Cancer Chronicles - Surgery Update

First, I am home. I was released from the hospital yesterday (Tuesday, May 19) about 11:30 AM.

Secondly, I want to say “THANK YOU” to all of you who have prayed for Beth and me during my surgery and hospitalization. Many of you have pledged to pray for my recovery. Thank you for that and PLEASE CONTINUE! It will take a while!

Now for a few details on my surgery and results. My surgeon stated that my first surgery (August 2014) did not heal well. This resulted in the necessary hernia repair and many adhesions that he needed to deal with in this surgery. The primary task of the surgery, however, was the removal of the tumorous section (about six inches) of my small intestine (or bowel). This section was “downstream” from my previous surgery. Dr. Johnson indicated it was nearly two feet along from my August 2014 surgery.

For you medical types, you’ll be glad to know that Dr. Johnson “ran the whole bowel” (his words), searching for additional tumors. For you non-medical types, don’t think about that too long.

The results were the removal of a tumor of about four centimeters. No other tumors were found. Dr. Johnson also removed the mesentery connected to the removed section. He also removed two lymph nodes. The pathology report revealed the tumor to be metastatic melanoma. This was expected. The first lymph node, which was in the connected mesentery also tested positive for melanoma. The second lymph node, further away, and presumably “next in line,” (I’ve learned this is a judgment call), tested negative. All in all, Dr. Johnson believes this is good news, and that for now, we “got it all.”

Dr. Johnson was also pretty well convinced that to some degree this tumor was also present when I had surgery last August, but went undetected. Lest that disturb you too much, I would remind you that the endoscopy that revealed the August 2014 tumors could not possibly have found a tumor nearly two feet further downstream in the small intestine. My understanding is an endoscopy cannot go that far. Also, Dr. Johnson was not working from a recent PET scan that “might” have revealed it. In fact, neither did a September 2014 PET scan, nor a December CT scan reveal it. He felt it was there though because he feels it highly unlikely that a new tumor grew to four centimeters in nine months.

Because of the location of this tumor, the surgical procedure itself was less complicated for Dr. Johnson. It still seems to have complicated our lives, though! However, I believe the “less complicated” is already helping with my recovery. I believe things are coming along a little more quickly this time around, but I am trying to go slowly (not really a difficult task). I am still very sore and I am convinced that I had a role in the last surgery “not healing well” by overdoing—probably everything.

Meanwhile, wonderful things are happening! We are looking forward to the arrival of our fourth grandchild, Ellie Catherine to Jonathan and Anna, within days or weeks! And perhaps another surprise to be announced later. Healing will continue and I’ll return to work in a few weeks. And then, of course, Sebring Camp Meeting comes again in July where I’ll be serving as President for the 25th consecutive year and leading the Bible Study.

Thanks so much to all of you for standing with us in prayer! It’s wonderful to know in the words of Carman, that “God’s Got An Army” surrounding us with love, prayers, concern, and support!

God’s Got An Army

God's got an army, not afraid to fight

Soldiers of the Cross and children of the light

Warriors of righteousness with healing in their hands

God's got an army marching through the land

Let me hear your war cry, hey

Let me hear your war cry, hey

We're a people with ears to hear and hearts to respond

To spiritual needs of the nation

We're a showcase of what He'll do when we are strong

In Jesus to a whole generation

The world won't be the same tomorrow

Because we're here today

The kingdom of hell is gonna feel sorrow

'Cause our war cry is worship and praise

God's got an army, not afraid to fight

Soldiers of the Cross and children of the light

Warriors of righteousness with healing in their hands

God's got an army marching through the land

Let me hear your war cry, hey

Come on now, let me hear a war cry, hey

The apostles and profits are speaking forth

The flames of revival, well, they are burning

Like old Joshua, well, went marchin' out to possess

And there's no way our minds will be turning

There's joy in the battle so we commence

To change this nation's course

The kingdom of God is suffering violence

And now violence taken by force

(Taken by force)

God's got an army, not afraid to fight

Soldiers of the Cross and children of the light

Warriors of righteousness with healing in their hands

God's got an army marching to the land

Let me hear your war cry, hey

Come on now, let me hear a war cry, hey

I'm a soldier

(In the army of the Lord)

I'm a soldier

(In the army of the Lord)

I'm a soldier

(In the army of the Lord)

I'm a soldier

(In the army of the Lord)

We're not afraid to stand and fight

(We're not afraid to stand and fight)

We cast out demons left and right

(We cast out demons left and right)

We're strong in battle, strong in prayer

(We're strong in battle, strong in prayer)

We tell Satan, get out of here

(We tell Satan, get out of here)

Sound off

(Jesus)

Sound off

(Is Lord)

Sound off

(Jesus is lord, Jesus is Lord)

Quick Update - Cancer Chronicles

Friends,

Those of you who prayed this way - Thank you!

My surgeon's office called about 20 minutes ago (12:25 PM) with a cancellation for this Wednesday! So, my surgery has been bumped up two weeks! This is very good news for our personal schedules and as for me, once I find out I'm going to have to do something like this, I'm ready to get it done.

Thanks again to all for your prayers!  We'll keep you updated as best we can.

Cancer Chronicles

Unfortunately, my friends, I must publish another edition of Cancer Chronicles.

My regularly scheduled CT Scan on April 17, revealed another tumor in my small intestine. My oncologist’s (Dr. William Sharfman) first reaction was to start me on a recently approved (December 2014) drug, Nivolumab. This would have been an intravenous injection every two weeks for eight to ten weeks. Nivolumab is NOT chemotherapy. Treatment was to begin Friday, April 24. Nivolumab side effects are usually minimal and I would have been able to continue working and all other activities.

However, when my oncologist presented my case to the oncology team at Johns Hopkins on Tuesday morning, April 21, the surgeons on the team were very concerned about the tumor starting to bleed or cause a blockage in the middle of treatment. They strongly recommended surgery instead.

I found out about this on Wednesday morning, April 22, just after I had put Beth on a plane to San Antonio to visit two of our grandchildren for two weeks. Dr. Sharfman became convinced that the surgeons were making a good point and suggested I contact my surgeon from last August.

My surgeon, Dr. Dennis Johnson, was able to see me on Thursday, April 30. He was not fully convinced by the CT Scan and ordered a PET Scan for Wednesday, May 6. These delays were good in that Beth returned from San Antonio on Tuesday, May 5, as scheduled. After the PET Scan this past Wednesday, I saw Dr. Johnson on Thursday afternoon. The PET did reveal a tumor “down line” a little bit from my tumors in August. Dr. Johnson believes that it is in a good spot and should be a little less complicated than my last surgery—from his point of view anyway. I also have a hernia from the last surgery that will be repaired. The REALLY GOOD NEWS, though, is that the full body PET Scan revealed no other cancer activity!

Surgery is now scheduled for no later than Wednesday, May 27. It could take place a little sooner if there is a cancellation. Neither physician has confirmed that this tumor is again metastasized melanoma, and they can’t until there is a biopsy, but that is most likely the case.

Surgery is not exactly a picnic, but I am glad to feel good about the removal of the tumor, rather than hopeful about treatment. Of course, this recurrence is disturbing, but as we all know, cancer does not play fairly. However, we have a plan, good doctors, friends and loved ones who pray, and a loving, healing, Heavenly Father. In all of these we have great confidence!

Meanwhile, there are many good things going on in our lives. At the head of the list right now is the soon-expected birth of our fourth grandchild (due June 3), Ellie Catherine, to Jonathan and Anna in Mississippi. Beth was making plans to go to Mississippi for her birth, but she is feeling now like I will need a babysitter. Seriously, please pray that Beth can somehow get to Mississippi as soon as possible for our new arrival.

This will continue to be my update site. I will link from Facebook and from any other emails I send. Thank you all for your continued faithfulness to pray for us. Your thoughts and kind words are a great encouragement to us and we cherish every one of them! Let me encourage you to continue to use your gifts of encouragement with others. It is amazing the impact of a few kind words or the simple click of the “Like” icon!

Because of you we sense that the God of Angel Armies – and his soldiers below - are by our sides!