UPDATE (01Oct09) Read the entire report here.

The news is good…bottom line the CEA number apparently rose in response to the severe diarrhea that she has experienced in the past 15 days.  A new med has been prescribed to bring that sequence to an end (if you know what I mean!) and the hope is that the quieting of the GI tract will result in lower numbers.  The CT scan shows NO NEW GROWTH of cancer in any area from the neck to the abdomen.  There is no indication of cancer development or “hot” spots in the PET scan and all her other labs are NORMAL. Subsequently, the doctors seem to agree that this rise in the CEA is not problematic for now….

So, PRAISE THE LORD! Prayer is still effective.

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Today (30Sep09), Bishop Bill posted some discouraging news about Kathy. See the entire post here.

Well, this has been a huge emotional roller coaster for us this visit to Zion. Today is Wednesday (09/30/09) and we are sitting in our hotel room waiting on the insurance company to pre-certify a new CT scan for Kathy in hopes of determining the cause for the jump in her CEA-tumor marker numbers….

When Dr. Thompson told us that the numbers had jumped from 1.4 to 6.0, it was a shock to us. I guess we had not even prepared for the possibility of this, mainly because everything had been going so well and despite the side-effects, we were banking on a continued “normal” run to the announcement CANCER-FREE! Such may not be the case…

Here is the response that I left for them. I am confident that it is similar to what many of you would  also say… Read the rest of this entry »

Terms like “change” are full of personal and emotional connotations.  For example, change can be a positive word as it is expressed in terms of improving a mindset or organizational concept.  On the other hand, change can be difficult when it means leaving good friends and colleagues.

Kathy and I are going to reposition in Akron, Ohio as state overseers of the Church of God (our denomination) after 6 very productive and energizing years in Louisiana. This is a very bittersweet moment in our lives. Transition is not easy whether it is across the street or 17 hours away from comfortable environments.  Yet, life requires adjustment, repositioning, advancement and change.

Two years ago, I challenged our Louisiana family with this question “what now?” and sought to shape our view of the future after Katrina as one determined by a God who sees the end from the beginning.  We cannot..we only see this present moment, remember those before and anticipate the next one.  I like the word “anticipate” because it captures the excitement of change…of what will be or could be.

So, in a week, we will “change” locations with an eager anticipation of what will be in Ohio but we will never forget the incredible people, experiences or days we spent in this wonderful place, serving God and each other.

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