them)
• Touch them (hug, pat on the hand or back)
• Send a card, email, text, or phone call but back it up with your presence (don't wait to see if they feel like it, there's some things you just do because it's the right thing to do!)
• Take a meal to them
• Eat with them
• Tell them you love them in words and deeds

I'm indebted to the many people (both those I know and those far away I've never met) who have reached out and touched me through prayer and deep abiding love. Next week one of the strongest couples of prayer I know will be visiting our family from several states away. I can't wait to be anointed and prayed over by this godly couple and my family in the spirit of James 5.

Touch someone today in Jesus name!

50/50 or Hope?

I'm not sure there's a "right" way to battle cancer. Everyone with the disease and their caregivers has to learn what works for them in managing, coping and fighting the disease. Our family has learned that we can't do this without faith, a positive attitude and humor. We're not ignoring the disease and we certainly aren't in denial, we've just learned what works for us. We are realistic and we know this is serious, but we aren't pulling a Chicken Little running around crying, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!"

This weekend we saw the movie, "50/50". The comedy is based on the true story about a pair of 20-something's who've known each other since high school and one of them is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Let me be clear. The movie is rated "R". The humor and language is at times very crude. If you're uptight about language don't go see it and don't think I'm making an endorsement for such language, or content. However, if you decide to go I'm asking you to dig beyond the language and go to the heart of the story. As the movie progresses a reality unfolds that I'm not sure you can fully appreciate unless you, or someone close to you has been engaged in the cancer fight.

I laughed and cried throughout the film because I have experienced many of the reactions and situations of the guy with cancer in the movie. From the "freeze frame" moment when you are told you have cancer by the doctor; to the outlandish things people who don't know what to say, or do, say to you; to the frustration of having your life consumed by a disease; to poignant moments that reveal the depth of the struggle to be positive and realistic despite the battle with side effects; and the tender moments when you realize that the love of family and friends is the most powerful earthly force in the cancer battle.

While I enjoyed the film there was one thing missing for me in terms of my personal fight with this disease. It was the absence of faith, or even more so, hope in God. The main character was able to pull through by sheer will, love of family, friends and humor. I'm not that strong! I wish I was, but if I'm going to be honest I have to admit that I've only made it this far because of my faith and relationship with Jesus Christ, and that's more a tribute to Him than me. I am deeply flawed and was BEFORE cancer. I would consider myself a fairly strong person, but I am too weak to battle this on my own. I need someone stronger to cling to. I need Jesus. I'm not picking apart the movie. I'm simply saying that I desperately need someone/something bigger than a good attitude, positive thinking, and sense of humor to face this disease. I need someone bigger than cancer itself to help me navigate the choppy emotional and physical waters of cancer. I need Jesus!

I guess 50/50 is decent odds without Christ, but we are ALL terminal. Life with Jesus not only extends the survival rate beyond death, but it provides hope in the middle of today's battle whether it's cancer, divorce, job loss, or something else. It's a hope rooted in unconditional love that extends beyond the grave:

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

Liv's Laugh and Love

A 9-year old brings purpose and peace to the life of a star college athlete. And he brings her joy. Watch Justin and Olivia's amazing story!