Maybe some pain relief!

Today at CBF's community gathering, Jack gave us an update on the pain management specialist he saw yesterday.

In typical Jack fashion, he shared the optimistic and good parts. The doctor has suggested an operation that will deaden the nerves around Jack's pancreas, and that will help lessen the pain. In the last few days, the pain's been pretty unbearable, even causing him to not be able to get sleep.

Last night, he said, the doctor had tripled his pain medication, and that allowed him the first full night's rest in a while. "If you've ever not been able to sleep, and then are given the blessing of rest, you know what a real gift that is," Jack reported.

(I will leave out the part where he said that doubling the pain medication hadn't helped, and tripling it helped a bit, though he may be in a cloud or fog and forgive him for walking around "high as a kite." I will leave that part out because it's unseemly for such a dignified upright individual to be promoting an altered state of consciousness!)

And though he said he might be in a fog, he did not appear to be at all. Still making us laugh, he did share that today special people were coming to take him to lunch. Friends from other faith groups that he was close with in Florida were flying up today to spend time with him, eat some, tell stories, and laugh alot. He expressed how touched he felt that they would take the time and effort to fly up just for this.

Expect another update from Jack himself in the next few days... or read his latest (below) from last week. Or add your own comments, observations, or wishes here.

An update from Jack

From 20 February – an update from Jack himself! He felt a little queasy afterwards, but we’re glad he felt well enough to give us insight into what’s going on with him:

I began a regimen of chemotherapy this past Wednesday. It consists of two parts: Gemcitabine and Tarceva. The Gemcitabine is injected weekly through a port that has been inserted. The Tarceva is taken daily in oral form.

Neither is curative, but it is hoped that both will have a palliative effect in shrinking the tumor so that I can have some relief from the increasing pain, as well as giving me a few months of healthy life.

A dear friend from Singapore, Dr. Lilian Lim, president of the Asian Baptist Graduate Theological Seminary, came over to spend a week with us and to bring us the love and encouragement from our Asia friends.

Next week, a Rabbi and a Catholic Priest from Florida are coming up for the day. These were dear friends and colleagues during our years in Jacksonville.

The second week in March, our church in Singapore is sending their pastor and his family to Atlanta to pay a pastoral call. Andrew was student of mine at the seminary in Singapore prior to becoming our pastor.

As you can imagine, I am overwhelmed with the expressions of love from these and others around the world. I’m attaching a picture of our family at Stephanie’s and Henry’s wedding. It was a glorious event.