Update by Mike Bullard:
Dear Friends,
As you are aware Graham returned from radiotherapy in Melbourne several weeks ago.
Unfortunately he has had to be hospitalised on Sunday, 26th Dec. He has some fluid build up in the lungs/heart area which needed to be drained. Tests have been done to determine why the fluid has gathered in his lungs. They are still not yet conclusive.
Please pray for God's strength and comfort, and ongoing healing - for Graham and Tracey, Paige and Carson.
Good news, while Graham won't be able to travel to the US, Wendell and Martha (Dad and mum) and Ben and Sherry (Brother and sister in law) will be travelling to Perth this weekend to see Graham.
If you would like to send Graham and Tracey a message, you can SMS +61402823078 (please do not call, just SMS) and they’ll get the message.
We will have a time of prayer at Subi Church today (31st Dec) from 6-7pm. You are invited to pray along with us if you are able. If you can't make it, please pray wherever and whenever you are able.
Blessings in Christ to you all,
Mike
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Health Update - 24 December 2010
Dear Friends,
Firstly, I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! It's going to be a real celebration in our home. Many experts had me passing away in my sleep in December and not seeing 2011 at all.
Tracey and I were reflecting on the start of 2010 and how our world was turned upside down. As we think about 2011, I'm asking that the LORD would grant me time to meditate; pray; hang with Tracey and the kids; just enjoy each day for the beauty and opportunities each moment brings. So many things in my world that seemed significant and important have lost their sparkle. At this time, I still will have to watch the stress levels as well as the the physical exertion.
Let me update you on how I'm doing. Since returning for Melbourne, I've had one agenda: Rest and recovery. Good ole' R & R. For the most part, it's been pretty successful, not doing too much, but slowly incorporating a little exercise and a few more activities into my routine. Also, I had a dietician who told Tracey, "Let him eat whatever he wants. Don't worry about it. If he wants, let him have it."
• I asked you to pray for my appetite. Well, it's improving daily and I've added several kilos to my weight since I last wrote.
• I've asked for wisdom and I believe that Lord has been guiding me in this recovery process.
• I asked for strength that I might be well enough to travel to the US. On Dec. 31, the Johnston family will be boarding a plane bound for Dallas, TX, home of my parents. We're top of the list to be able to upgrade our points to Business class seating for the long flight over the ocean. The Doctors have given me the all clear and letters for Qantas have been prepared. It's looking good. I'm looking forward to seeing tons of friends and family in Dallas as I'll be staying on to the end of the month of January.
• I still need prayer as the radiation continues to burn inside me. Dr. Feigen and others have suggested that three months is a reasonable time frame before entering into the testing phase to see what has been accomplished. Tracey and I are praying that when the results do come back early in 2011, we're going to be told that I'm cancer free in the left lung and that the right lung remains clear as well.
I was speaking with a good friend as we reflected upon the profundity of Ephesians 3. In verse 10, Paul writes concerning us, His people, the Church, "His intent was that now through the Church the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms." This is saying that the things I'm going through are witnessed, not only by those on earth, but also by those in the heavenly. How I conduct myself should reveal how great and wise Our God is! Reflecting on this motivates me to follow Christ all the more.
Have a blessed holiday!
Thank you for your on-going prayers and concern. God is at work; I'm just along for the ride.
Blessings,
Graham
Firstly, I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! It's going to be a real celebration in our home. Many experts had me passing away in my sleep in December and not seeing 2011 at all.
Tracey and I were reflecting on the start of 2010 and how our world was turned upside down. As we think about 2011, I'm asking that the LORD would grant me time to meditate; pray; hang with Tracey and the kids; just enjoy each day for the beauty and opportunities each moment brings. So many things in my world that seemed significant and important have lost their sparkle. At this time, I still will have to watch the stress levels as well as the the physical exertion.
Let me update you on how I'm doing. Since returning for Melbourne, I've had one agenda: Rest and recovery. Good ole' R & R. For the most part, it's been pretty successful, not doing too much, but slowly incorporating a little exercise and a few more activities into my routine. Also, I had a dietician who told Tracey, "Let him eat whatever he wants. Don't worry about it. If he wants, let him have it."
• I asked you to pray for my appetite. Well, it's improving daily and I've added several kilos to my weight since I last wrote.
• I've asked for wisdom and I believe that Lord has been guiding me in this recovery process.
• I asked for strength that I might be well enough to travel to the US. On Dec. 31, the Johnston family will be boarding a plane bound for Dallas, TX, home of my parents. We're top of the list to be able to upgrade our points to Business class seating for the long flight over the ocean. The Doctors have given me the all clear and letters for Qantas have been prepared. It's looking good. I'm looking forward to seeing tons of friends and family in Dallas as I'll be staying on to the end of the month of January.
• I still need prayer as the radiation continues to burn inside me. Dr. Feigen and others have suggested that three months is a reasonable time frame before entering into the testing phase to see what has been accomplished. Tracey and I are praying that when the results do come back early in 2011, we're going to be told that I'm cancer free in the left lung and that the right lung remains clear as well.
I was speaking with a good friend as we reflected upon the profundity of Ephesians 3. In verse 10, Paul writes concerning us, His people, the Church, "His intent was that now through the Church the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms." This is saying that the things I'm going through are witnessed, not only by those on earth, but also by those in the heavenly. How I conduct myself should reveal how great and wise Our God is! Reflecting on this motivates me to follow Christ all the more.
Have a blessed holiday!
Thank you for your on-going prayers and concern. God is at work; I'm just along for the ride.
Blessings,
Graham
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Health Update - 22 December 2010
Update by Rod Cousins:
It is now over 3 weeks since Graham completed the Radiation treatment in Melbourne. The supervising doctor is confident that results will be positive but it is still 6 or 7 weeks away before a meaningful scan can be taken to ascertain the full effects of the treatment. Graham has been struggling with loss of appetite which started during the treatment phase but has continued since then. However just this last weekend he really enjoyed some meals and was looking for extra portions, so that is some good news. He seems to be improving daily.
Late next week, Graham, Tracey and the family leave for a 4 week trip to the US to see family and friends. They will be staying at his parents place in Dallas with relatives and others coming to visit him. It is a long trip to undertake, especially when he finds sitting in one position for long very uncomfortable. Your prayers for Graham and the family are encouraged.
Regards,
Rod
It is now over 3 weeks since Graham completed the Radiation treatment in Melbourne. The supervising doctor is confident that results will be positive but it is still 6 or 7 weeks away before a meaningful scan can be taken to ascertain the full effects of the treatment. Graham has been struggling with loss of appetite which started during the treatment phase but has continued since then. However just this last weekend he really enjoyed some meals and was looking for extra portions, so that is some good news. He seems to be improving daily.
Late next week, Graham, Tracey and the family leave for a 4 week trip to the US to see family and friends. They will be staying at his parents place in Dallas with relatives and others coming to visit him. It is a long trip to undertake, especially when he finds sitting in one position for long very uncomfortable. Your prayers for Graham and the family are encouraged.
Regards,
Rod
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Health Update - 2 December 2010
Greetings my friends,
Firstly, let me apologise that our time in Melbourne left us a bit communication challenged. The good news is that Tracey and I arrived home safely on Friday following my 30th and final treatment earlier that day. After six weeks, I can't tell you how thrilled we are to be back home. I was concerned that my health might prevent me from travelling on the Friday but I was prepared to crawl across glass to get home. Each day now, I can feel myself getting stronger. So, I'm through the radiation treatment, praise God!
Now, everyone wants to know what was accomplished through this intense radiation treatment. Unfortunately, we wont know for awhile due to the extensive scar tissue and inflammation. What we do know is that the cancer sitting on my ribs in the upper left looks to be completely eradicated and my right lung has remained cancer free. So, the next couple of weeks will consist of rest and recovery; As well as managing the all the side effects, I'll be pulling back on my anti-naseau meds as well as the pain killers but this will be a gradual process. My first scans are scheduled for early Febuary, then we'll have a better idea of what happened.
While in Melbourne, we got close to this couple in the same program, Brendon and Sandy. We bonded almost immediately. Before we parted company, Brendon invited me to his bedside where I was able to share the gospel with him for over a half hour, pouring over Scriptures and asking, "What does it mean to be saved?". Both of them have proved to be very open to the Lord and we continue to be in regular contact with them. We'd appreciate if you might include them in your prayers.
Tracey and I have been reading through Proverbs together and one of the verses that struck me states, "The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish." (14:11) My body is just a tent, but I pray that the Lord will allow it to flourish for a years to come.
I'm home now just relaxing. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I recover and gain my strength.
Prayer:
1) Increased appetite and that I could start adding some weight.
2) That I might be able to listen to body and not push too hard or too fast during this time.
3) We're planning a trip to the US in January to see family and friends so pray that I'll be fit for this flight.
4) Pray that the radiation treatment accomplished what it supposed to and that my left lung will be found cancer free.
Thank you for your faithful prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Graham Johnston
Firstly, let me apologise that our time in Melbourne left us a bit communication challenged. The good news is that Tracey and I arrived home safely on Friday following my 30th and final treatment earlier that day. After six weeks, I can't tell you how thrilled we are to be back home. I was concerned that my health might prevent me from travelling on the Friday but I was prepared to crawl across glass to get home. Each day now, I can feel myself getting stronger. So, I'm through the radiation treatment, praise God!
Now, everyone wants to know what was accomplished through this intense radiation treatment. Unfortunately, we wont know for awhile due to the extensive scar tissue and inflammation. What we do know is that the cancer sitting on my ribs in the upper left looks to be completely eradicated and my right lung has remained cancer free. So, the next couple of weeks will consist of rest and recovery; As well as managing the all the side effects, I'll be pulling back on my anti-naseau meds as well as the pain killers but this will be a gradual process. My first scans are scheduled for early Febuary, then we'll have a better idea of what happened.
While in Melbourne, we got close to this couple in the same program, Brendon and Sandy. We bonded almost immediately. Before we parted company, Brendon invited me to his bedside where I was able to share the gospel with him for over a half hour, pouring over Scriptures and asking, "What does it mean to be saved?". Both of them have proved to be very open to the Lord and we continue to be in regular contact with them. We'd appreciate if you might include them in your prayers.
Tracey and I have been reading through Proverbs together and one of the verses that struck me states, "The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish." (14:11) My body is just a tent, but I pray that the Lord will allow it to flourish for a years to come.
I'm home now just relaxing. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I recover and gain my strength.
Prayer:
1) Increased appetite and that I could start adding some weight.
2) That I might be able to listen to body and not push too hard or too fast during this time.
3) We're planning a trip to the US in January to see family and friends so pray that I'll be fit for this flight.
4) Pray that the radiation treatment accomplished what it supposed to and that my left lung will be found cancer free.
Thank you for your faithful prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Graham Johnston
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