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What I Am Still Learning From My Cancer Part 2

February 17, 2010 in Cancer, Chemo, Godstrong, Livestrong, Miracle, Prayer, Recovery, Status, Survivor, Treatment, Updates with 0 Comments

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.

What I Am Learning From My Cancer

September 16, 2009 in Cancer, Chemo, Faith, Family, Godstrong, Livestrong, Miracle, Prayer, Recovery, Status, Survivor, Treatment, Updates with 0 Comments

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 an unkind jerk to many people including my wife and my boys. That needs to change. I am quite arrogant.

Having cancer has greatly humbled me, but I seek more humility.

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?” Continue Reading…

Nashville

May 1, 2008 in Concert, Family, Updates with 0 Comments

Austin's 18 @ Morton's

Wow last week in Nashville was awesome. Austin and I had such a great time. We celebrated his 18th birthday at Morton’s. Always an incredible meal. We were also able to catch several concerts. 2 events really stand out. First, I was able to join Austin at Rocketown for Tooth and Nail Records. This was where several of Austin’s favorite bands performed. I had finished up with my showcase where we had picked up some awards and found out that his showcase was still going on. So I sent a text to see if he’d mind if I hung out with him. Needless to say we didn’t get back to the hotel until 12:30 am. Morning came early and we were so glad for Starbucks.

The second was attending the Dove Awards. I was really fun to see the show through his eyes. I have had the privilege of attending for many years. This was his first. Although we did not win in our categories we had a great time.

It was great being able to introduce Austin to many of my friends in the industry. Next year we hope to have Josh join us. That would be an awesome adventure.

Until next time.

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

Reach

April 17, 2008 in Cancer, Concert, Drumline, Family, Reach, Status, Treatment, Updates with 0 Comments

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™.