Friday Feelings

Woke this morning feeling good,having spent yesterday at home with fragile guts. Showered, dressed and ready for work at which point my body went into rebellion. Sudden severe bouts of d and v -not a pleasant time. Thankfully feeling more normal by this afternoon but have continued to rest entertained by the efforts of Nadal and Verdasco .

Medical review

Our first monthly review today with the consultant. She sees my own feeling of improved health as an accurate sign that the chemo is being effective - ie in arresting the sub-division of existing cancer cells, and the non-replacement of those that are naturally dying after their brief energetic life-span. She has prescribed antibiotics for my lower arm which has swollen up over the last two days - the body reacting to the chemo-line higher up the arm. Have had a lazy/weary day today, following yesterday's more constructive day tackling the backlog in the home office. Both due back at work tomorrow. We do thank you for your prayers.

Can God.........?

Just wanted to thank those of you that prayed that days four and five would be a different experience this time round. I did not have your faith, but woke yesterday feeling remarkably healthy, and stayed vertical until about 4pm this afternoon when that Sunday afternoon feeling kicked in.

A great day

We thank God for a precious family day at Elaine's father's funeral. God's name was honoured, also the life and memory of one who followed him through 88 years. A story that was repeated at both the crematorium and later in the service of remembrance bears repeating here. Some 5 years ago, shortly after a new minister arrived at Fleet Baptist, Dad (for 30+ years a brethren elder, and also fairly new to Fleet Baptist) remarked on the practice of some to raise their hands in worship - "I'm glad to see it, but you won't be seeing me do it". To which the minister replied, "Well I think I will, most certainly in heaven, but maybe down here." Two years later, Dad was to be seen singing Amazing Grace, one hand raised, tears streaming down his face. The minister greeted him this time at the end, and Dad said - "it looks like you were right". Another friend, two years his junior would chide him from time to time - how come you only raise one hand? - the answer, he needed the other to support himself on the back of the seat in front. Guys, we are invited to spend eternity in the throne room of God - its never too late to get closer acquainted.

Seconds away, Round 2

This is a heavyweight contest, extending to 12 rounds of chemotherapy two weeks apart. Round 2 started today - about four hours in hospital - prep, blood test, glucose drip, two hours chemo drip (what a doctor friend describes as Toxin A), followed by hooking up to a bottle of toxin B which is placed in a bum bag so that I carry it with me over the following 48 hours. All administered via a PICC line, 1mm plastic tube inserted in the upper arm, and extending 46cm through the veins towards the heart. Put an interchangeable plug on the end, strap it on tight, and I'm permanently ready for action!! The use of the term 'therapy' a bit of a misnomer I fear - more like chemical warfare.

A happy day

I wrote this title, because today has genuinely been a happy day, spent together with Elaine and her sister, meeting with her late father's pastor. But you need to know that yesterday was a sad day for Elaine - she needs your prayers more than I at this present - she has borne this last month with great faith and peace, but the road is not smooth, the horizon uncertain, and the load at times heavy to bear. To mix the metaphors, she likens it to the snow poles on the Scottish moors. In summer they serve no purpose, but in winter they give the only clue as to solid ground. Her prayer, that she might remain between those poles just visible through the blizzard, while leaving to others for now to talk to the Laird about the route ahead.

The calm before the storm?

Two days until the next batch of chemo starts, and the pressure to accomplish at this period of relative health before the chemo toxins lay me low. So 7 hours spent at work today, knowing that the 2nd half of the week when I'm normally in the office will be interrupted by matters medical. Days 4 and 5 seemed to be the worst last time round, just spent lying on the couch, but got back to work by the middle of day 6. The medics have indicated that my experience during the first cycle is likely to repeat as each two week cycle kicks in - the fact that I only work half-time means I should be able to jig my hours to suit. Sent out our "Christmas letter" today, thankful for the strong friendships that time and distance cannot destroy - thankful too for our local friends who included us in their prayer focus last night at church.

Arrivals and Departure

Ruth, Maki and Amelia flew in last night, coming in via Milan, and then Easyjet to Bristol. Our first grandchild putting on the pounds since her birth here October 29th, and already a seasoned traveller. Maki's flight was pre-arranged to attend the Christian Camps International conference - Ruth and Amelia obtaining late discounted fares to make an encouragement stop, and be here for Elaine's father's funeral. His prayer these last three months - to be with Christ - answered a week ago today. Elaine has compassionate leave this coming week from her two days dentistry in Cardiff - the funeral will be on Friday. Peter and Ruth have also joined us for the weekend.

Where do I begin?

2008 was for Elaine and I a year of journeys - by minibus to Albania to visit Ruth & Maki, by train to Paris, by plane to Prague, and finally to Albania again by plane for the marriage of Miriam and Besmir. We returned from there early December with a sense of a blank canvas before us, wondering what God would wish to write there - where would our journey now take us, with all four children established on their own futures. We did not expect to have that journey laid out for us by three rapid-succession hospital visits, that resulted for David in a pre-Christmas diagnosis of bowel cancer that had also spread to the liver. The doctors would provide help on the journey, but had no control over the final destination.

We start to write these pages one month later, very conscious of a wide network of friends who would wish to pray intelligently, and the knowledge that keeping contact with such is just one of the extra 'bits of baggage' that could weigh us down. So we will try to express here from time to time facts, feelings, frustrations, but above all, faith. God has filled our lives to this day with His story, which he has personalised until the tears roll down our cheeks. No one reading these lines is unaware of King David's unequivocal boast - "yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me". May God enable us to colour in what that looks like in the 21st century, and guide you in prayer and support. Dave