Surgery

As it stands, neurological surgery to remove the regrowth of the tumor is scheduled for Thursday am, January 29 at Jefferson University Hospital with my same neurosurgeon who did such an excellent job last September. He certainly will be in familiar territory. I am currently on anti-seizure medication and anti-inflammatory steroid medication to minimize swelling. It seems to be working since the headaches have significantly subsided. I still have a slight tremor in my left hand and left side. Typing with my left hand is a challenge so if the words don't look right, I haven't done a careful spell check. We have some good input from our nutrition consultant on how to proceed and she is very encouraging regarding my prospects. My neurosurgeon is very positive about my outcome since I came through surgery so well last time. This time we have some very specific pathology tests for Jefferson to run on the tumor so that any chemotherapy and radiation can be more specific to exactly what I am dealing with. We can also add supplements based on our nutritional consultant's input that will strengthen my body for any chemo and radiation and help with their efficacy. It is all a very interesting journey. My heart is definitely deepened for others who go through similar experiences. My affection for contact from people is always there. People are very important to me. They always have been but even more so now. Your e-mails, phone calls, and even comments are invaluable and greatly appreciated. If there is any way I can respond, please leave contact information or I can at least follow your comment with a follow-up comment on the blog if that is sufficient. Your comments are treasured.

I will be out of the pulpit for several Sundays starting this Sunday. I will miss this time and hope to get back to preaching and pastoring as soon as possible. I am grateful for a great group of elders, leaders and congregation who are doing a great job of growing. I will miss every opportunity to join with them in this process.

Take note of these great words of prayer from Paul: For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)