Dear
brothers and sisters, my friends in Jesus both near and far,
Today
seemed like a very good time for me to at least express my thanks to you all,
as well as update you all personally. The latter is where I'll start. I've been
thinking of doing that for a while but have actually been fairly busy every day
and often tired. Was finally able to sleep much better last night, so it is
indeed a great day as given by our loving God!
As
for the nitty gritty kinds of things, yesterday morning I had the 17th blast to
my brain cells, with about 15 left -- blasts, not cells. Not sure everyone
cares to know these details, but I think some do. If not, you can skim over all
this.
Every
day it's exactly the same time length. I have the protective head cage put on
and holding me in place. Then I'm run into the radiation machine for two
minutes and out again; it's a test to make sure everything is working right.
Then I go back in for just over three minutes and the around-my-head invisible
blast. I keep using that word because right now I can't come up with a more
scientific one. That's it and I'm back out and done for the day. The whole
thing might take 15-20 minutes. Just one more note: the radiation does seem to
be getting closer to my left eye the past two days, which could cause problems
with my vision.
I'm
on lots of meds every day, naturally, including a pill for the chemo pill so I
don't have to go anyplace for that part of the treatment. One physical
result of all this is something I'm happy about; I have no trouble needing to
spend sick-time in bed, so my days are left free for me to accomplish things I
want to do. One of those is getting some exercise to help keep my weight from
increasing too much. I've been able to walk more and more outside, especially
on these wonderful sunny days. Plus, this next week I will start some physical
rehabilitation, which is very needed and will be so good for me, I'm sure.
Then,
of course, there's also dealing with the way this glioblastoma is affecting my
thinking. There are specific ways it separated my use of words and people's
names from my natural speaking. I'm being taught how to improve on that or get
around it in other ways in the brain. I meet in two hour long classes
each week with a speech-language pathologist.
Obviously
this all could mean huge changes for Colleen and me, as well as the
congregation I've been serving for 23 years. We are exploring options that are
available. As things become clear
we will be able to share more.
Which
brings me finally to the part that means the most. There are so many thank you's
I want to say to so many brothers, sisters, friends in Christ. I'm not able to
personally communicate with one and all for the emails and the cards I've
received through the mail. I would just say "thank you" from my heart
to one and all. Hearing the notes and prayers from you has brought such joy to
me! Thank you.
And
that is enough for now, I think. God bless and keep you all, in and through
your Savior.
Pastor
O.
