Let the Chemo Begin!

Wednesday we start the "R" of the R-CHOP chemo regimen. Rituxan can be pretty tough your first time, hence the 1 drug Wednesday. Thursday we get the rest, but only for this first cycle. Future cycles will mean all the chemicals in one day.

The head is shaved and the waiver or chemo risks acknowledgment has been signed. I'm aware that it may sound cheesy to some, but nonetheless, "May God be glorified through chemo!"

Let's have no cookie tossing! Romans 12:12!

Sing over Your Children by Matt Maher (with lyrics)

Zephaniah 3:17
7 The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

Celebrating with Joy

Congratulations to our son Casey, and Jayma who will exchange their wedding vows on Sunday! Our joy has doubled since Jayma came into our family and we are grateful to God for her! May God bless you both and may you find joy together in Christ regardless of your life circumstances. We love you!

As our families join together in support of Casey and Jayma I offer this Irish Marriage blessing:

May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortunes
and rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
from this day forward.

The Theology of Blessing

Laura Story's "Blessings" has really spoken to me in these days of cancer staging and prep for my upcoming chemo. Here we find the theology of suffering is embraced or at least acknowledged within God's sovereign purposes and favor that is not dependent upon human emotions and feelings! Drink in these lyrics and let God wash across your parched or tired soul. Romans 8:35-39

Staging NHL

Monday is "staging" day at Wake Forest Cancer Center. Seems like an odd term at first, but it really makes sense. The doctors have to perform several procedures to determine the stage of my cancer. So very early Monday morning I will head to WFUBMC-North Carolina Baptist Hospital and undergo the following:

PET Scan
Echo cardiogram
Port-o-cath placement
Bone Marrow Biopsy (both sides)

All of this helps the oncologist/hematologist identify the exact type of lymphoma, how far it has spread (lymphatic system, other organs, bone marrow, etc.) and the stage so they can personalize the treatment plan. This will help them determine the right chemo and the number of cycles I will have to receive.

So we would really appreciate any and all prayers for Marathon Monday. As they say backstage: "Break a leg!" For the non-thespians that's a good thing!

We continue to cling to Jesus through Scripture, songs, art, friends, etc. Here's a favorite from the late soul poet, Rich Mullins:

Well, sometimes my life
Just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small

CHORUS:
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace

And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart

CHORUS

Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something
I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees

And this Salvation Army band
Is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin

CHORUS

You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace

Now cancer doesn't seem so big does it!

Word Power

Look closely at the picture to your left. You will never see this green "Partner" apron at your local Starbucks. There's not another one like it in the world. Several of the managers, assistant's and partners at the Greenville area Starbucks' signed it with well wishes for my upcoming cancer treatment.

While I frequent one particular Starbucks, over the years I have enjoyed coffee and conversation at every store in our city based on my travel route, or schedule on a particular day. A big thank you to Chris, the DM who got this together for me! I wouldn't take anything for this apron but not because of its corporate logo. You see I cherish the prayers, well wishes and words of support and their accompanying signatures even more.

Words are powerful. They can injure, tear down, build up, encourage, help, heal or hurt. We use thousands of words in the course of a day and most of the time we forget a lot of what we say, or communicate to others. However, when you are on the receiving end of some complimentary, well-wishing, or encouraging words they tend to stick with you. Someone takes the time to touch your soul whether they realize it or not, we do. Since I entered my first Starbucks 20+ years ago in Chicago, I can never remember a time when I wasn't greeted with a smile, or a word of welcome! And trust me that's a lot of Starbucks from San Diego to Phoenix;Louisville; Cincinatti; Hilton Head; Jacksonville;Orlando; Indy; Gaffney; the Bahamas (for real!); London, Kentucky and many more. Oh sure I've come across some who've had a tough day, but somehow they manage to rise above it and offer some kind of greeting. Someone has set the tone for this intentional corporate culture and the church needs to follow.

Our words take on meaning to others, which is why I shudder when I think of the thousands of words I've carelessly spoken over the years. Words of judgment, criticism or cynicism that I regret. But positive words are something we never regret. We need to be more intentional about the words we use with others. Speaking joy-filled, empowering, or encouraging words to one another is something we need to cultivate and practice. Anyone can speak words of anger, destruction, and judgment. They require little thought and usually come at an impulse. However, we have to make a conscious effort to speak positively toward others. In other words (no pun intended) we have to think intentionally about speaking positively to others. Given the level of anger, frustration, depression and skepticism in our culture I think we are desperate for the words like the ones on my Starbucks apron!

Who do you need to encourage? Who can you lift up, lighten their load and heal with words of comfort? How many times a day do our words cut, belittle, or put others down? We never fully know what people are facing or dealing with when we go about our day. Some are carrying very heavy loads like divorce, aging parents, finances, a strained relationship, job conflict/stress, health challenges, or an angry neighbor. What if we made a conscious effort to offer strong, helpful words even when we are tempted to do otherwise? It just might change our world, or at least our corner. I am going to work harder at encouraging others and a local cancer center is a great place to start!

James reminded us the power of words in James 3:5-10 {emphasis added}:
5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Thank you to the Partners that staff Greenville's Starbucks! You put up with a challenging public as you provide the fuel for our addiction. A special thanks to Jenn and the Augusta Street store crew, you make me laugh and always lighten my load. And that is quite a gift.

Life On Hold Part 2!

We head to the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University Medical School on Tuesday to see the oncologist/hematologist I saw in 2009. The pathology has confirmed non-Hodgkins, Large B-cell Lymphoma. Praising God that we finally know what we are facing. Ready to get started on what is bound to be a long journey, but remember, God is a marathoner not a sprinter!