(Monday evening)
Our oncologist just called (5:45 p.m.). The surgeon has not yet called, but the oncologist wanted us to know what the report said. The report is not good. The tumor has not responded to the chemo. Rather than shrinking, it has grown (from 4.3 cm to 5.3 cm). There is slight necrosis in the center of the tumor, which might mean that the tumor is dying, but most likely it is because the tumor has reached the size where the blood vessels can no longer supply sufficient blood. There is no sign that the tumor has spread to the liver (which is the only surrounding organ the MRI scanned).
There was a slight chance that if the tumor has shrunk, I would be a candidate for resection, but the oncologist said that, in his opinion, that is not the case and surgery is not an option.
Our plans are to go to MD Anderson next Sunday for a Monday appointment with the radiologist. He will do tests to see if I am a candidate for proton therapy.
Continue your prayers. We are disappointed, but not discouraged.
Jack
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12 comments:
Dr. Jack,
I love you and will continue to pray. The tears came instantly when I saw the heading for today.
Hug each other for me.
Love & blessings,
Sheryl
Thinking of and praying for y'all often!
Love ya,
Rebecca Cooper
Yep, prayers WILL be continued, no worries on that score.
Hugs, Julie Mason
Jack,
Our thoughts and prayers will continue to follow you and Anita wherever you go. Your courage in this ordeal has been unbelievable and you have blessed us in ways you don't even realize. May God continue to guide every footstep you take, and every decision you make.
Tim Rucci
Hi Jack,
Don't be disappointed and yes, be not discouraged, keep the spirit up and flying - we are going to see you in Singapore again soon.
My friend who had a father in the same condition as yours shared with me that the spirit within you is the one that determines when to give up the body to the disease. He had a heartful of strength and yearning to serve in his calling.
When he was diagnosed with the same condition as yours, he was already 70. Doctors told him that he has no more than 3 months. Today at 83, he walks daily, did line dance and swims every alternate days.
His treatment was one called "deoxidization therapy" where he went on a strict diet of just Chinese mushrooms, dried-up vegetarian stuff and a very strict vegetarian diet - and absolutely no animal fats or oil for 12 full months. Doctors later declared him cured and said that the therapy kind of choked the tumor from any fatty acids and it died a natural death - wilted and flushed out from the body by the daily dose of just pure natural (spring not mineral) water. That did the work.
We all consume too much animal fats and that left lots of toxic waste in the body that built up into tumorous deposits. It depends of how fast these can be flushed out of the body. That should explain the deoxidization therapy.
Let me know if you cannot find the articles which I understand was published in the medical journal.
Write your post again and I'll share with you about another story of miracle cure - Traditional Chinese Medicine way.
Jack--We are still praying for you and Anita. With so many behind youo, I don't expect a reply.
We love you both and appreciate all you have done to keep the faith and share the Word. We pray God isn't through with you yet on this earth. If He should call you home, we will accept it with sorrow. Hang in there. I wish we were in Atlanta to see you face to face and share our love.
Gene & Lonya Scarborough
Yesterday, I came across Jack's 2006 Easter message. His current journey made the writing all the more prescient. Here is a slightly edited version:
"This past year has been one of changes and uncertainty for Anita and me. With little advanced notice, we were asked to move from Singapore to Atlanta for me to assume the role of Interim Global Missions Coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
We continue to be unsure of where we will be and what our roles will be over the next year, so there continues to be some uncertainty. In light of these realities, and their attendant emotions, as I read Mark’s account of Easter, I was struck with the message of the angel: “Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter: Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died!” (Luke 16:7, New Living Translation). And that word has been Gospel (good news) for me this Easter.
The angel at the empty tomb explained that the risen Christ had gone ahead of the disciples and would meet them in Galilee. In other words, Jesus who died in the past has been raised in the present and He goes ahead of the disciples to Galilee where He will meet them in the future. Past, present and future find their focus in Jesus.
I need that message this year: Jesus still goes ahead of us to prepare the way and to meet us in whatever future, whatever “Galilee”, we find ourselves. And what’s more, God accepts one and all who look to God with hope and anticipation. God accepts any of us who in our own lives are trying to do justice, love others, and do what is right and good. And even if we are somewhat lacking, this Jesus who was raised from the dead is still willing to forgive us our sins, give us new life, and employ our gifts in ministering to Him and His neglected children.
That, my friends, is Good News. All of us are in the process of being made. Nothing in our life is the final word, not even death itself in whatever forms it presents itself to us. The risen Jesus heals our past, informs our present, and waits to transform our future.
Easter is all about new life. Jesus has defeated the forces of death and in His great love He calls each of us by name and invites us to new life here and now and forever. Be attentive to His call to you on this Easter Day. If you need more proof about the resurrection, the only way you will find it is to take a risk and start looking for signs of the resurrection in your own life.
Jesus will come to you, to your future, and say to you the same thing He has said to so many down through the ages, “Follow me.” He will set you at tasks which will demand your best efforts, and in the challenges, the conflicts, and sometimes the suffering you endure, with Him as your companion you will discover not only the truth of who Jesus is but that by His grace and love, you are eternally His. Christ is risen and He calls you and me to journey with Him into ministry and abundant living today and forever. Let’s head out to Galilee. He awaits us there. That's the message of Easter. AMEN!"
May you continue to find Christ in Galilee, Jack-
Stretch Ledford
Jack & Anita,
Thanks for getting the word out from the oncologist regarding your latest MRI. My daily thoughts and prayers accompany you both on your trip to Houston Monday. BTW, Brice Graves may or may not have made contact with you. I pointed him to this blog, which he read over. He is another person prayerfully pulling for you, in case you were not so informed.
Love to you,
Joel
Dear Jack and Anita,
You are all in my prayers every day. Thank you for keeping us so up to date. I haven't called because I figure it's exhausting to talk on the phone. I will pray especially for your trip to Texas, and for the right doctors and a good report!It's no surprise that you are still ministering to so many, even in this time, because that's who you are! On another note, Adam was ordained to the ministry this Sunday! You had a big part in shaping the person he has become. Thank you for what you all mean to us!
Love,
Miss Trixie (Brenda S)
Still praying! Without ceasing! Love to you and Anita. Julie and Bill Babcock
Jack (& Anita). Carol and I continue with our prayers for you, too. In hope and grace, Tom
Jack, it's hard to know what to post... should I say something about how much of an influence you were on my personal and spiritual development (not that you would really want credit for that all the time!)? Or maybe menion a funny story about some HAB on Broadway antics which will always be with me (mostly because of the trauma caused to me by having to wear a gold bikini top in our special version of 'Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat')? Or perhaps just say that you and your family are on my mind a lot? I don't really know... but the many wonderful memories I have of you and your family and the sheer number of times your face, voice (when I was 4, I was confused, or not, and thought your voice and God's were the same! Seriously!) and even subtle mannerisms (the way you kind of rock on your feet when you speak) come to mind made me feel that I had to say something. I wish I could do more, but I suppose my thoughts and prayers will have to be enough. Love you tons!
Karla (Kronquist) Repper
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