Health Update - 30 October 2010

Greetings friends,

I thought I might update you as to how I’m going in Melbourne. Interestingly, had I not been unwell, these past days I would have been in South Africa at the Lausanne gathering focused on world evangelisation, but like many other things I hold dearly, I’ve had to lay them aside for time being.

Unfortunately, there’s not a lot to report on regarding this radiation therapy. I won’t know how it’s impacting the cancer for weeks and months to come. Just so you understand, there’s a limit as to how much radiation a human body can absorb in a lifetime and at the conclusion of this treatment, I’ll have reached that capacity. Secondly, this radiation will continue to burn within me a month after the treatments have finished. So you can see, reaching a clear indication from the treatment can be tricky even after we’re done.

Two prayers points:

1. The radio therapy is accumulative, meaning that the fatigue and the heaviness will only grow worse as the weeks progress. Pray that I’ll have the strength to complete the full treatment.

2. In the third and fourth weeks, the possibility of a scorched oesophagus would make it difficult to drink as well as eat solids.

Like Abraham climbing the mountain and Isaac asks, “The fire and the wood are here but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham replies, “God Himself will provide, my son.” That’s how we feel. What’s going to happen? God will provide is all we can say.

Thank you for your prayers and on-going concern.

May God bless you.

Graham

Graham's Treatment Times

Graham's Treatment Times in Melbourne (Aust EST, 3 hours ahead of Perth):

Thurs 21st Oct 8.45am
Fri 22nd 8.10am

Mon 25th 1.15pm
Tues 26th 1.40pm
Weds 27th 1.55pm
Thurs 28th 11.35am
Fri 29th 11.35am

Mon 1st Nov 11.40am
Tues 2nd 11.45am
Wed 3rd 11.40am
Thurs 4th 11.40am Graham's Birthday too!
Frid 5th 11.35am

Mon 8th to Thurs 11th 11.40am
Fri 12th 12.00noon

Mon 15th & Tues 16th 11.40am
Wed 17th til final treatment on Fri 26th 11.45am

We would greatly appreciate it if you could pray along with us during these times.

Health Update - 6 October 2010

Greetings friends,

Many of you have been wondering, "Are they in Melbourne yet and have the started the treatment?" Tracey and I were left hanging ourselves with a starting date but the answer is: We commence on October 18th. There are two of us in the current treatment program with Dr. Feigen and the other fellow commenced last Monday, October 4th. Unfortunately, Dr. Feigen told me that my procedure was a little more complicated to set up and that I would have to begin two weeks after the first patient.

Anyways, Tracey and I are grateful to be in the program and we're using this time to prepare for the six weeks of intensive treatment. My brother, Kirk, has flown in from Florida and it's been a blessing having him here with us over the past week.

Also, I've been seeing the pain management specialist and they working wonders in alleviating the nerve pain in my shoulder. The current course of meds has me feeling little pain most days but incredibly sleepy all the time and I say, "I'll take it!"

God is good and we're in a great place. Yes, I'm in the latter stages of cancer but I'm feeling strong; I'm maintaining my weight; I'm confident and hopeful of positive result from my up-coming treatment and I want to give the LORD all the glory.

Keep us in your prayers as we head off to Melbourne. We're keep you posted as to how the treatment goes. We plan to return to Perth in early December and if all goes well, I'd like to resume my ministry at Subi Church after the Christmas holidays in the new year, which seems like a pipe dream when I think back to those early days of diagnosis.

All I can say is "Praise God for what He is doing in me!" and thank you for your prayers.

Yours in Christ,

Graham