We spent Monday at M.D. Anderson, going through various tests – blood tests, x-rays, and CT scans. Tuesday we met with Dr. Crane of the Proton Division of the Department of Radiation Oncology. We spent nearly an hour with him and his associates. The bottom line is that I am not a candidate for proton therapy. Because the cancer has involved the superior mesenteric arteries, proton therapy is not an option. The heavy dosage of radiation cannot be given because of the damage it would do to the duodenum and the arteries.
So, once again, the door has been closed to what we felt was a promising option. Dr. Crane suggested that we consider traditional radiation in Atlanta. The radiologist whom we saw in Atlanta, back in February, did his training at M.D. Anderson and Dr. Crane speaks highly of him. We considered this option early on and decided against it because of the residual effects on surrounding tissue and organs. We will, once again, look at this option, but I’m not sure we’ll go there unless we are convinced the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Thanks you for you prayers. Even as we face the fact that there are few, if any, options left, we continue to hold on to our faith and to the promise of God’s love and care. Your prayers and assurances of love are daily reminders of those promises.
- Jack
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21 comments:
Jack,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Little Ches who is now 3 prays for you nightly.
Ches Smith
Jack & Anita:
Just to let you know my prayers have been with you all the way and will continue. Even though the options seem to be limited, as long as there is a today, I continue to hope and pray.
Joe McDade
Jack, I am so sorry Houston didn't prove more helpful. I share your disappointment.
Doubt that you will be surprised when you learn that I spent my prayer vigil time at the piano playing the hymns of faith that tell of God's promises to us. I read those words as I talked to God about you and Anita and claimed those promises for both of you. It was comforting to me to hear those words. I hope it will be comforting for you to remember all of God's promises to His children. I recall feeling so alone at times during Wayne's illness. I also recall the strength that God gave me when I felt I couldn't go on. I will continue to pray for God's strength for you, Anita, Charley and Stephanie. I love all of you so much.
Miss Dixie
where one door closes -another opens-May God be with you as you meet each day
The wisdom expressed in your words is something to behold. In the midst of dire circumstances you are yet lifting the name of Christ and laying claim to the promises of a brighter future through Him.
I want to thank you for strengthening my faith, weak as I am.
I take comfort in knowing we belong to Him and He orders our steps. If you can find a way to praise Him when all around you the world is caving in, and medical options are few, you have found something I want to find as well.
I want to know the peace that passeth all understanding. Through your example and that of your loving companion, Anita, I have caught a glimpse of this wonderful peace. Thank you so much.
The expressions of those who love you are many and I hope there is yet a miracle which awaits. Words are inadequate at this point so I continue to lift your name before Him and ask for His mercy.
david yeaman
Jack and Anita,
We read of the news from Houston and are disappointed. As you both know, we are praying and hoping that something will be found that will enable you to have some miraculous treatment which will reverse the advance of the tumor. We are not giving up and will continue to pray. Monday we got back to Berlin from a trip to Poland. There we were surprised and thrilled to see Cracow and Wroclaw (former Breslau)gleaming in beauty and freshness. It was a joy to see the long-lost-beauty restored after all the years of war and destruction and communist neglect. That experience made me think of you and your situation. I am hoping for a brighter day for you. We love and cherish your friendship.
Jim & Becky in Berlin
Jack,
Dianne and I are obviously disappointed at the results from Houston, but we remain with you and Anita in our thoughts and prayers. Your faith through all of this has indeed strengthened all of us. May God continue to bless you both and your families. We love you.
Doug Aiken
Jack-
We, too are disappointed - but we continue to hope with you. We love you dearly, freind~
-Amy and John
Birmingham, AL
Dear Jack and Anita,
I wanted Texas to be better for you. And we were praying that the proton therapy would work. Our hearts hurt with yours that it won't.
But I agree with someone who said that as long as there is a today, there is hope. Miracles are already happening as those of us around the world are drawn closer in our love for you, and as we grow in our faith as we witness yours. So I'll keep praying for more miracles.
Kirk and Suzi Person spoke at Broadway last week and were wonderful, of course. They had so enjoyed their recent conversation with you. Broadway continues to pray for you, too.
We love you both so much.
Harriet and Paul
Dear Jack and Anita--
With all this week's conversation of "yet another door closing," seeing your great spirit as you move on and knock on other other doors with great Hope, my own mind has been drawn to someone else knocking on doors:
"The Amen, the true and and faithful witness, the source of God's creation, says this:... 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.'" (Rev 3:14, 20)
In all of your zeal to let the best doctors take their best shot, what comes out as a constant in your wonderful witness -- true and faitfhul witness in its own right -- is that you are so ever attentive the One Who is Knocking. And in that you make each of us a little bit more attentive ourselves.
Jack I want to let you know that this week you've been an inspiration and a comfort to a friend of mine who was last week diagnosed with brain cancer.
Sunday night, in anticipation of her surgery on Wednesday, I sent her a copy of your Easter meditation from 2006, where you so eloquently state that although as humans our futures are uncertain, we can be certain that Jesus goes before us, as he did to Galilee.
My friend Nancy told me that after reading your words, she was completely at peace going into the O.R., knowing that Jesus was already there waiting for her.
THANK YOU, Jack!
ps- Her surgery went well and she's recovering rapidly.
Continuing to pray-
Stretch Ledford
Closed doors are so hard when you want them to be open. We continue to pray for you each day hoping for God's best for you. Sometimes there just are no words to write which seem of any value so we simply add our prayers to those of many others--prayers for you, for Anita, for Charley, and for Stephanie and Henry. Hugs and presence seem more appropriate but the geographical distance between us precludes it. We hope that our hearts can bridge the gap when our words cannot. We love you guys and commit to continuing to pray for all of you daily. Love, Cindy Ring Ruble
Dear Jack & Anita,
Wayne, Darrell and Stephanie and I, have you both in our thoughts and prayers. You both have always meant so much to us, and I know that God will keep you both in the palm of his hands and his love will see you both thru whatever road is taken. We love you both and miss you very much!
Elaine
Dr. Snell,
Please know we love you and pray for you everyday. You are very special to us.
Love,
Julie (Seale) Brown and Family
Dear Jack,
You probably do not remember me but I do you...and appreciate all that you have done for "the Kingdom". I'm presently Pastor of the FBC in East Point and former missionary to Israel.
Carolyn and I want to assure you of our love, prayers and concern.
(John and Revonda Deal told us of your illness)..."to live is CHRIST and to die is GAIN".
Charles and Carolyn Worthy
Jack & Anita,
We continue to nag The Father on your behalf.
Dr. Jack & Anita,
We are all continuing to pray. We know that God is listening!!
Love,
Sheryl & the Prayer Group
We love you......and pray for you. In fact, Maile requests that we pray for you everytime we sit down to a meal. Peace, comfort and strength from our dear Brother, Jesus,
Katie and Matt
Jack and Anita:
Karr La and I have figured out a thousand ways not to get a message correctly sent to your blogsite. (I just lost another one I typed to you.) Now that I've figured it out, I wish there were a thousand ways to let you know how much we love you not only as friend and colleague but as family to us.
While we are trusting you in God's hands, we all wish there were some way to take you in ours and "work this thing out." Fortuntely, you (and we) are both among the world's fortunate that know we can confidently repeat God's Words back to Him that "we are not among those that have no hope."
Tonight at prayer meeting, our pastor specifically asked for a report on you to be given to our congregation. It reminded me again of how many people have been touched by your life. You and Anita are much loved, dear friend.
Dean and Karr La
Jack and Anita,
We continue to pray for you both as you face these disappointments.
We pray that your faith will remain steadfast and that you constantly feel God's presence and the peace only He can provide. We keep you in thoughts and prayers.
With love,
Gail and Jim
Our prayers continue to be with you. We love you.
Lori, Ron and Cheryl
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