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
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Health Update - 7 November 2010
To my friends and colleagues around the world praying for me, thank you.
This weekend, I reached the halfway point the my treatment, 15 gone and 15 to go, and Iʼm feeling strong and confident that Iʼll be able to complete the course (although, it has been touch and go at times).
During my readings this week with Carson, the Lord lead me to Proverbs 13:9 “The light of the righteous shines brightly but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.” Again, just another encouragement that the Hand of the Lord is upon those who love him. “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His own name sake.” I want to be on that path and bring glory to His name. Carson and I prayed that my light would shine long and strong for the Lord. Tracey and I and all of our visiting friends have come to embrace Brendan and Sandy, a Queensland couple who are two weeks further ahead of us into the identical radiation treatment. When we first met them, he was wheelchair bound and they were discussing his removal from the treatment due to malnutrition-he wasnʼt eating. We immediately began praying for them and frankly, he quickly began getting better. Pray that we would be able to advance the spiritual conversation to matters of the gospel and a secure eternity in Christ and pray for Brendanʼs health.
As for me, Iʼm doing fine. Iʼm managing compliance with about 12 pills daily, not to mention patches, drinks, and the consumption of certain daily foods. The nausea seems well under control but Iʼve already experienced that itʼs a tenuous journey, one in which you can suddenly find yourself derailed.
As for the oesophagus, so far so good. Itʼs been a great week with treatment. Once again, the main issues remains the constant drowsiness; a heaviness of body; coupled by a lack of energy at the best of times; BUT, if thatʼs the worst of what it takes to get through this, no problem.
This week, nine members of family and friends, went to the stage production of Mary Poppins in downtown Melbourne. I was able to stay awake for most of it...Iʼd say most of it. But it was a tremendously uplifting night-just a lot of fun of everyone.
I praise the Lord that we seem to be on top of everything related to the treatment.
Prayer Points:
1. Pray that Iʼll continue going stronger throughout the next 15 treatments.
2. Pray that Brendanʼs cancer, like mine, would be eradicated through this treatment.
3. I praise God for Tracey and the amazing support system I have around me (and believe
you me, all of this support has not gone unnoticed).
May God enrich you as you uphold me.
Yours in Christ,
Graham Johnston
This weekend, I reached the halfway point the my treatment, 15 gone and 15 to go, and Iʼm feeling strong and confident that Iʼll be able to complete the course (although, it has been touch and go at times).
During my readings this week with Carson, the Lord lead me to Proverbs 13:9 “The light of the righteous shines brightly but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.” Again, just another encouragement that the Hand of the Lord is upon those who love him. “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His own name sake.” I want to be on that path and bring glory to His name. Carson and I prayed that my light would shine long and strong for the Lord. Tracey and I and all of our visiting friends have come to embrace Brendan and Sandy, a Queensland couple who are two weeks further ahead of us into the identical radiation treatment. When we first met them, he was wheelchair bound and they were discussing his removal from the treatment due to malnutrition-he wasnʼt eating. We immediately began praying for them and frankly, he quickly began getting better. Pray that we would be able to advance the spiritual conversation to matters of the gospel and a secure eternity in Christ and pray for Brendanʼs health.
As for me, Iʼm doing fine. Iʼm managing compliance with about 12 pills daily, not to mention patches, drinks, and the consumption of certain daily foods. The nausea seems well under control but Iʼve already experienced that itʼs a tenuous journey, one in which you can suddenly find yourself derailed.
As for the oesophagus, so far so good. Itʼs been a great week with treatment. Once again, the main issues remains the constant drowsiness; a heaviness of body; coupled by a lack of energy at the best of times; BUT, if thatʼs the worst of what it takes to get through this, no problem.
This week, nine members of family and friends, went to the stage production of Mary Poppins in downtown Melbourne. I was able to stay awake for most of it...Iʼd say most of it. But it was a tremendously uplifting night-just a lot of fun of everyone.
I praise the Lord that we seem to be on top of everything related to the treatment.
Prayer Points:
1. Pray that Iʼll continue going stronger throughout the next 15 treatments.
2. Pray that Brendanʼs cancer, like mine, would be eradicated through this treatment.
3. I praise God for Tracey and the amazing support system I have around me (and believe
you me, all of this support has not gone unnoticed).
May God enrich you as you uphold me.
Yours in Christ,
Graham Johnston
Saturday, October 30, 2010
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
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
Thursday, October 21, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
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
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
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