It’s been an interesting summer, to say the least.  Such a whirlwind!  

At the end of May, I had a checkup with my oncologist that wasn’t what I was expecting.  Since my treatment in 2015, everything had been coming up roses.  All tests were clean, no issues, no worries.  But that changed in May.  A blood test came back with an elevated tumor marker. 

What came next was a series of tests.  A CT scan with contrast showed no tumors, clumps, groupings or other signs of cancer.  With that knowledge in mind, I took a planned trip to Argentina with my missionary brother-in-law.  We had a great trip!  I learned so much about the mission field of Argentina and the work being done.  I taught in a Bible College, preached in three different churches, and was able to talk and counsel with several young preachers.  It was a blessing.  We got back home and next it was off to Junior Camp for a week.  What a week it was.  Our junior age young people had a great week at camp.  The Lord really spoke to our young people and to me as well.  Camp isn’t just for children, you know.

We spent the next week trying to get ourselves back in order.  I had another blood test and the tumor marker came back still elevated.  After talking with my wonderful doctor, praying quite a bit, and listing the pros and cons with Laura, we decided on a regimen of chemo to be proactive.  I have been diagnosed with a chemical recurrence.  This basically means that though the cancer has not physically returned (i.e. a tumor), it is in my blood stream looking for a place to set up camp.  The prayer is that the chemo will kill the cancer before it gets a chance to do so.  My goal is to kill it before it gets strong.   

But before chemo, another week at camp, this time with the Teens.  My soul needed this week.  God moved in a mighty way throughout the entire camp.  We saw teenagers get their hearts right with the Lord; we saw teenagers give their hearts to Jesus.  There were many decisions made that week.  The Holy Spirit comforted my soul in a way that I cannot describe.  I’ve often said that in Christianity, there are things that cannot be explained, but must be experienced to be understood.  This is one of those things.  The Bible calls it the peace that passes all understanding. 

We came back from camp and had a day and a half to prepare for a week in the hospital taking chemo.   Monday morning, Laura and I headed to the Medical Center of Bowling Green.  I have been asked what chemo is like.  It’s hard to explain, but I will try.  Day one, a PICC line was inserted in my right arm.  That’s basically a semi-permanent IV line.  The chemo nurses assigned to my care started me with premeds.  This is medicines to prepare my body for the chemotherapy drugs.   Then came the chemo.  After the chemo came bags of fluids to flush my kidneys.  

Every cancer has its own regimen of chemo drugs.  I could tell you the various drugs that were used, but it wouldn’t make a difference, so I’ll save you the techno-speak.  If I remember correctly, there were three or four different types used that week.  The first one took 24 hours.  I felt normal on Monday.  Tuesday came another round and I started getting tired by Tuesday evening.  Wednesday brought a third round and by about 8:00 that evening the chemo effects were in full swing.  My sister tells me it was like a switch was thrown.  I stopped talking, I stopped wanting to do anything.

I really cannot remember Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.  The nausea started.  The inability to eat or drink and keep it down.   The extreme fatigue.  That’s about all I can remember.  One thing I can remember is the flood of visits, calls, texts, messages, and cards.  Friends were reaching out to offer help and support.  I'll never forget that.    

Sometime late Saturday/early Sunday we were discharged.  I don’t remember leaving the hospital or the drive home.  I do remember being in my own bed.  The next three days were rough.  I vomited about 40 times in three days.  Couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t drink anything.  My doctor ordered me back to the hospital for care.  After a day or two of fluids, meds, and my wife and sister forcing me to eat and drink, I was on the mend. 

I’m home now.  Been here several days resting and recovering.  I make a terrible patient.  There’s so much I need to do and want to do, but just don’t have the energy or strength to do. 

We don’t know what’s next.  I have another blood test on Friday.  I’m praying my tumor marker will be at a 0.  I see the oncologist on Monday to get these results.  We’re trusting in the Lord for His Grace and Mercy. 

So yeah, it’s been an interesting summer, to say the least.  My last blog entry was about making lemonade out of lemons.  I love irony—it’s my favorite form of humor.  I’m trying to make some lemonade over here.  I promise.