Sometimes you just have faith (08/18/2014 Update)

When I was first diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer a friend told me that I was now in a marathon. He advised me that there would be many challenges and I had to prepare for the long run. After six surgeries, 23 chemo treatments, countless tests, scans, and doctor visits (in a two year span)… Yes, it is a marathon! We were hoping I had crossed the finish line. But the race continues.

The scan results found three suspicious masses on my liver. I am now facing another reoccurrence of the cancer. The doctors are determining the best approach for this next battle. We are weighing pros and cons between a couple options. The first option (which we are leaning towards) will be surgery followed by intense chemo therapy. I will be undergoing a PET scan on Wednesday this week to determine if the three lesions found on the MRI are the only signs of cancer. Assuming the PET scan does not show any other evidence of cancer I will likely do the surgery soon and then follow-up with six treatments of intense chemotherapy. If the PET scan shows additional signs of cancer we will likely adjust the approach. In that case we would start with intense chemotherapy and reassess surgery after three treatments.

Both options will require intense chemotherapy. This chemo will include all the previous drugs, plus a new drug. It will be a double whammy. The hope is that this will make the difference in this war…

The good news is that there is still a chance for a complete remission! So once again we are asking for your prayers. For my family and me, my doctors, and all struggling with cancer (patients and support).

Father in Heaven, Thank you for gift of today on this great earth. And thank you for the gift of each other. Continue to teach us Father. Show us how to Love as you Love us. Give us strength to overcome the challenges in life. Guide is to increase our Faith so that we will always remain in you. Send us healing Lord so our ailments are removed. This we ask through Jesus Christ. Amen

I will keep my focus on Jesus. And ask him for the strength I need to continue this marathon. And I will remind myself that there is a plan. Albeit, one that we don’t understand right now. And sometimes, this time, I will simply keep the faith!

 ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. ⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

^{13 “}I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

Thank you in advance for all your prayers and support during these challenging days.

Sincerely,

Philip