Friday prayers called for!

This morning Jack's facing (a planned) surgery.

On one hand, it's a good thing.... the potential for alleviating pain. On the other, it's got to be a scary thing, anytime we're "under" at the hands of others. I'm praying for steady hands and successful work for Jack's surgeons, nurses, aides - everyone who gets to play a part in the blessed work of healing. And I'm praying for calm, peace, removal of worry for Jack and his family.... his wider family too, of course - us!

Jack's had a pretty up and down week, health wise. He had some good days, good enough to be in the office several times. But other days, he was queasy and weak, and wasn't able to accomplish as much as he had hoped. The chemo treatments as well as the heavy pain medication are much the cause of this, as well as leaving him in, as he says, a "fog" much of the time. The GOOD news, though, is that they are working a good bit at keeping the pain at bay. And he's able to sleep fairly well at night. "A gift!" he says!

Yesterday he had his third chemo infusion, and he's taking chemo orally each day. The blood counts are down and he's receiving injections to boost his red and white blood cells. And today, in a few hours (7:15 am), Jack will go in for a surgical procedure to deaden the pancreatic nerves.

If this surgery is successful, they'll repeat the procedure in a few weeks in an effort to kill the nerves. Let's all pray, as Jack and his family are, that this decreases the pain indeed, and will allow him to cut back on the stronger (fog-inducing) medicines for pain.

Jack has prayers for us, as well. You can read words to you by clicking here to read his thoughts Along the Journey.

Jack reports on the past week:

This past week has been filled with ups-and-downs. I’ve had some good days and was able to be in the office several times. However, I’ve had other days when I felt queasy and weak and was not able to accomplish as much as I had hoped. I attribute this to the chemo as well as the heavy pain medication I’m taking. The pain medication leaves me in a “fog” but it is keeping the pain at bay and I’m able to sleep fairly well at night. That’s a gift!

I’ve had a number of guests who have made the pilgrimage to Atlanta to bring their blessings and prayers. Two dear friends from Florida, a priest and a rabbi (sounds like the beginning of a good joke—a Baptist preacher, a priest, and a rabbi…!) came up for a day. But the fellowship was anything but a joke. We reminisced about our years together in interfaith and ecumenical work in Jacksonville, about world events, and about our personal faith.

Other friends from our past also came to Atlanta—dear friends from California/Florida whose love and support of me as a young minister opened doors and helped shape my ministry; and a dear college and seminary class-mate from Alabama whose ministry I value and whose pastoral presence was encouraging.

AT 5:30 a.m. yesterday morning, my former Singapore seminary student (who later became my pastor) flew in with his family from Singapore. Our church there made their trip possible and they have come to bring the blessings and prayers of the church. They are staying at the missionary house at Wieuca Road BC and we look forward to visiting with them. What a gesture of love and care from this wonderful church and from these dear friends.

I’m not a very good host these days and I’m only able to spend limited amounts of time with our guests, but their expression of friendship and love are deeply appreciated.

I had my third chemo infusion yesterday. In addition, I’m taking a daily dose of chemo orally. My blood counts are down so I’m receiving injections to boost my red and white blood cells. I went to the hospital at 7:15 this morning (Friday) for a surgical procedure to block the celiac nerves in my abdomen. If this works, the doctor will repeat the procedure in a few weeks in an effort to kill the nerves. We are praying that this will be effective, will decrease the pain, and allow me to cut back on the strong pain medication. We should know within eight to twenty-four hours if this us working.

I have been encouraged and strengthened by your messages of love and support. No one could be more fortunate than I to have so many dear friends. Please know that I love each one of you. - Jack