June 10, 2009, 4 months post surgery

In spite of concerns that testing was beyond his limitations, Donard was able to complete follow-up tests on May 28th, and the surgeon reported that everything looked good from the surgery perspective. This gave him a green light with the insurance company to go back to work – if there is any available. He has not been strong enough to work before now but will give it a try beginning June 15. On June 3rd we learned that long-term disability was denied due to a glitch in timing of the surgery. It was a big disappointment but obviously not God’s plan. He has already been warned that he will likely be laid of after working two weeks.

In the medical arena, the doctors are now ready for him to resume chemo, but Donard is currently processing information and deciding if he is going to break away from mainstream treatments at MD Anderson and opt for an alternative. The last two chemo regimens left him very weak and with ongoing side effects that raise questions as to whether benefits of continuing such treatments outweigh the consequences. Surgery removed the immediate threat to his spinal cord, but there is still cancer in what remains of the rib that was partially removed, and there are also tumors in both lungs. Unless God chooses to heal miraculously, the battle is not over.

Getting the needed exercise to rebuild strength and stamina has been complicated by foot problems, back discomfort, and general, severe weakness. While Donard was specially blessed to be cough and sneeze-free for 3 months after surgery, that reprieve ended about a month ago with a relentless cough like Mendi and Misti and many others have had. After several nights with little or no sleep and a visit to the doctor, we discovered a combination of meds that helped him finally get some rest. A more recent complication is periodic extreme coughing spells laced with hard sneezes that give him no time to catch his breath and leave him exhausted. At four months post surgery, he has come a long way but is anxious to have more than one or two “good” days each week. Thankfully, today was one of those rare good days.

We are grateful for every expression of love and concern and for your continued prayers for wisdom, clear direction, and for the ability to see everything from God’s perspective. Needless to say, a miraculous healing would also be gladly welcomed.

"This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23