Today, I got the results my 6th CT scan. I started down this road over 3 years ago. On November 17th 2006, I found out I had a tumor the size of a cantaloupe in my colon. Well, it didn’t stay contained in the colon. It had attached itself to the abdominal wall, small intestine, another section of the large intestine, and the bladder. December 4th, 2006 I had surgery to attempt to remove this beast. The surgeon was successful in removing the tumor along with a bladder resection and colon and small intestine resections. On December 7th, 2006 the pathology report showed that there was no cancer to be found in my system. Nothing in the margins, and 22 out of 22 lymph nodes completely clean. Since then, I had six months of intensive chemo. My oncologist termed that preventative. I have been since visiting my oncologist every three months. I was scheduled to do that for 5 years. I have been informed if my results keep coming back like all previous results that I can be declared “cancer free” by the oncologist.

The current results still showed a spot on my liver . However I have been informed by my oncologist that it is nothing and I should not be concerned. While yes, they found a spot, ALL other labs, blood work and markers are “perfect”. AMAZING! This journey has never been about me. It has always been about God and His glory.

So what’s the next step? We keep moving. We keep living a healthy lifestyle for both my physical being as well as my spiritual. I will see my oncologist in 6 months for my “normal” routine of blood work. Then we should be on to the maintenance visits of every year.

Stay tuned…because I know God is not finished, with me or this journey. Exciting things are coming out of this journey. More on that later.

For now thanks for the prayers and support. See you next time.

Today I got the results my 4th CT scan . When I started down this road almost 3 years ago. November 17th 2006, I found out I had a tumor the size of a cantaloupe in my colon. Well it didn’t stay contained in the colon. It had attached itself to the abdominal wall, small intestine, another section of the large intestine and the bladder. December 4th, 2006 I had surgery to attempt to remove this beast. The surgeon was successful in removing the tumor along with a bladder resection and colon and small intestine resections. On December 7th, 2006 the pathology report showed that there was no cancer to be found in my system. Nothing in the margins, and 22 out of 22 lymph nodes completely clean. Since then, I had six months of intensive chemo. My oncologist termed that preventative. I have been since visiting my oncologist every three months. I was scheduled to do that for 5 years. I have been informed if my results come back like all previous results that I can be declared “cancer free” by the oncologist. That would be two years earlier than the best case scenario I was given in January 2007.

The results today showed a spot on my liver that has never been there before. They are not sure what it is. It could very well be nothing, or just a cyst. It could be a metastasis. So right now the course of action is to wait for a few months and retake a CT Scan. We will find that A) the spot is gone, B) the spot has not grown, or C) the spot is growing. If the spot is there, or if it’s growing, surgery is in play. Then we may have to look at treatment options again.

While yes, they found a spot ALL other labs, blood work and markers are “exceptional”. So what are we to make of this. Well, this journey has never been about me. This is not “Why me, why now.” Honestly why not me. It has always been about God and His glory.

Here are some lessons I am learning from having cancer. (The catalyst for this was something that John Piper wrote. I would encourage you to read it.)

• 
  
• I am learning that cancer is the best thing that has happened to me.
• I am learning — and continue to learn — to rely on God for everything. Only God can continue to get me through this. We can only LIVESTRONG™ if we’re GODSTRONG™
• I have begun the process of getting my affairs in order. No matter how long I live, it makes sense to know that my affairs are in — and remain — in order.
• I am learning that dying is not a loss and that staying alive is not the ultimate goal.
• I am learning that having cancer is a great way to develop deeper relationships with other people.
• I am learning that this is a process and not a destination. Cancer will always be a part of me.
• I am learning that sin is worse than cancer. Some of the things I have excused away as “just who I am” are sin.

• I am learning that I don’t need to sweat the “small stuff”.
• I am learning that it is better to influence others rather than simply inspiring them.
• I am learning that I can be just like the Israelites of the Old Testament. I was given a miracle 3 years ago and the further away I get from that, I find I can forget the miracle.
• I am learning that every day I wake and my feet touch the floor, it is a great day!
• I am learning that God has a purpose for me, my wife and my boys with this journey that He’s placed us on. May we be faithful.
• I have been given a platform to share what I believe and I am learning to use that.

“What’s the next step?”

. I started down this road almost 3 years ago. November 17th 2006, I found out I had a tumor the size of a cantaloupe in my colon. Well it didn’t stay contained in the colon. It had attached itself to the abdominal wall, small intestine, another section of the large intestine and the bladder. December 4th, 2006 I had surgery to attempt to remove this beast. The surgeon was successful in removing the tumor along with a bladder resection and colon and small intestine resections. On December 7th, 2006 the pathology report showed that there was no cancer to be found in my system. Nothing in the margins, and 22 out of 22 lymph nodes completely clean. Since then, I had six months of intensive chemo. My oncologist termed that preventative. I have been since visiting my oncologist every three months. I was scheduled to do that for 5 years. I have been informed if my results come back like all previous results that I can be declared “cancer free” by the oncologist. That would be two years earlier than the best case scenario I was given in January 2007.

The results today showed a spot on my liver that has never been there before. They are not sure what it is. It could very well be nothing, or just a cyst. It could be a metastasis. So right now the course of action is to wait for a few months and retake a CT Scan. We will find that A) the spot is gone, B) the spot has not grown, or C) the spot is growing. If the spot is there, or if it’s growing, surgery is in play. Then we may have to look at treatment options again.

While yes, they found a spot ALL other labs, blood work and markers are “exceptional”. So what are we to make of this. Well, this journey has never been about me. This is not “Why me, why now.” Honestly why not me. It has always been about God and His glory.

Here are some lessons I am learning from having cancer. (The catalyst for this was something that John Piper wrote. I would encourage you to read it.)

• I am learning that cancer is the best thing that has happened to me.
• I am learning — and continue to learn — to rely on God for everything. Only God can continue to get me through this. We can only LIVESTRONG™ if we’re GODSTRONG™
• I have begun the process of getting my affairs in order. No matter how long I live, it makes sense to know that my affairs are in — and remain — in order.
• I am learning that dying is not a loss and that staying alive is not the ultimate goal.
• I am learning that having cancer is a great way to develop deeper relationships with other people.
• I am learning that this is a process and not a destination. Cancer will always be a part of me.
• I am learning that sin is worse than cancer. Some of the things I have excused away as “just who I am” are sin.

• I am learning that I don’t need to sweat the “small stuff”.
• I am learning that it is better to influence others rather than simply inspiring them.
• I am learning that I can be just like the Israelites of the Old Testament. I was given a miracle 3 years ago and the further away I get from that, I find I can forget the miracle.
• I am learning that every day I wake and my feet touch the floor, it is a great day!
• I am learning that God has a purpose for me, my wife and my boys with this journey that He’s placed us on. May we be faithful.
• I have been given a platform to share what I believe and I am learning to use that.

“What’s the next step?”

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to give everyone a quick status update. Everything is going really with my health. All the docs are very happy which in turn makes me happy. I’ll be seeing my oncologist the first week of June for a scheduled checkup. We will then have a CT Scan to make sure that everything is clear. Please pray for me in the next coming weeks. I have been feeling great which has allowed me to slip into overdrive. I have taken on several projects at once. With that I need to keep up my strength and rest. I will also be traveling more than I have in the past couple of years over the next few months.

I will be heading out to Nashville on Sunday (after attending Austin’s audition for the drumline at Appalachian State) to attend Gospel Music Week. Austin will be making the trip with me. We are going to have a blast. Several of my old record company friends cannot wait to meet him. We will also be attending the Dove Awards. We are up for a couple that night. Austin is hoping that we win our categories so that I’ll have to accept the awards. He thinks that would be great. We will also celebrate his 18th birthday while we’re there. I will also be back in Nashville a couple weeks later because I’ve been elected once again to the board of the CMTA (Christian Music Trade Association). After that I’ll be traveling to Orlando for our annual trade show for a week. In between all that there is Austin’s graduation. I can’t believe where the time has gone.

The other thing is for Austin. He has taken on putting on a benefit concert for 3 groups. He has been planning this for months. There will be 3 bands playing that night. Austin’s band will close the concert. He put this video together and posted it on the website http://www.reachconcert.org . One of the causes is for a mentor of Austin. He has pulmonary fibrosis and is awaiting double lung transplant at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. David has been the single biggest influence to Austin throughout his music career. What we’re asking for is prayer. Pray that we will reach the students of Asheville, and Western North Carolina to motivate them to action. Please watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyMQxmlzpiE

Blessings

We can only LIVESTRONG™ if we’re GODSTRONG™.

Well summer is about gone. My doctors are very pleased with my continued improvement. All the tests that I have had throughout the summer, as well as the reversal of my illeostomy, have come back very positive. Starting September 18th I will begin my maintenance visits with my oncologist. They will be every 3 months for 3 years. I just want to say thank you all for your continued prayers for these past 9 months. We have seen God just do the miraculous. It is so good to be feeling good again.

Things around our household are totally crazy right now. Everyone’s doing great. Josh’s wedding is about a month away. He moves in to their new place in about 10 days. Austin is in the midst of applying to colleges and marching season. Lori is back at school dealing with all her other kids. I’m still doing what I love to do. How could I not….everyday what we do has the chance to change life for all eternity. That is what got me into the music business and what has sustained me to almost 20 years.

Thanks again for all your support and your prayers.

– Scott

We can only LIVESTRONG™ if we’re GODSTRONG™.

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on where we are in our journey. June 26th was my last chemo treatment. Everything went well with the last couple of treatments. Now we are on to the finishing touches. I’ve had in the last 2 weeks a colonoscopy and a CT scan. Everything looks good according to the doctors. August 6 I will have surgery to reverse my ileostomy. I’ll be spending a couple of days in the hospital. Then in September I begin my 3 month appointments with my oncologist for maintenance. My blood work has been good and my markers look great (according to my oncologist). Now we’re on to the next chapter in our journey.

I just want to thank all of you for your continued prayers and encouragement. Please don’t stop. This has been an incredible journey. I’m looking forward to what God has in store for us next.

If you have the opportunity don’t forget about my friend Cliff Phillips. He’s training hard to the NYC marathon. We’re still raising support for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. If you can donate it would be greatly appreciated. You can do that here. https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=158934&supid=162486079 If you have already done so…THANKS. If you can’t donate that OK as well. Pass it along to someone who might be able to.

Thanks again

– Scott

We can only LIVESTRONG™ if we’re GODSTRONG™.

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Sorry for the delay in my communications. After yesterdays treatment we are left with 4 more to go. The doctors are very encouraged with my progress. My blood counts are staying stable and they are thankful for the weight gain I’ve been experiencing. Not really sure I am. I didn’t think I was the vain type but after losing 100 pounds gaining 20 back has been a shock. Once the treatments are complete I will be able to get consistent with a diet and exercise program.

Yesterday I came to the halfway point in my treatment. My oncologist tells me I have 6 more treatments. That will bring me to the last week of June. My blood counts held steady and I will have a complete blood work up next week. I have gained weight over the last 5 weeks. So he’s very excited about that. All in all a good day. Generally most chemo days are spent reading or listening to some of my favorite podcasts (see below). It helps eat up the 6 hours that my treatments take. Once again I had an opportunity to share the story today with a student nurse who is graduating next month. She wanted to know how I could be so upbeat while I’m there for chemo. So I told her. I’m not sure that nursing school prepared her for what she heard.

Thank you all for your constant prayers and support. Words cannot express our gratitude. If you have not heard yet, my buddy Cliff Phillips ran the ING Atlanta Half-Marathon. He did absolutely great and I am so proud of him and the work that he is doing with the Lance Armstrong Foundation. He’s starting to train for the NYC Marathon in November. If you’d like to know how you can help us in this cause check out Cliff’s site: http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots/cliffphillips?faf=1=1003329846 Those of you that have already helped, THANK YOU!!!! If you can pass the info on to someone else. If you can’t help at this time we completely understand.

Everything around here is absolutely crazy. Our youngest son Austin, is getting ready to leave on a mission trip to the Gulf Coast with his church youth choir. He will be rehabbing house by day and performing in the evenings. Our oldest son Josh is frantically finishing up his last semester of college. He’s taking his comps for his major and finishing out honors college. If that isn’t enough he’s planning a wedding. He will be married on October 20. Lori & I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary this June. We definitely have a lot to be thankful for.

I hope this update finds you all well. If you have any prayer requests please let us know as we will be sure to stand with you in prayer. Until next time.

Favorite Podcasts

Light Without Limits – Dr. James Walker (my pastor) -http://archive.biltmorebaptist.org/bbcsermons.xml

Grace Brethren Church Calvert County, MD – Robert Wagner (my uncle) http://www.calvertgrace.org/audio/calvertgrace.rss

Walk in the Word – James MacDonald – http://www.walkintheword.com/podcast.xml

Rolling Hills Community Church – Dale Ebel (my former pastor in Oregon)– http://www.sermonfeed.com/rhcc

A New Beginning – Greg Laurie-

http://www.harvest.org/podcast/feed.php/anb.xml

First Baptist Church Naples – Dr. Hayes Wicker (my church in FL) – http://www.fbcn2.org/sermons/sermons.xml

Active Word – Bob Coy – http://www.activeword.org/podcast.xml

Strength for the Journey – Dr. Joe Stowell – http://www.rbc.org/strengthforthejourneypodcast.rss

– Scott

We can only LIVESTRONG™ if we’re GODSTRONG™.

If you can help with our fundraising for the NYC Marathon on behalf on the Lance Armstrong Foundation please click below.

Cliff Phillips’ site: http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots/cliffphillips?faf=1=1003329846

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Just wanted to give everyone an update on my progress. We’re approaching the halfway point with my treatment schedule. Next Tuesday (March 20) will be the mid-way point. The new treatments are going well. Whatever the new “cocktail” they’ve mixed for me appears to be working well. I am feeling great. I appear to be getting stronger every day and I’m actually gaining some weight back.

The only issue we’ve had is that my last blood work showed that my white cell count dropped substantially. It wasn’t low enough to interrupt my treatment schedule so my oncologist is not alarmed. However, it concerned me because it was the first big drop.

I appreciate all the emails and notes that keep coming my way. I am constantly amazed at how God is using this ride for his glory. I’m finding myself in conversations everyday where I get to share His story. In fact my whole family is having the same experience. We’re currently going through a series at church on Romans 12. We’re all learning new meanings on being a “living sacrifice” and “one body” as we continue on this journey.

We serve an awesome God. I must admit I don’t understand the reason for the adventure however, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I am learning so much on this adventure about me , about life. We as a family have been taking this opportunity to examine ourselves and look at what is truly important to us in this life we have. Oh how that has changed in the last 4 months. Instead of being completely wrapped up in my career, I’m looking for those opportunities to serve others. It really is amazing to see the responses of people when you say the word cancer. It really opens doors. The conversations get flowing.

I hope this update finds you all well. If you have any prayer requests please let us know as we will be sure to stand with you in prayer.

– Scott

We can only LIVESTRONG if we’re GODSTRONG.

If you can help with our fundraising for the ING Georgia Marathon on behalf on the Lance Armstrong Foundation please click below.

Cliff Phillips’ site: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=158934&supid=162