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
Friday, March 9, 2007
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Along the Journey
Periodically Jack will be sharing his own thoughts, Along the Journey.
Click here to read a word from Jack. . . .
Click here to read a word from Jack. . . .
Sharing photos
Yesterday I heard raucous laughter coming from the far end of the hall in the office. . . I figured as much, and it was - Jack and a group outside his office!
Even thought he'd had chemo a few hours before, he was obviously sharing that Jack spirit and was able to share it with the rest of us too (above). He will periodically post bits of that Jack spirit, as he shares with us his thoughts Along the Journey.
In the meantime, another friend has invited us all to share in enjoying his photos of the wedding. Here's the message from Tim Rucci on how to do that:
I just saw Jack's blog, and I thought I'd let you know that if you'd like, you can see more of the photos from Stephanie & Henry's wedding online. Phil Barnes and I photographed the wedding for the Snells, and I posted 144 photos from the event on my web page.
I'm more of a nature and sports photographer, but when asked by Jack and Anita to be the wedding photographer, although I felt inadequate to do a wedding, I just couldn't say no.
If you haven't already seen the photos, you can go to http://www.timrucciphotography.com and click on the thumbnail wedding photo of Stephanie and Henry on the bottom right, or you can go directly to the wedding gallery by clicking here: http://www.pbase.com/tim32225/stephanie_henry . You can feel free to share these links with anyone else as well.
It was at Jack's 'arm twisting' as he called it, that my wife and I finally joined HAB about a dozen or so years ago, after visiting every Sunday for almost a year. We both still sing in the HAB choir, and the entire Snell family will always be special to us.
I'm glad to see the blog, and I will check it regularly.
Thanks for your effort in kicking it off.
Sincerely,
Tim Rucci
Even thought he'd had chemo a few hours before, he was obviously sharing that Jack spirit and was able to share it with the rest of us too (above). He will periodically post bits of that Jack spirit, as he shares with us his thoughts Along the Journey.
In the meantime, another friend has invited us all to share in enjoying his photos of the wedding. Here's the message from Tim Rucci on how to do that:
I just saw Jack's blog, and I thought I'd let you know that if you'd like, you can see more of the photos from Stephanie & Henry's wedding online. Phil Barnes and I photographed the wedding for the Snells, and I posted 144 photos from the event on my web page.
I'm more of a nature and sports photographer, but when asked by Jack and Anita to be the wedding photographer, although I felt inadequate to do a wedding, I just couldn't say no.
If you haven't already seen the photos, you can go to http://www.timrucciphotography.com and click on the thumbnail wedding photo of Stephanie and Henry on the bottom right, or you can go directly to the wedding gallery by clicking here: http://www.pbase.com/tim32225/stephanie_henry . You can feel free to share these links with anyone else as well.
It was at Jack's 'arm twisting' as he called it, that my wife and I finally joined HAB about a dozen or so years ago, after visiting every Sunday for almost a year. We both still sing in the HAB choir, and the entire Snell family will always be special to us.
I'm glad to see the blog, and I will check it regularly.
Thanks for your effort in kicking it off.
Sincerely,
Tim Rucci
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sign up for automatic email alerts
You can receive automatic emails that let you know whenever new content is posted on Jack Snell's 411 site.
You sign up for this "alert" service at:http://www.blogarithm.com/
Under "URL to watch" put: http://jacksnell411.blogspot.com/
then enter your email address and follow the instructions you're given next.
(You'll be asked to enter the numbers you see, to make sure you're for real. And you'll have an email sent to that account, asking you to "activate" it - again, a security measure.)
Questions? You can write the person helping Jack manage this blog - Cindy - at cindyabell@gmail.com.
You sign up for this "alert" service at:http://www.blogarithm.com/
Under "URL to watch" put: http://jacksnell411.blogspot.com/
then enter your email address and follow the instructions you're given next.
(You'll be asked to enter the numbers you see, to make sure you're for real. And you'll have an email sent to that account, asking you to "activate" it - again, a security measure.)
Questions? You can write the person helping Jack manage this blog - Cindy - at cindyabell@gmail.com.
February Getaway
Jack and Anita were blessed with some time away together in February, just the two of them. Anita said they got lots of rest, were soothed by the blue ocean out their window, took a carriage ride around Nassau, and generally enjoyed getting away and just being together.
Wedding of the Century
"Wedding of the Century!"
That's what Jack affectionately called it, when he shared this attached photo from daughter Stephanie's wedding. She was able to move the ceremony up from June, so her dad could be there in full form. You can see from the picture, he was!
(Pictured left to right: Anita, Henry, Stephanie, Jack, and son Charley.)
Their church in Jacksonville scrambled to put together a beautiful ceremony and perfect reception - in just nine days! What a gift to Jack, Anita, Stephanie and Henry!
Do you have some recollections from the wedding YOU'D like to share? Post them to "comments" below this entry. Or email me at cindyabell@gmail.com - with comments or photos or anything you'd like to add. I'm sure Jack - and the rest of us - would enjoy them.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Wednesday's Community Gathering
We were glad to get an update from Jack himself in Community Gathering in the CBF resource center this morning.
He looked happy reporting the wonderful wedding of his daughter last week in Jacksonville, praising the beloved community there who rallied to put on a fantastic celebration in just nine days.
A friend there got him into the Mayo Clinic for four days of consultations. "That's how medicine should work," said Jack, explaining how the doctors work together and share information. Tests confirmed what had been thought.
The next course will be to do some chemotherapy in a week or so. The chemo is, as Jack called it, "pallative chemo" which may reduce the size of the tumors and potentially reduce the pain.
I think he said he'll start it in two weeks.
He also shared some incredible joys awaiting him and Anita. One is the visit from Singapore of a couple of former students of his, coming to share the love from all the people there whose lives he's touched. The pastors there pooled their resources to send these representatives - I think Jack's greatly looking forward to seeing them. Also due soon for a visit is Lillian Lim, a coworker who heads the seminaries in Asia.
Better, a generous friend is whisking Jack and Anita away this weekend for a long romantic getaway... in Atlantis, Bahamas! Just what they need, some sun and a stroll on a sandy beach, a sunset and a smooch. Jack had pointed out earlier that all of us here, the CBF community, are "family" to him... thus, we're thinking he should take his "family" with him to Atlantis!!
However gracious Jack is, he just gave the famous smile but didn't offer room on the airplane. :)
He looked happy reporting the wonderful wedding of his daughter last week in Jacksonville, praising the beloved community there who rallied to put on a fantastic celebration in just nine days.
A friend there got him into the Mayo Clinic for four days of consultations. "That's how medicine should work," said Jack, explaining how the doctors work together and share information. Tests confirmed what had been thought.
The next course will be to do some chemotherapy in a week or so. The chemo is, as Jack called it, "pallative chemo" which may reduce the size of the tumors and potentially reduce the pain.
I think he said he'll start it in two weeks.
He also shared some incredible joys awaiting him and Anita. One is the visit from Singapore of a couple of former students of his, coming to share the love from all the people there whose lives he's touched. The pastors there pooled their resources to send these representatives - I think Jack's greatly looking forward to seeing them. Also due soon for a visit is Lillian Lim, a coworker who heads the seminaries in Asia.
Better, a generous friend is whisking Jack and Anita away this weekend for a long romantic getaway... in Atlantis, Bahamas! Just what they need, some sun and a stroll on a sandy beach, a sunset and a smooch. Jack had pointed out earlier that all of us here, the CBF community, are "family" to him... thus, we're thinking he should take his "family" with him to Atlantis!!
However gracious Jack is, he just gave the famous smile but didn't offer room on the airplane. :)
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