VIEW FROM THE WAITING ROOM – PART VII
This will be the last “View” before surgery on Tuesday. If you’ve been following the blog you will know that I’ve been reflecting on values, truths, etc. that seem to come into sharper focus when you’re waiting for major surgery. Yesterday I had my final pre-surgery interview with the anesthetist. When I stood up to shake his hand as he walked into the room I could read his thoughts from the look in his eyes: “we’re goin’ to need a megadose to put this guy under.” Actually, his parting words were “you’ll be fine.”
As we left he gave us (Shirley was with me) some instructions about what to bring to the hospital on Tuesday morning. To sum up: “only the bare essentials. You’ll probably want a toothbrush…” Interesting how at the critical turning points in life the stuff you really need becomes very minimal. We did go out and buy a new terrycloth robe and some slip-on slippers. But the hospital even provides one of those gowns with rear air conditioning and paper slippers if you don’t have your own.
It reminds me of what Jesus said: “a person’s life does not consist of the abundance of things which he possesses.” We spend so much time and attention and money gathering stuff. We have so much in our great country… so much to be thankful for. Shirley and I have lots of stuff in our house. It’s no sin to enjoy the material blessings God gives us as long as they don’t become idols. Under normal circumstances this would be the time to lay a heavy on about how little people have in the developing world and how we should be giving more to missions and to relieving poverty. (“Every head bowed…every eye closed… bring the offering plates…”).
But at this point I’m simply thinking about how simple life becomes when you are staring your own mortality in the face. I’m so grateful that I will have all I need on Tuesday morning – the love and prayers of my family and a host of friends, good surgeons and medical workers, and a great future to move into on the other side of the anesthetic. And, yes, I’ll be thankful for the gown, the slippers and the toothbrush. But at the end of the day, it’s God and people who make life abundant. I’m blessed.
KEN
(My next blog installment will be a view from the recovery room.)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
View from the waiting room - VI
(The waiting will soon be done. Surgery is nexts Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. The original intention of this blog was to provide information for those who wanted to follow up the surgery. With the delay, it became something else - a platform for me to reflect. Thanks to those of you who have been following and encouraging these musings.)
I guess most of us don't fully recognize the passing of time in our lives. When you are forced to state your age, it's usually followed by "... but I don't feel 66 (or whatever age). In my mind I still feel like 35." It's true for me and I know for many others. It's not denial, it's fact. "In my mind..." that's really how I feel. But when I'm forced to look at the evidence (my driver's licence, my sometimes creaking joints, my slower memory... etc.) I know it's true. The years have passed.
Perhaps the most jarring reminder of aging is when you encounter other "young" people who aren't so young anymore. You can't kid yourself. I'm in the midst of one of the times today. I'm at a conference in Manitoba talking to pastors and church leaders about what God is doing in Africa and elsewhere around the world. Many of the pastors I'm talking to are ones whom I taught in Saskatoon back in the '70s and '80s. Most of them have grey hair (or no hair) and thicker bodies. Some of them are talking about the recent weddings of their kids. Yikes! These guys (men and women) were "kids" back in the day.
The most gratifying part being in the 'seniors' section of the waiting room is to see and hear what has happened in many of these lives since Saskatoon days. One is the district superintendent. One is the pastor of one of our largest churches. Another 30 to 40 are serving God faithfully in other places where He is using them to build the lives of people into the likeness of Christ. There's no experience quite like having them come and say "I want to thank you, Dr. Birch, (they can't shake the authority title of college days) for your part in my shaping my life in Bible College." I can't say that back in the day I felt like I was shaping a man or woman of God. I was running hard as a young man just into my 30s trying to keep up with the responsibilities of running the College. But obviously God was in the experience both for me and for them. I'm incredibly grateful.
I've just re-read what I've written. I'm reminiscing like the old man I've become. Shirley would protest at me calling myself old. My mind protests. "I don't feel old." Shirley will tell you "he's not old. Denial is not just a river in Egypt. Cheers. Yours forever young,
KEN
I guess most of us don't fully recognize the passing of time in our lives. When you are forced to state your age, it's usually followed by "... but I don't feel 66 (or whatever age). In my mind I still feel like 35." It's true for me and I know for many others. It's not denial, it's fact. "In my mind..." that's really how I feel. But when I'm forced to look at the evidence (my driver's licence, my sometimes creaking joints, my slower memory... etc.) I know it's true. The years have passed.
Perhaps the most jarring reminder of aging is when you encounter other "young" people who aren't so young anymore. You can't kid yourself. I'm in the midst of one of the times today. I'm at a conference in Manitoba talking to pastors and church leaders about what God is doing in Africa and elsewhere around the world. Many of the pastors I'm talking to are ones whom I taught in Saskatoon back in the '70s and '80s. Most of them have grey hair (or no hair) and thicker bodies. Some of them are talking about the recent weddings of their kids. Yikes! These guys (men and women) were "kids" back in the day.
The most gratifying part being in the 'seniors' section of the waiting room is to see and hear what has happened in many of these lives since Saskatoon days. One is the district superintendent. One is the pastor of one of our largest churches. Another 30 to 40 are serving God faithfully in other places where He is using them to build the lives of people into the likeness of Christ. There's no experience quite like having them come and say "I want to thank you, Dr. Birch, (they can't shake the authority title of college days) for your part in my shaping my life in Bible College." I can't say that back in the day I felt like I was shaping a man or woman of God. I was running hard as a young man just into my 30s trying to keep up with the responsibilities of running the College. But obviously God was in the experience both for me and for them. I'm incredibly grateful.
I've just re-read what I've written. I'm reminiscing like the old man I've become. Shirley would protest at me calling myself old. My mind protests. "I don't feel old." Shirley will tell you "he's not old. Denial is not just a river in Egypt. Cheers. Yours forever young,
KEN
Saturday, October 24, 2009
View from the Waiting Room - Part V
I'm thankful that in this waiting period I've had no pain or limitation of ability to work or do whatever. I'm writing this in the Vancouver airport as I wait for my flight to Edmonton for meetings over the weekend. And then next week I will spend some days at a District Conference of our churches in Manitoba representing PAOC missions and ERDO.
As a pastor/teacher one truth you try to communicate often is that of “faith”. One of the most effective ways to teach is to use analogies – real-life experiences of your students (children, congregations or whoever) to convey something you want them to understand. Jesus did it with parables. Using “object lessons” has been a common teaching strategy in school classrooms.
For me, taking an airplane flight has been one of the most powerful illustrations of faith.
I’ve taken hundreds of them. It’s such a common experience I hardly think about it anymore. But when I do I’m always struck by the huge leap of faith that is involved in boarding an airplane. The flight attendants and staff are trained to communicate an air of confidence. Two important looking people disappear through the little door at the front and you wait for the soothing voice (male or female) saying “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. My name is …. Welcome aboard.” And then, on a good day, follows the usual routines of take off, flying and landing.
When you think of it, an airplane flight is a powerful lesson in faith. It’s a one hundred percent commitment of your life into the hands of a machine and the people who fly it. There are dozens of trust issues involved in following the simple instruction: “sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.” You have relinquished all control into the hands of others.
Of course, I’m thinking of the upcoming surgery experience these days. It, too, is a comparable step of faith and commitment. When the anesthetic kicks in you are totally in the hands of others. You trust their skill and experience to bring you through to the other side of disease to health and healing.
We know that aviation accidents happen. We know that even the best doctors are human and fallible. They make mistakes. But over and above all, Christians have faith in a never-failing God who never makes mistakes. He has all knowledge and power. Most of all, His love never fails. The Psalmist repeats it over and over: “His love endures forever”.
Whether in an airplane or in the operating room, we have this confidence: “underneath are the everlasting arms.”
KEN
As a pastor/teacher one truth you try to communicate often is that of “faith”. One of the most effective ways to teach is to use analogies – real-life experiences of your students (children, congregations or whoever) to convey something you want them to understand. Jesus did it with parables. Using “object lessons” has been a common teaching strategy in school classrooms.
For me, taking an airplane flight has been one of the most powerful illustrations of faith.
I’ve taken hundreds of them. It’s such a common experience I hardly think about it anymore. But when I do I’m always struck by the huge leap of faith that is involved in boarding an airplane. The flight attendants and staff are trained to communicate an air of confidence. Two important looking people disappear through the little door at the front and you wait for the soothing voice (male or female) saying “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. My name is …. Welcome aboard.” And then, on a good day, follows the usual routines of take off, flying and landing.
When you think of it, an airplane flight is a powerful lesson in faith. It’s a one hundred percent commitment of your life into the hands of a machine and the people who fly it. There are dozens of trust issues involved in following the simple instruction: “sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.” You have relinquished all control into the hands of others.
Of course, I’m thinking of the upcoming surgery experience these days. It, too, is a comparable step of faith and commitment. When the anesthetic kicks in you are totally in the hands of others. You trust their skill and experience to bring you through to the other side of disease to health and healing.
We know that aviation accidents happen. We know that even the best doctors are human and fallible. They make mistakes. But over and above all, Christians have faith in a never-failing God who never makes mistakes. He has all knowledge and power. Most of all, His love never fails. The Psalmist repeats it over and over: “His love endures forever”.
Whether in an airplane or in the operating room, we have this confidence: “underneath are the everlasting arms.”
KEN
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
View From The Waiting Room - part IV
I sent part III on Monday but it doesn't appear on my blogspot. Did anyone out there get it?
My musings were basically related to the fact that as this delay of surgery drags on some may be asking "is it really going to happen?" My response was (think of the infamous "balloon boy" farce) "yes, it's really going to happen and no, it's not going to be part of a reality TV series".
Shirley and I, along with a host of wonderful friends, are praying:
a. God will miraculously remove the cancer and nothing will be found when the surgeon goes in;
b. or the diseased tissues will be contained and the surgery will completely deal with the problem.
The surgeons are predicting the result will be either 'b' or something that will require further treatment. Medical experts are divided on whether chemo and/or radiation is effective for melanoma. The usual response is "every melanoma is unique..." As a result they won't commit as to the out come of any chosen path of treatment.
In the midst of this, we remain at peace, trusting God for whatever outcome. Somehow He has it all under control. Our family doctor continues to battle on behalf of our situation but the surgery date continues to be fixed for Nov. 3rd.
In the meantime, I will be travelling to Edmonton and Winnipeg to represent the Missions Department and ERDO in various meetings with pastors and church leaders. I'll be gone from the 23rd (this Friday) until the 29th.
We continue to follow Paul's direction: :in everything give thanks..."
Blessings.
KEN AND SHIRLEY
My musings were basically related to the fact that as this delay of surgery drags on some may be asking "is it really going to happen?" My response was (think of the infamous "balloon boy" farce) "yes, it's really going to happen and no, it's not going to be part of a reality TV series".
Shirley and I, along with a host of wonderful friends, are praying:
a. God will miraculously remove the cancer and nothing will be found when the surgeon goes in;
b. or the diseased tissues will be contained and the surgery will completely deal with the problem.
The surgeons are predicting the result will be either 'b' or something that will require further treatment. Medical experts are divided on whether chemo and/or radiation is effective for melanoma. The usual response is "every melanoma is unique..." As a result they won't commit as to the out come of any chosen path of treatment.
In the midst of this, we remain at peace, trusting God for whatever outcome. Somehow He has it all under control. Our family doctor continues to battle on behalf of our situation but the surgery date continues to be fixed for Nov. 3rd.
In the meantime, I will be travelling to Edmonton and Winnipeg to represent the Missions Department and ERDO in various meetings with pastors and church leaders. I'll be gone from the 23rd (this Friday) until the 29th.
We continue to follow Paul's direction: :in everything give thanks..."
Blessings.
KEN AND SHIRLEY
Friday, October 16, 2009
View from the Waiting Room, part II
Music has always been a huge part of my life - a constant accompaniment. That appreciation seems to be intensifying in the waiting room.
I think I know where I got this compulsive need to have music in almost every part of my life. My mother loved music. She never became an accomplished musician but she could sing the words of every song in the 'hit parades' of the 40s and 50s. It hit me when we brought our first-born, Kevin, only a few months old, home from California where we were studying in 1971. It was the first time my folks had ever seen their first grandchild. We weren't in the door of our little family home in Victoria more than 5 minutes when Mom grabbed Kevin out of Shirley's arms and began to dance around the living room with him her arms to the music of whatever song was on the radio. Those were joyous, rhythmic, bonding, loving moments. And I knew that was it! That was the genesis of this love of mine for music. And, yes, her grandchildren have that same love deeply embedded in their DNA too. But I have digressed...
Our faith is a singing faith. That doesn't mean that participation is limited to those who can carry a tune with their voices. Non-singers are also more than welcome. A"singing faith" is one that is a tightly-woven tapestry of words and music, head and heart, truth and tunes. It just oozes from Paul's words: "...speaking to one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." (Eph. 5:19). It's in the DNA. He couldn't keep a lid on it. It bubbles out to "one another" and if there isn't someone else around then it's just in our hearts. [I've written an article on these 3 types of songs which sits in my files. I guess I should see if it flies somewhere.]
I've had a lot of bubbling in my heart these days in the waiting room. Of course the words of Scripture in music are the most uplifting and faith-building. Not surprisingly, the words "Give thanks, with a grateful heart..." were in my heart all day last Monday, Thanksgiving. Music comes from the mind ("understanding") and the heart ("Spirit/spirit"). Music gives expression to the emotional or "feeling" side of our worship. But it must never be separated from the truth that our song comes from God and is given back to Him in praise. I must resist the impulse to preach here. But music ministers with power, often with power that surpasses the bare spoken word.
I need to confess here that it's not just Christian music that fills my days in the waiting room. I enjoy many different kinds of music. I hope it won't lower my spiritual stature in your eyes to tell you that I really enjoy jazz and classical music. I feel enriched when I hear Beethoven's 9th Symphony or Oscar Peterson playing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."
It's sounding like my life these days is all idleness and quiet meditation. Far from it. I'll share more in the coming days. Must run. I feel a song coming on. Wanna dance? Blessings. KEN
I think I know where I got this compulsive need to have music in almost every part of my life. My mother loved music. She never became an accomplished musician but she could sing the words of every song in the 'hit parades' of the 40s and 50s. It hit me when we brought our first-born, Kevin, only a few months old, home from California where we were studying in 1971. It was the first time my folks had ever seen their first grandchild. We weren't in the door of our little family home in Victoria more than 5 minutes when Mom grabbed Kevin out of Shirley's arms and began to dance around the living room with him her arms to the music of whatever song was on the radio. Those were joyous, rhythmic, bonding, loving moments. And I knew that was it! That was the genesis of this love of mine for music. And, yes, her grandchildren have that same love deeply embedded in their DNA too. But I have digressed...
Our faith is a singing faith. That doesn't mean that participation is limited to those who can carry a tune with their voices. Non-singers are also more than welcome. A"singing faith" is one that is a tightly-woven tapestry of words and music, head and heart, truth and tunes. It just oozes from Paul's words: "...speaking to one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." (Eph. 5:19). It's in the DNA. He couldn't keep a lid on it. It bubbles out to "one another" and if there isn't someone else around then it's just in our hearts. [I've written an article on these 3 types of songs which sits in my files. I guess I should see if it flies somewhere.]
I've had a lot of bubbling in my heart these days in the waiting room. Of course the words of Scripture in music are the most uplifting and faith-building. Not surprisingly, the words "Give thanks, with a grateful heart..." were in my heart all day last Monday, Thanksgiving. Music comes from the mind ("understanding") and the heart ("Spirit/spirit"). Music gives expression to the emotional or "feeling" side of our worship. But it must never be separated from the truth that our song comes from God and is given back to Him in praise. I must resist the impulse to preach here. But music ministers with power, often with power that surpasses the bare spoken word.
I need to confess here that it's not just Christian music that fills my days in the waiting room. I enjoy many different kinds of music. I hope it won't lower my spiritual stature in your eyes to tell you that I really enjoy jazz and classical music. I feel enriched when I hear Beethoven's 9th Symphony or Oscar Peterson playing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."
It's sounding like my life these days is all idleness and quiet meditation. Far from it. I'll share more in the coming days. Must run. I feel a song coming on. Wanna dance? Blessings. KEN
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
View from the waiting room
There will be no literal "waiting room" for me when surgery day comes. The time pressure is so tight for hospital room here in Victoria that I am instructed to arrive at the hospital at 6 a.m. on November 3rd and by 9:30 I'll be counting backwards from 10 as the anaesthetic kicks in ("10..9..8.... see ya"). That will leave Shirley in the waiting room.
And so these days are my "waiting room" experience. I should be good a waiting after all those hours in African airport waiting rooms. But I'm not. So I've been asking the Lord to teach me again how to deal with delays. And He is doing it with a lot of help from my praying friends.
Perhaps the greatest lesson is on prayer (again). I've been re-reading Yancey's book on Prayer which is one of the best (along with Richard Foster's "Prayer, Finding the Heart's True Home"). I resonate with the truth that prayer is primarily a relationship with God where, when we draw close to Him, the Spirit, who knows our hearts, prays for us "with groanings that cannot be uttered". Paul calls it 'praying in the Spirit' in Romans 8. Prayer then morphs into worship and the exact words or forms of prayer become secondary to just being in His presence.
Of course, there are specific requests in prayer. I don't do well at praying for myself. I can't shake the feeling that it's a selfish thing to do. But the Bible has lots of exhortations and examples of that kind of prayer. And so I'm doing better at it. But most of all I'm thankful for time in the waiting room to pray for others. I think there are more people on my list than I've had at one time in my entire life. That's because I've heard from SO MANY who have called or emailed to say they are concerned and praying for me. It has been an incredible experience of being cared for by the Body of Christ. That moves me to pray for these people and others who have needs as great or greater than mine.
Another blessing of the waiting room is time to write. More about that in my next blog.
Pardon my lengthy musings. I don't think blogs are intended to be extended trains of thought. But I'm new to this. Hope you enjoy reading these thoughts. God bless.
KEN
And so these days are my "waiting room" experience. I should be good a waiting after all those hours in African airport waiting rooms. But I'm not. So I've been asking the Lord to teach me again how to deal with delays. And He is doing it with a lot of help from my praying friends.
Perhaps the greatest lesson is on prayer (again). I've been re-reading Yancey's book on Prayer which is one of the best (along with Richard Foster's "Prayer, Finding the Heart's True Home"). I resonate with the truth that prayer is primarily a relationship with God where, when we draw close to Him, the Spirit, who knows our hearts, prays for us "with groanings that cannot be uttered". Paul calls it 'praying in the Spirit' in Romans 8. Prayer then morphs into worship and the exact words or forms of prayer become secondary to just being in His presence.
Of course, there are specific requests in prayer. I don't do well at praying for myself. I can't shake the feeling that it's a selfish thing to do. But the Bible has lots of exhortations and examples of that kind of prayer. And so I'm doing better at it. But most of all I'm thankful for time in the waiting room to pray for others. I think there are more people on my list than I've had at one time in my entire life. That's because I've heard from SO MANY who have called or emailed to say they are concerned and praying for me. It has been an incredible experience of being cared for by the Body of Christ. That moves me to pray for these people and others who have needs as great or greater than mine.
Another blessing of the waiting room is time to write. More about that in my next blog.
Pardon my lengthy musings. I don't think blogs are intended to be extended trains of thought. But I'm new to this. Hope you enjoy reading these thoughts. God bless.
KEN
Monday, October 12, 2009
Thanks!
Happy Thanksgiving! I'm sure most of us heard some good messages and got lots of reminders yesterday about the importance of giving thanks. Shirley and I just want to share a few words to say how thankful we are to the Lord for all the good gifts He continually showers on our lives.
These blessings would be similar to the ones that most of you will rehearse over this weekend - family, friends, daily bread, a roof over our heads, a great country to live in, health...
Ah yes, health. There's nothing like a health threat to make you appreciate the blessing of good health which we have enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, each day. Except for a bit of a stiff neck, I have no manifestations of the disease which the scans tell us is at work on the inside.
I have often said over the years "every new morning is a gift from God". The truth of that has never meant more than it does these days. I have great confidence in the promises of God which include physical healing. But whatever He has in mind, the greatest confidence I have is that my life is hid with Christ in God. "Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing causes them to stumble." (Psa. 199.165) Happy thanksgiving, indeed! KEN
These blessings would be similar to the ones that most of you will rehearse over this weekend - family, friends, daily bread, a roof over our heads, a great country to live in, health...
Ah yes, health. There's nothing like a health threat to make you appreciate the blessing of good health which we have enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, each day. Except for a bit of a stiff neck, I have no manifestations of the disease which the scans tell us is at work on the inside.
I have often said over the years "every new morning is a gift from God". The truth of that has never meant more than it does these days. I have great confidence in the promises of God which include physical healing. But whatever He has in mind, the greatest confidence I have is that my life is hid with Christ in God. "Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing causes them to stumble." (Psa. 199.165) Happy thanksgiving, indeed! KEN
Friday, October 9, 2009
A date has been set
There is news in this waiting room on the journey. On Wednesday we were told that we are confirmed for surgery on Nov. 3rd. Our GP immediately said "this is not the last word..." but today he had to accept that, in fact, it probably is the last word. I assured him of our continuing peace about the situation, including the delay. It was obvious he couldn't understand how that could be. But, of course, that's exactly what the Word promises, a peace beyond understanding.
He has asked me to become an ally in crusading with him to address the medical establishment to address this dismal situation - the delay of urgent surgery for weeks and months beyond acceptable time frames. He is asking "if you don't feel you want to do it for yourself, do it for the dozens of others who are caught in the same intolerable situation." I'm thinking about working with him on this. But my impulses are pastoral, not political.
We continue to receive messages of concern and encouragement from so many friends, especially our missionary colleagues. Yesterday a phone call came from Pastor Raha in Bukavu, Congo, assuring us that his family and the congregation of Bethsaida Church were praying fervently for us. I've had the privilege of being in some of their 6 a.m. prayer meetings. Their fervency puts us western Christians ('wazunga') to shame. And then we received a very welcome email from our dear friend Simon Peter Emiau, the General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Uganda. Faith and brotherly love exude from this good man.
Most of you will know that Africa and our friends their have a deep place in our hearts. Africa and its people do that to you, especially if God has called you to be part of their lives. And that is perhaps the greatest frustration (pain!) of being side-lined temporarily with this disease and surgery. Simon Peter gave us this encouraging word in his email: "just as the cries of the disciples woke Jesus in the storm, that's what the prayers of the saints will do for you in this situation." We don't understand all of the 'mysteries' of prayer but we do know that He still answers prayer and calms storms. Thanks for standing with us.
KEN AND SHIRLEY
P.S. We now have an email account set up in our new place. Shirley will be the primary user. It has the same address that we had in Sooke: ksbirch@shaw.ca.
He has asked me to become an ally in crusading with him to address the medical establishment to address this dismal situation - the delay of urgent surgery for weeks and months beyond acceptable time frames. He is asking "if you don't feel you want to do it for yourself, do it for the dozens of others who are caught in the same intolerable situation." I'm thinking about working with him on this. But my impulses are pastoral, not political.
We continue to receive messages of concern and encouragement from so many friends, especially our missionary colleagues. Yesterday a phone call came from Pastor Raha in Bukavu, Congo, assuring us that his family and the congregation of Bethsaida Church were praying fervently for us. I've had the privilege of being in some of their 6 a.m. prayer meetings. Their fervency puts us western Christians ('wazunga') to shame. And then we received a very welcome email from our dear friend Simon Peter Emiau, the General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Uganda. Faith and brotherly love exude from this good man.
Most of you will know that Africa and our friends their have a deep place in our hearts. Africa and its people do that to you, especially if God has called you to be part of their lives. And that is perhaps the greatest frustration (pain!) of being side-lined temporarily with this disease and surgery. Simon Peter gave us this encouraging word in his email: "just as the cries of the disciples woke Jesus in the storm, that's what the prayers of the saints will do for you in this situation." We don't understand all of the 'mysteries' of prayer but we do know that He still answers prayer and calms storms. Thanks for standing with us.
KEN AND SHIRLEY
P.S. We now have an email account set up in our new place. Shirley will be the primary user. It has the same address that we had in Sooke: ksbirch@shaw.ca.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Closer... but still waiting
(This is my 3rd attempt to get this off. Hope it works this time.)
The title says it all. We were supposed to receive the call on Friday with a date for surgery this week. This was the message to my Dr. from the powers-that-be in the hospital system here. When it didn't come he was seriously annoyed. But we believe that this timing thing is in God's hands.
In the meantime we reached a significant milestone this weekend when we moved into our new home. This has also been a long journey of over a year. But the final result is wonderful. We are grateful for God's provision. We have a million dollar view. We didn't pay for the view, just for a small lot and a medium sized house. You are welcome to visit when you are in the area. The address is 5413 Jacobs Lane, Nanaimo. Our new phone number is (250) 585 8510. Shirley's cell is (250) 816 3335. She expects that line will be busy in the coming weeks.
In the meantime we wait.... but with God's peace that passes understanding. KEN AND SHIRLEY
The title says it all. We were supposed to receive the call on Friday with a date for surgery this week. This was the message to my Dr. from the powers-that-be in the hospital system here. When it didn't come he was seriously annoyed. But we believe that this timing thing is in God's hands.
In the meantime we reached a significant milestone this weekend when we moved into our new home. This has also been a long journey of over a year. But the final result is wonderful. We are grateful for God's provision. We have a million dollar view. We didn't pay for the view, just for a small lot and a medium sized house. You are welcome to visit when you are in the area. The address is 5413 Jacobs Lane, Nanaimo. Our new phone number is (250) 585 8510. Shirley's cell is (250) 816 3335. She expects that line will be busy in the coming weeks.
In the meantime we wait.... but with God's peace that passes understanding. KEN AND SHIRLEY
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Waiting for surgery
This is our first shot at blogging. It seems like the most effective way to get news across as we go through this challenging season of our lives. I'm assuming that those of you who access this blog will know the basic situation of our cancer diagnosis and long wait for surgery.
We have been deeply moved by the number of people who have communicated with us letting us know of their concern and prayers. It is a huge encouragement to experience the love of friends at times like this.
Most of you will know that our surgery has been delayed for weeks because our BC health system is "stressed to near the breaking point," in the words of our GP. He has become a good friend and fierce advocate in our circumstances. His pressure brought word yesterday that we should expect the surgery to come late next week (between Oct. 8 and 10?).
Just a word about the type of surgery. It's called a "neck dissection". (Any similarities to your high school science lab classes are purely accurate.) The melanoma has affected an area on my right shoulder, causing a lump the size of a marble, and the lymph nodes on the right side of my neck. The surgery will excise these affected tissues.
I think that's enough of Ken pretending to be an MD for now. The irony is that, except for the lump, I have had no physical symptoms and can honestly say I'm feeling fine. There are going to be after effects of the surgery (some change of speech, loss of muscle on the right side, etc.) but putting off surgery is not an option for melanoma. So we wait, but with strong assurances that it won't be much longer. Talk to you again soon. KEN
We have been deeply moved by the number of people who have communicated with us letting us know of their concern and prayers. It is a huge encouragement to experience the love of friends at times like this.
Most of you will know that our surgery has been delayed for weeks because our BC health system is "stressed to near the breaking point," in the words of our GP. He has become a good friend and fierce advocate in our circumstances. His pressure brought word yesterday that we should expect the surgery to come late next week (between Oct. 8 and 10?).
Just a word about the type of surgery. It's called a "neck dissection". (Any similarities to your high school science lab classes are purely accurate.) The melanoma has affected an area on my right shoulder, causing a lump the size of a marble, and the lymph nodes on the right side of my neck. The surgery will excise these affected tissues.
I think that's enough of Ken pretending to be an MD for now. The irony is that, except for the lump, I have had no physical symptoms and can honestly say I'm feeling fine. There are going to be after effects of the surgery (some change of speech, loss of muscle on the right side, etc.) but putting off surgery is not an option for melanoma. So we wait, but with strong assurances that it won't be much longer. Talk to you again soon. KEN
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