Words from Jack

There continue to be signs that I am slipping in my battle with cancer. It is beginning to rob me of more and more of the normalcies and joys of life. But I refuse to let it take away the gifts that God has graciously bestowed on me. So, I look for joy in each new day, and I count it joy when I receive correspondence from you, reminding me of the value of friendship.


Our daughter and son-in-law have unexpectedly arrived for the weekend, and already I am filled with encouragement! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers. They’re the only thing sustaining me at the stage.


Here’s my latest installment of Along the Journey. It deals with God’s faithfulness, which will be a theme at my memorial service. “Great is Thy Faithfulness” will be sung at the service. But, as we await that, let me share a few words about God’s faithfulness.

-Jack

Talked to Jack

Jack gave me a call a little while ago, so I thought you'd like to hear the good word that I got to hear. (Hey, I should record him and do podcasts or audio downloads so you could hear how good he sounds! . . . hmmm. . . .!)

At any rate, he sounded very chipper! He's been being visited by a hospice nurse who is always amazed and encouraged by his continued resilience. He would like to come into the office a bit more than he's been able to, but it's rather an effort especially in this heat. He's still very much working from their home office, so sending him a note or a comment here is sure to be seen.

Jack said Anita's been delightfully diverted lately; Charley has been moving into a new place, so it gives her the artistic space to plan and decorate and paint. That, and everything that work with CBF entails (long calls to associates in China, meetings and planning sessions in the building, etc.) are very much a part of their lives right now. Anita's happily joining back in with the choir this week when they start back up.

So, as summer blazes on, so do the Snells! Below are Jack's own words in relation to his health and status - and he will work on another Along the Journey later this week or next. I'll post it as soon as it's done!

The hospice nurse visited yesterday and said my vitals are good. She said I am doing much better than any of her other patients. There are signs that I am slipping—loss of appetite, incipient queasiness which is on the verge of nausea, eroding strength and stamina, continued loss of weight, etc, etc. But I’m taking each day as it comes, grateful for the gift of life and excited about whatever future God has prepared for me. All this continues to weight heavily on Anita and our children. But they are responding in a marvelous way. Please keep them in your prayers. - Jack -

New update - and "Along the Journey" on prayer

This past week has been found me slipping some. I’ve had more “out-of-it” days than “with-it” days. The pain continues, for the most part, under control. But I have been “on the verge” of nausea. Please pray that this doesn’t return!

I’m continuing to do my work from home, but it is becoming more difficult to stay focused. However, the Ritalin is helping.


I’m continuing to have guests who are dropping by our house. While it is always a joy to see these dear friends, I’m becoming less and less able to be engaged.

Thanks for your love and concern. I’m energized by your prayers and your blessings.



Read Jack's most updated Along the Journey on prayer.

Update and a new "Along the Journey"

Update in Jack's own words:

I’m continuing to lose ground slowly in my battle. I’ve had to cut back on most of my activities — no driving, the distance of my morning and nightly walks has been cut in half, and my strength continues to erode, slowly but surely. But the pain is still under control, for the most part.

I’ve told you of the struggle to stay awake on the heavy doses of pain medications. A couple of days ago the Hospice doctor and nurse put me on Ridlin as an experiment to see if it would make more alert. I think I have noticed a change, but it just may be in my head! But I am hopeful that it will give me more clarity in my thinking and allow me to participate more completely in life.


I wish I could adequately express my appreciation to all of you for your responses on the blog, your email, cards, and prayers. These are what keep me going. It is humanly impossibly to write to each one of you, but I want to know that I read each one—several times—and they bolster my spirit.

I have worked with Anita and the children on my memorial services. One will be at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church for those in the NE Florida area; and one in Atlanta for those in the Atlanta area (Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Central Baptist Church Newnan, and the CBF Resource Center). Stay tuned for further details!

Thanks again for your love and prayers. Both are appreciated.


Click here to go to the newest entry on Along the Journey: Dealing with Anger.