Just Thoughts

I am Unique, I am Special…

I am sure many of you have heard The Veggie Tales slogan: “God made you special and He loves you very much!”

I have been told that I was “special” all my life. Well, once again I have proof. Let me catch you up to speed.

During our annual Heart2Heart preteen girls conference at the end of September, I found myself abnormally tired and was bruising very easily. Tricia and Grandma and friends at work lovingly encouraged me to go get a physical and get it checked out. In the middle of October I shared with my fellow Pastors a prayer request, sharing that I had become even more tired recently that it was affecting my day-to-day processes. I told them that I was going in for a complete physical and blood screening. On October 22nd I had my physical.

I was with a new doctor as a new patient and not feeling well. I was expecting to be giving a vitamin or iron supplement and told to take a day off and recoup. Nowhere on my mind was the thought of Cancer. My physical revealed that my spleen was about six times larger then it was supposed to be and my blood levels were in the critical range. I was immediately admitted to the hospital for testing and transfusions. Because of my world travels, I was also tested for many different possible infections. I had scans, exams, was poked/prodded and questioned by many well-trained medical personnel.

After three days, two units of whole blood and two units of platelets I was released from the hospital. The following week I had not one but two attempts to remove a significant bone sample (it seems that I have hard bones) and a bone marrow specimen during the biopsies. I had multiple blood draws and tests. Read my blog “A New Path” for more details.

I was scheduled for a lymph node biopsy, a lumbar puncture and port placement during a hospital stay on November 5, 6 and 7. Read my Blog titled “Here is an Update” for more info on this hospital stay. There was more testing and more exams.

Thursday, November 12^th I had my first Chemo treatment. More about this later.

Friday, November 13^th I had two follow up appointments. My levels were critical again and I was admitted for additional blood and platelets.

Tuesday, November 17th and I had another platelet transfusion.

In the past 28 days I have received five units of whole blood and seven units of platelets and have spent seven days in the hospital.

I pause here to say “Thank You” to all who have and do donate blood, platelets and plasma! You have truly saved my life and the lives of many others. Please donate if you can!

So in the past three and a half weeks the big question is “What do I have?” Which brings me back to the title of this blog- I am Unique, I am Special! We have received a diagnosis. The doctors tell us they are 90+% positive of my diagnosis. The doctors have been examining everything they have taken out of my body over these past days: blood, tissue, bone and so on. They have consulted with many specialists. One of my doctors tells me that he has consulted with more specialists over my case then any patient in his career. Yes, we believe we know what I have.

So, now you think. “Ok, Skipper what is it?” I wish it were so simple to say I have this or that. After prayerfully seeking wisdom from medical professionals and spiritual advisors we have decided to not share the technical name of my type of cancer. WHAT, you say?!

Let me explain. I am NOT normal. Here is what I can tell you- I have a rare form of lymphoma. If I was to share with you the name of this rare form of lymphoma many friends and loved ones would Google it and then go on to read multiple decades of information based on patients, none of which apply to me. I am not normal! There are not that many patients with this form of lymphoma. Most of the people diagnosed with this type of cancer are over the age of sixty-five and have additional ailments and had symptoms and declining health prior to their diagnosis. I do not meet any of those criteria. This is why my doctors have sought so many consultations with other doctors. I just don’t fit the norm. So what does all of this mean?

My doctors are monitoring me very closely. My levels are checked every two to three days. My doctors are being very aggressive in their attack. They are “optimistic” with my case. They are not treating me like “normal”. For example, I had to receive special consideration to receive my first chemo treatment, as my levels did not meet the baseline standards.

We have a plan. We know what we are fighting and we are at war daily!

There is no “normal” schedule or plan for my particular case. There is only day-to-day!

Here is what we know:

• I have a rare form of lymphoma.
•  I have had one round of chemo.
• They monitor me closely.

What’s Next:

• Pray for levels to stabilize.
• Undergo Mega-Chemo in an isolation room at the hospital, for three to seven days as soon as I can.
• Pray for an acceptable level of remission.
• Receive a bone marrow transplant.

When:

• Whenever God allows the above to take place.
• I am literally a day-by-day case.

So what now:

• Tricia and I have been advised of a clinic in Texas, which has done extensive research and treatment of my type of cancer. We will be in touch with them over the next few days to see if I meet any of their criteria as a patient.
• We continue to receive excellent care from our local physicians and move forward towards the mega chemo treatment.
• We wake up each day and seek God for wisdom and direction. We specifically ask how we can serve His kingdom that day. God has allowed us to pray with, share our faith with and tell many others about our path. This is a “new mission field” for us and we seek God’s guidance each day.

What about work:

Tricia and I have met with Pastor Derek. He has constantly been there for us. Checking in several times a day. Pastor Tim and Nick have also reached out and been there for my family and me. I cannot begin to say Thank you enough for their support. Pastor Derek has met with the personnel committee. Together we have come up with several action items that I can do from home. I will go into the office as I feel up to it. How I feel is currently different every day and every hour.

I have met with a band of brothers. True Knights, who serve God. These men have been brought up to speed on my case and have lovingly accepted the call to be my “strong arm”. They have accepted to be there for my family and me. They have agreed to help dispel any mis-information. They will hold me accountable in my walk with and service to the Lord. They will be my prayer support and my muscle when I cannot do what needs to be done. They along with Pastor Derek will be kept apprised of all updates. We are realistically taking it day by day. These Knights of the King are: Aaron McQuaid, Bob McMillian, Drew Mock and Kyle Petteway. If you have any concerns or questions about my current situation please feel free to contact myself, Pastor Derek or one of these men.

My Faith Family:

My Faith Family in High Springs has been amazing!! The notes of love and kindness have meant the world to us. The offers of food, cleaning supplies, and many acts of love have been an incredible blessing to us. Our faith family and friends from Orange Park have reached out and have shown their love and prayers as well. I have been informed by many of my brothers and sisters around the world that they are praying for me. There is not enough paper nor enough words to express my thanks to everyone!

Health and Care:

Tricia and I have to be VERY careful with our health. Grandma has moved over to the big house and she and Tricia take care of the kids. I have moved into Grandmas house. It has become my little “germ free zone”. Because of the desire to attack my case in a strong and dramatic way, due to my particular condition, my levels fluctuate daily. One day I am no longer immune deficient and the next three days I am.

Please understand that my hearts desire, Tricia’s desire is to be live a “normal” life right now! We desire to go to church and the grocery store. We just have to be so careful right now. We need me to stay healthy. We need Tricia to stay healthy. We have to avoid large crowds right now. How long? We just do not know. We need my levels to stabilize so I can move on to the next battle (mega-chemo) as soon as possible. Please understand! One of my doctors said that there are three main places that people get sick and catch something: Schools, places of employment and churches.

We have four kids in school who say hello to me from the doorway. They have to wear a mask, wash hands with sanitizer and literally spray their cloths down with Lysol before they can give me a quick hug. To some this may seem like over kill. To us it is a necessary step in order to do battle. This has become our “new normal” at our house.

My work place is a church and when I go to church I interact with hundreds of people. Right now, Tricia and I have to do what whatever we can, each day, to stay healthy so that we can go on to the next battle- mega chemo!

What can you do:

• Pray!
• Pray for my levels to stabilize so I can undergo mega-chemo. The desire is to do this before the end of the year.
• Pray I make it through the mega-chemo.
• Pray I stabilize following mega chemo.
• Pray I go into remission.
• Pray I can have a bone marrow transplant and live.

There will be days and times we need you! Days we will need help. We will let it be known. There will be times we cannot carry on in our own strength. Be there then. Be there when Tricia needs food or cleaning supplies and cannot go to the store. Be there when we need physical help with a project. Be there in prayer daily for each member of my family. There is no “normal” for us right now.

None of us know how many days we are given. None of us are promised anything. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ and have invited Him into your life then seek Him daily. Seek His calling and direction in your life each morning you wake up. Live with no regrets. Live today as if it may be your last. Love God, Love Others!

If you have no idea or you are skeptical of this “Jesus thing” I am speaking of, then I ask you only one thing: Why are you here? As you seek the answer to that question listen and see if God speaks to you. If you ever have any questions about my faith or who Jesus is then please contact me directly. I would love to share my Story with you!

We thank you and we love you and we will continue to provide updates through this blog and social media as we can. Day-by-day!

Blessings and Battle On!

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)