WHAT A DAY BRINGS
“This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
It has become such a familiar verse that it loses it’s impact. Robert Schuller does a nice job of dramatic embellishment. It’s a great verse to speak out loud every day, with the appropriate emphases.
If this were a daily blog, this day (Nov. 27) would be day number 24 since checking into hospital on the 2nd for surgery on the 3rd. Who knew? First we were told 2 days post-op. Then a week. Now here we are, 3 weeks and counting. My blogs have diminished in the last 2 weeks because the waiting has become harder.
Now is the time to bring you up to date. There have been a total of 4 surgeries in this journey. The last 3 were “search and repair” operations to confirm that the initial big hit did the job and that the healing was progressing as per expectations. Complications have been found. The knitting together of tissue has been slower than expected and some repair (revisiting the wound) has been necessary.
But it was not until today that we got the final pathology report as to the results of the surgery. We have been told up to this point that, as far as could be seen from the normal tests, they “got it all”. What we heard just yesterday is that there is another level (microscopic) of testing the results of which would be known today.
“This is the day” has taken on a whole new meaning. The Dr.’s report was “the pathology report was not good. We didn’t get it all.” He gave us a thorough review of the entire situation. The details are too technical to get into here. “Not good” says enough. Melanoma is a nasty, unpredictable business.
This is a very critical weekend for the Birches. Your prayers will be more needed than ever. We will be praying and discussing and calling out to the Lord for His strength and direction. We have a couple of options, one being another surgery to push back the margins of the first surgery and complete the original plan to get it all.
We continue to stand in faith that God is with us and He is able to do all that He has promised. Thank you for standing with us one more time. God bless.
KEN AND SHIRLEY
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
THE WAY FORWARD
So we’ve done the waiting room. I’m still in the recovery room but I’m more than ready to move on. In my mind I’m out-a-here. So it’s onward and upward. I’m going to keep blogging the journey. You’re welcome to join me. In fact, I’d be honored if you do.
One of the huge lessons which I have (re)learned along the way is about the words we say and the way we speak. There’s nothing quite like being in a helpless position, your life in the hands of other people, and then listen to what those people are saying about you. Sometimes they know you can hear, other times not. A few words (“looks good”, “maybe the day after tomorrow…”, “still some areas of concern there”, “that was major” “he’ll be fine’, etc.) Like pebbles of gold, or crushing boulders.
Of course, most words come to us in more mundane situations of daily speech. Christians have been schooled by James about the power of the tongue to build up or tear down. Always with the potential to change our lives for better or worse.
Our first meeting with a cancer surgeon was in August when the C word was fully on the table. The dear man, probably the most respected ENT surgeon in the city, said “before we get into this, you know this is melanoma. You’re not going to beat this. It’s going to beat you.” Yes, we knew the nasty nature of the disease and the real odds of winning (or not) this fight from reading the literature. But talk about being hit by a boulder! The good Dr. has obviously seen hundreds of people like us and that had deeply affected his spirit and outlook. Or maybe he was just having a bad day.
Thank God for who He Is, and what He does, and what He has promised!! Our faith held us strong. It has smashed the boulder of doubt and defeat! For reasons which God orchestrated our case was transferred to two younger doctors, an ENT cancer surgeon and a plastic surgeon. I don’t think either of these men are believers but we’re working on that. Just as important, however, is that they have a whole different attitude to the challenge of melanoma. They have a vision of hope and a future for our situation (sound familiar?). And everything we see tells us they do excellent work.
I have a follow up word to this observation/lesson about encouraging words. But that’s for the next time as we take the steps forward from here. Thanks for being there.
KEN AND SHIRLEY
One of the huge lessons which I have (re)learned along the way is about the words we say and the way we speak. There’s nothing quite like being in a helpless position, your life in the hands of other people, and then listen to what those people are saying about you. Sometimes they know you can hear, other times not. A few words (“looks good”, “maybe the day after tomorrow…”, “still some areas of concern there”, “that was major” “he’ll be fine’, etc.) Like pebbles of gold, or crushing boulders.
Of course, most words come to us in more mundane situations of daily speech. Christians have been schooled by James about the power of the tongue to build up or tear down. Always with the potential to change our lives for better or worse.
Our first meeting with a cancer surgeon was in August when the C word was fully on the table. The dear man, probably the most respected ENT surgeon in the city, said “before we get into this, you know this is melanoma. You’re not going to beat this. It’s going to beat you.” Yes, we knew the nasty nature of the disease and the real odds of winning (or not) this fight from reading the literature. But talk about being hit by a boulder! The good Dr. has obviously seen hundreds of people like us and that had deeply affected his spirit and outlook. Or maybe he was just having a bad day.
Thank God for who He Is, and what He does, and what He has promised!! Our faith held us strong. It has smashed the boulder of doubt and defeat! For reasons which God orchestrated our case was transferred to two younger doctors, an ENT cancer surgeon and a plastic surgeon. I don’t think either of these men are believers but we’re working on that. Just as important, however, is that they have a whole different attitude to the challenge of melanoma. They have a vision of hope and a future for our situation (sound familiar?). And everything we see tells us they do excellent work.
I have a follow up word to this observation/lesson about encouraging words. But that’s for the next time as we take the steps forward from here. Thanks for being there.
KEN AND SHIRLEY
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
VIEW FROM THE RECOVERY ROOM Part IV
“When life gives you lemons, make hospital lemon pudding.” Or your wife can sneak our and get Swiss Chalet lemon pie.
And now for today’s lemon concoction. My last ‘view” was just before the second surgery. The report was “success’ (the surgeon said he cleared out the infections which landed in a couple of places in the surgical wound). He planned to go back into to look at the site on Thursday (today) and do a final check and put the final bit of skin graft on.
More lemons. After another look today he said “I can’t be absolutely confident yet. So we did some more tweaking and I will do that final work in two days.”
At the end of the journey, you’re always happy your surgeon is a perfectionist. Right?
So we have yet more days to work on lemon recipes.
In the meantime I have work to do. I have been commissioned by a group of pastors in Kenya to write a book teaching the biblical of view of sexuality geared towards high school students. (When I say “commissioned”, this is not a $$ deal to support time in an ivory tower (or hospital room.) This is “Brother Ken, we know you can do this and Canada will support you…”
In fact, however, teenage sexual understanding and behavior is a very huge problem and need in Kenya society right now and it seems that God has given me this unexpected side track to do this work. I have co-opted the help of an excellent Kenyan Psychologist and Counselor, Dr. Gladys Mwiti, to advise me in the work,
That’s the latest for now. The Bible says “GOD works all things together for our good…” Many of you have reminded us of that in your words of encouragement.. We take that to mean God gives the makings of lemonade. Our part is to come up with the recipes.. Somewhere in our future there’s a knockout lemon soufflé. I believe it. Blessings. KEN AND SHIRLEY.
And now for today’s lemon concoction. My last ‘view” was just before the second surgery. The report was “success’ (the surgeon said he cleared out the infections which landed in a couple of places in the surgical wound). He planned to go back into to look at the site on Thursday (today) and do a final check and put the final bit of skin graft on.
More lemons. After another look today he said “I can’t be absolutely confident yet. So we did some more tweaking and I will do that final work in two days.”
At the end of the journey, you’re always happy your surgeon is a perfectionist. Right?
So we have yet more days to work on lemon recipes.
In the meantime I have work to do. I have been commissioned by a group of pastors in Kenya to write a book teaching the biblical of view of sexuality geared towards high school students. (When I say “commissioned”, this is not a $$ deal to support time in an ivory tower (or hospital room.) This is “Brother Ken, we know you can do this and Canada will support you…”
In fact, however, teenage sexual understanding and behavior is a very huge problem and need in Kenya society right now and it seems that God has given me this unexpected side track to do this work. I have co-opted the help of an excellent Kenyan Psychologist and Counselor, Dr. Gladys Mwiti, to advise me in the work,
That’s the latest for now. The Bible says “GOD works all things together for our good…” Many of you have reminded us of that in your words of encouragement.. We take that to mean God gives the makings of lemonade. Our part is to come up with the recipes.. Somewhere in our future there’s a knockout lemon soufflé. I believe it. Blessings. KEN AND SHIRLEY.
Monday, November 16, 2009
View From the Recovery Room (Road) - Part III
Sunday night, Nov. 15/09
Dear Family and Friends:
The Birch hotwire has been dead for the last few days for reasons I’ll share below.
I’m not sure where each of you will be in the communication loop, but I will start with last Tuesday (the 10th). I was discharged from hospital exactly one week after the 8 hour surgery. I was massively taped up in the back and shoulder and somewhat doped up from meds but all agreed I was fine to return home for recovery with community nursing coming in each day to change the dressings, etc. Of course, hovering over all was the Sister Superior Shirley, just a little lower than the angels. And above all else, our Heavenly Father was in the Executive Director’s chair.
I was scheduled to return to the hospital on Friday for a close up inspection by the Dr. and experts here. We left Nanaimo at 10 a.m. planning on 4 to 6 hours before retreating to our nest on the hills overlooking the Strait of Georgia.
Welllll… it appears a bump in the road had risen up. The clinic nurse took one look at the site and said “I think the Dr. should have a look at this.” He was there in 5 minutes… so much for a short visit to Victoria. They re-admitted me Friday afternoon with the plan that I would go back into surgery as soon as possible ‘to clean this thing up’ and here we are, Sunday night. Finally, now, they are definite – the surgery will be first thing tomorrow a.m. Sounds like fairly’routine’ surgery to deal with infection. But they will probably keep me here until at least Friday to keep a close watch.
So there you have it. Having lived in Africa for 10 years I’m used to bumps in the road. But it’s a set-back none-the-less and we’ve had our down moments. We continue the feel the need for prayer just as much as we have all along this journey. And dozens of you have told us “we are with you”.. Thank you and God bless you.
KEN AND SHIRLEY
Dear Family and Friends:
The Birch hotwire has been dead for the last few days for reasons I’ll share below.
I’m not sure where each of you will be in the communication loop, but I will start with last Tuesday (the 10th). I was discharged from hospital exactly one week after the 8 hour surgery. I was massively taped up in the back and shoulder and somewhat doped up from meds but all agreed I was fine to return home for recovery with community nursing coming in each day to change the dressings, etc. Of course, hovering over all was the Sister Superior Shirley, just a little lower than the angels. And above all else, our Heavenly Father was in the Executive Director’s chair.
I was scheduled to return to the hospital on Friday for a close up inspection by the Dr. and experts here. We left Nanaimo at 10 a.m. planning on 4 to 6 hours before retreating to our nest on the hills overlooking the Strait of Georgia.
Welllll… it appears a bump in the road had risen up. The clinic nurse took one look at the site and said “I think the Dr. should have a look at this.” He was there in 5 minutes… so much for a short visit to Victoria. They re-admitted me Friday afternoon with the plan that I would go back into surgery as soon as possible ‘to clean this thing up’ and here we are, Sunday night. Finally, now, they are definite – the surgery will be first thing tomorrow a.m. Sounds like fairly’routine’ surgery to deal with infection. But they will probably keep me here until at least Friday to keep a close watch.
So there you have it. Having lived in Africa for 10 years I’m used to bumps in the road. But it’s a set-back none-the-less and we’ve had our down moments. We continue the feel the need for prayer just as much as we have all along this journey. And dozens of you have told us “we are with you”.. Thank you and God bless you.
KEN AND SHIRLEY
Monday, November 9, 2009
VIEW FROM THE RECOVERY ROOM - Part II
THINGS I DON'T DESERVE
It was a tough day towards the end of last week. A lot of post-operative pain, all predictable but still no fun to go through. During that day a good friend came by to visit. It was obvious he was having trouble sorting out in his mind what I was going through. “You don’t deserve this” he said. And then he recounted a number of things the Lord had helped us to do in our life and ministry. It was a classic attempt to develop a balance sheet of accomplishments only to find at the end it didn’t add up. In his mind I should have ended up on the plus side of the ledger, not fighting cancer.
It’s great to have fans – people who think you are good stuff and cheer for you along the way. The problem is that the perspective of fans is usually unbalanced. Remember, the root word of fan is fanatic.
A very big truth of the Bible, repeated many times, is that God does not deal with us according to what we deserve but “according to His mercy”. The word is “grace”. It’s a critical difference of perspective. Mankind is by nature self-centered. We start the ‘what I deserve’ column focusing on our positive qualities and accomplishments. Grace focuses on the love of God which covers our sin and then showers us with His favor.
In response my heart is lifted up with worship and thanksgiving. A thankful heart beings with an awareness of what I don’t deserve.
Here are some things that I don’t deserve:
- to see the light of this new day with its blessings and opportunities,
- to live in a great country like Canada with its freedoms and privileges,
- to be married to a beautiful and loving wife for 43 years (don’t get me started…),
- to have 2 loving and caring children who have given us 4 great grandkids,
- to have lived 66 years with hardly a day of sickness.
- to have a large and wonderful family of Christian friends in the churches I serve, and have served, who are praying fervently for me,
- to have a comfortable home to live in with a fantastic view of the ocean,
- to have a place of service waiting for me when I recover which allows me to fulfill the calling of God upon my life to serve Him and people.
But in fact I HAVE ALL OF THESE AND MORE because of God’s grace.
I’m sure you understand that part of this perspective comes from living among people, most of whom live on less than $1 a day, eat one meal per day (sometimes with meat), have no access to health care, are vulnerable to wars, famine and disease. I pray that my life will be a constant testimony of thankfulness to the God of all grace.
KEN
It was a tough day towards the end of last week. A lot of post-operative pain, all predictable but still no fun to go through. During that day a good friend came by to visit. It was obvious he was having trouble sorting out in his mind what I was going through. “You don’t deserve this” he said. And then he recounted a number of things the Lord had helped us to do in our life and ministry. It was a classic attempt to develop a balance sheet of accomplishments only to find at the end it didn’t add up. In his mind I should have ended up on the plus side of the ledger, not fighting cancer.
It’s great to have fans – people who think you are good stuff and cheer for you along the way. The problem is that the perspective of fans is usually unbalanced. Remember, the root word of fan is fanatic.
A very big truth of the Bible, repeated many times, is that God does not deal with us according to what we deserve but “according to His mercy”. The word is “grace”. It’s a critical difference of perspective. Mankind is by nature self-centered. We start the ‘what I deserve’ column focusing on our positive qualities and accomplishments. Grace focuses on the love of God which covers our sin and then showers us with His favor.
In response my heart is lifted up with worship and thanksgiving. A thankful heart beings with an awareness of what I don’t deserve.
Here are some things that I don’t deserve:
- to see the light of this new day with its blessings and opportunities,
- to live in a great country like Canada with its freedoms and privileges,
- to be married to a beautiful and loving wife for 43 years (don’t get me started…),
- to have 2 loving and caring children who have given us 4 great grandkids,
- to have lived 66 years with hardly a day of sickness.
- to have a large and wonderful family of Christian friends in the churches I serve, and have served, who are praying fervently for me,
- to have a comfortable home to live in with a fantastic view of the ocean,
- to have a place of service waiting for me when I recover which allows me to fulfill the calling of God upon my life to serve Him and people.
But in fact I HAVE ALL OF THESE AND MORE because of God’s grace.
I’m sure you understand that part of this perspective comes from living among people, most of whom live on less than $1 a day, eat one meal per day (sometimes with meat), have no access to health care, are vulnerable to wars, famine and disease. I pray that my life will be a constant testimony of thankfulness to the God of all grace.
KEN
Saturday, November 7, 2009
VIEW FROM THE RECOVERY ROOM
Greetings from the Recovery Room. I should wait another day before writing to clear my brain. But I have an irrepressible compulsion to communicate good news. The fog in my head won’t let me be clever or witty in this report. But there is wonderful good news from the ‘theatre’, as the post-colonial Africans refer to the OR. The moment the surgeon saw Shirley after the operation he uttered those great words “we believe we got it all!”
I’ve only been under a general anaesthetic once before in my life, and only briefly so I can’t tell you what happened during those 8 hours (except the Maple Leafs lost again.) Seriously, I have tried to explain to people what happened as I regained consciousness. It was an experience of the presence of Jesus like I’ve never had before. There was a complete hour where they left me alone and I just waited in the presence of God. The theologians call it the experience of the ‘ineffable’ – can’t be put into words.
There have been some pretty intense periods of pain since then. But nothing beyond what God has helped me to bear. Shirley tells me the incision which they had to do to make the skin graft is about a foot long,,, and deep… well let’s not go there. I won’t go into the gory details. But the healing is going well through the first critical days. Liter after liter of drainage… well, let’s not go there either. All I need to say here is that I am so incredibly glad to be alive, in the hands of our loving God, expert surgeons and care-givers and surrounded by not just a heavenly host of well wishers but an EARTHLY host as well. I was told there might be some significant change in my physical appearance after this. I don’t think that will be the case (no nips or tucks from the plastic surgeon) but you can be sure there’s a new man on the inside.
Must close for now. They are saying I will be in hospital until at least next Tuesday. More views to come from the recovery room. Yours in Christ’s love and care.
KEN AND SHIRLEY
I’ve only been under a general anaesthetic once before in my life, and only briefly so I can’t tell you what happened during those 8 hours (except the Maple Leafs lost again.) Seriously, I have tried to explain to people what happened as I regained consciousness. It was an experience of the presence of Jesus like I’ve never had before. There was a complete hour where they left me alone and I just waited in the presence of God. The theologians call it the experience of the ‘ineffable’ – can’t be put into words.
There have been some pretty intense periods of pain since then. But nothing beyond what God has helped me to bear. Shirley tells me the incision which they had to do to make the skin graft is about a foot long,,, and deep… well let’s not go there. I won’t go into the gory details. But the healing is going well through the first critical days. Liter after liter of drainage… well, let’s not go there either. All I need to say here is that I am so incredibly glad to be alive, in the hands of our loving God, expert surgeons and care-givers and surrounded by not just a heavenly host of well wishers but an EARTHLY host as well. I was told there might be some significant change in my physical appearance after this. I don’t think that will be the case (no nips or tucks from the plastic surgeon) but you can be sure there’s a new man on the inside.
Must close for now. They are saying I will be in hospital until at least next Tuesday. More views to come from the recovery room. Yours in Christ’s love and care.
KEN AND SHIRLEY
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