Well, Mom and Dad were at Health Sciences today getting the results of Dad's CT scan. The news wasn't great, but it was what we have all been expecting to hear. The swelling has been reduced, but the tumor is still there and hasn't shrunk at all. There is a chance it has grown further down into Dad's brain, but they can't tell that at all from the CT scan, so we have no way of knowing for sure. The palliative care doctor, Dr. Garcia, will be making a trip to the house this next Friday (the 13th) to re-evaluate Dad's condition and possibly mix up the concoction of medications that Dad is on. Mom mentioned that they might put Dad back on the pill form of the steroids, instead of the liquid ports that he has now in order to give his arms and legs a bit of a break from that.
Since I haven't posted at all since the art show, I wanted to take a minute to mention that as well. It was a very good weekend - very busy - but it was so good to see so many people out supporting Dad and the family. Thursday night at the opening was PACKED! It was wall to wall with people! We heard around 400 in total - I'm sure we broke the fire code regulations for the building! But it was good. Dad even stood up and gave a short speech. He returned again on Sunday for the closing ceremony, and again said a few words. There was a constant stream of people passing through all weekend, and there were a lot of books and prints that sold, as well as a few pieces of artwork. We haven't heard final numbers of books or prints sold yet, but I know there was a lot! So thank you to everyone that came out. It was so great to see so many friends, family, and acquaintances. And a huge thank you to Steve Bell, Jamie Howison, and all the others that organized the event. It was something really special for Dad to look forward to, and we were all very grateful that he got to be there to see everyone's hard work come together.
And finally, a word about some rumors.....we've heard a few things through the grapevine since Dad got sick that we've shaken our heads over and wondered how people heard such things. The latest tidbit of information that floated our way was that Dad's tumor is gone. While we would love for that to happen, and we are still praying for that miracle, it is not the case. So, I am officially setting the record straight, and I ask that before you repeat anything that you hear about Dad, please check the blog first to confirm if it is true. We created this blog in order to keep people informed - so if you hear something that hasn't been posted on here, please check with an immediate family member before spreading the news around. We appreciate your co-operation, and we are doing our best to keep you up to date on Dad's condition.
On behalf of all of us,
Dana
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3 comments:
Thanks for the update Dana. What a blessing that your Dad was able to attend the art show. I continue to pray for all of you as you continue this gravel road journey. May God continue to give you what you stand in need of. I pray for strength for the entire family. I am thankful that the swelling has gone down and that you may have some wonderful days with your dad.
Treasure each day.
Blessings
Diane
Isaiah 57: 18, 19: "I have seen his ways, and I will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him." We are so thankful that you have had these wonderful good days with your dad, days that were maybe never even imagined. A dinner, attendance at the art exhibition, meaningful conversations, small blessings. And even as we give praise for these incredible gifts from our Lord, we continue to petition God for more- for total healing for Gerald. Continue to ask... because we have been coming to God with this request already, repeatedly. Are we to ask God once and then leave it to Him entirely? Are we a bother if we come again and again with the same request? Of course God is all powerful, He can do anything without us. Yet in the Bible we are instructed to pray. He specifically says that He needs us to pray. An all powerful God tells us to pray, to open the channels of heaven so He can pour out His grace upon us. We have free will that he has enstated on the earth, free will to come to Him or to ignore Him, so when we willingly come to Him and ask Him to move and to heal then the devil's hold is weakened and released and God's will is done. We know that God tells us that sickness, destruction and suffering come to us from the devil so when we pray against sickness we KNOW that we are praying according to God's will. And when we pray according to God's will we can change the world. In fact, there are clear instructions in the Bible on how we are to pray. Maybe you've heard it said to come to God once with a request and to ask twice shows doubt and faithlessness. Read Isaiah where we are taught about intercessors that were set up to pray unrelentlessly, all night and day, to call to God and give Him no rest until their prayers brought about results. God Himself instructs us to give Him no rest, to be like the widow who pursued the uncaring town judge for justice daily until he finally granted her request out of exasperation. God is not an uncaring judge, He is a loving father who wants to grant our requests. God encourages our petitions, gives us permission to call and call out to Him- we are to pray unceasingly with bold prayers that are strong and directed. Think of the men and women of the Bible who prayed strong, bold, demanding prayers and who received answers. These believers "wrestled" with God (think of Job)and yet God says that Job did no wrong towards Him. Where do we find a story where someone came to God timidly saying, "well if you have time...if it's no bother..." No! God says we have everything we need to live by in the bible and so we can believe that these examples of biblical prayer warriors are examples that He wants us to follow- remember their prayers WERE answered but not always right away. God knows when to answer our prayers and how. He know when we need correction and further learning. Until we get His answer we keep asking Him. Sometimes God wants to teach us something or challenge us and so our prayers are not answered right away as in many examples throughout the Bible. Maybe we are being challenged to come together as a christian community, a
church(es), mend our rifts, shake off our inhibitions or stagnancy, and as one plead for healing for Gerald. To come alive as a living, breathing, believing community...to come to really know God and His power, and to know who we are in God. That is not to say that God made Gerald sick to bring the community together but He clearly promises that from all that is bad from the devil He will bring about good. Can we reach out to Jesus and "touch his cloak" together and ask that His healing, moving spirit be released in our community, in our churches in our families? Can this just be the START of our full growth in Christ. Let us pray not once but until... let us not give up when we hear of a tumor not yet shrinking but let this spur us to stronger, louder prayer with the faith that God can and will heal, that He is there for us in all situations whenver we call to Him. Amen.
I am so glad for the small miracles that fill our lives. Your Dad's presence at the show was certainly one of these miracles, and a moment to be cherished. We are all praying for you as you travel this road, and wish for God's grace to allow many more small miracles to light your way. Take care,
Andrea, Brian & family
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