Saturday, July 26, 2008

July 27th Update

It's been 10 days since our last update and since then I've completed 8 days of radiation treatments and my first, 3 day round of chemotherapy and, overall, I'm feeling good. The chemo gives me a bit of nausea and the radiation makes me a little tired but both just give me a good excuse for afternoon naps... I'll be going back to the surgeon on Thursday this week to have the final drain tube removed. Amen! I can't wait to get rid of this hose hanging out of my side. But, on Friday, August 8th, I go in for surgery to have another tube installed... This tube will be the "port-a-cath" that will be put in my clavicle area and will provide easy access to a vein for the rest of my treatments. So, I'll get rid of one tube and get another...

As we go through this event, Robyn and I have taken note, again, of the countless blessings that have occurred in our lives since this all began. Just the other day we received a message from Lori Greene that someone had made a $600 deposit into the bank account that she had set up for us. Later that day Robyn was opening the mail and found a medical bill for $774.94. The very next envelope she opened was a check for $175 from a bank card that had discontinued our rewards program. So, we had 6 cents more than we needed for the medical bill! Some would look at that and think God giveth and taketh away but we looked at that and we're amazed at how He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. It's just like our need to get away for a couple of days just before my treatments started. God prompted so many people to help us with that trip and we got the rest we needed and enjoyed every minute of it.
Another example is two nights ago, our air conditioning went out at 9:30 pm. I'm able to fix a lot of things but air conditioning is not one of them so I picked up the phone to call my a/c man expecting to leave him a message to ask him to put me on his schedule for the next day. To my surprise, he answered the phone and was at my house by 10:00 pm and had it fixed and blowing cold air by 11:00! 
Every day we are amazed how God is providing for us. We aren't surprised anymore but very much amazed at how He just keeps being gracious.  For us, the really amazing thing is how faithful He is in fulfilling His promise to love us. We see it through each of you who call, email, write, and pray for us. It is difficult to describe but we also see Him working in your lives as well. It's great to see how He can take a difficult event in one person's life and bless so many people as they try to soften the blow by sharing His love. What a great circle of love!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Russ,

I have been following your blog ever since Melissa Jill posted your pictures and blog link on her blog. I am in Gainesville, Florida. Thank you so much for the courage to share your story. Everytime you post an update, I gather my three children (13, 11, 6) and my husband around the computer and read them your entry. We are ALL certain that you will make a full recovery and we look forward to hearing about your continued wins as you fight this cancer. You have touched us and given us an inside look on how cancer effects the person and the family. You are in our prayers!

Cheers,
Laurel, Stuart, Madison, Rowan, Aidan
www.thephotoenthusiast.com

Anonymous said...

Love the story about the medical bill and the money coming in....God is so faithful. Wonderful to see you my friend. How my heart is walking this journey with you guys. Lifting you up always to the Lord - our precious Lord who has you in His hands. You guys are a blessing beyond measure to us..Love you dearly! Mama mia!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Russ! Hi Robyn! Your story is truly inspirational. Russ, I'm glad to see you still have that million dollar (mmm, in today's dollars would be a gadjillion) smile...it reflects that unending faith you have always carried. I, and everyone here at Upland Fire, wish you a complete recovery. Your friend, Kim Prout.