Lymph Journal # 71 It has been a while.

8/18/2012

It has ben a while since the last update.  I’ve been processing on many different levels where I am at right now.  I am not finished yet but the news is pretty good.  Following the results of a CT scan and a PET scan there seems to be little or, more likely, no evidence of any remaining lymphoma in my system.  With the particular variety of the disease and the course of my treatment and response there is an about 90% chance that I am done with it. The Freiburg oncologist used the “cure” word.  I know there is not a cancer patient in the world who doesn’t expect to be “looking over their shoulder” over the for-seeable future for some kind of recurrence or new form of malignancy but the doc seemed reasonably confident that if I was to see a relapse it would be:

a) within the next two years as opposed to five

b) not likely (recall the 90% cure rate reference)

c) bad news if it did recur – glad it’s unlikely!

I feel great.  My strength is good.  My hair is roaring back in both the desired and undesired regions of middle age maleness.  My appetite is good.  My eagerness to get back into the classroom is high.

I continue to remain healthy while still taking a few prophylactic anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and other anti-crud drugs.  Once a month I’m getting a boost of immunoglobulin intravenously (can’t say goodbye to the chemo-lounge quite yet). 

And, like I said, I’ve been processing and it’s not done yet.  I’m scheduled to speak at BFCF (Black Forest Christian Fellowship) on September 16.  I’m sure I won’t have finished the processing yet but I’ll post my sermon notes and give a link to the actual audio (I have no idea if they’ll actually have the same content – remains to be seen).

In other news, English Camp season is drawing to a close as the last European camp in Belarus is underway.  God has done amazing things through the camps in Portugal (a second camp is desired next year), Germany, Switzerland, Moldova and, as mentioned, Belarus.  Diane had some great help here locally and the national and North American staffers have been fantastic. 

Swiss camp staff saying their goodbyes - we drove a bunch to the airport

EC5 staff hailing from WKBC & Faith Bible in RI

Our local camp coordinators and helper at a thank you dinner at our house

Activities co-coordintor for EC5 - our Carl - directing dodgeball

Dodgeball!

Diane and I took a holiday – by ourselves for the first time in five years.  We found an appropriate place by searching Booking.com that met our requirements.  It had to be reasonably inexpensive with free parking, a room balcony (and view) and within about a four-hour drive time.  We found it in the mountains of Austria just under four hours from Kandern and it included half-board (breakfast and supper).  We read, hiked in the mountains, swam in alpine lakes, celebrated life and just plain rested for about five days.  Wonderful – maybe we won’t wait five years to do it again.

Innsbruck Brucke (bridge)

Out hotel (center, red roof)

Our first hike

View from our balcony

Cooling off her feet

Sunset balcony view

A balcony and a Kindle - not bad!

Russ swimming in the Blindsee (Blind Lake in English)

Diane afloat in the Blindsee

The following verses have been at the bottom of the Word doc in which I keep a record of my blog posts since early on.  They have spoken to me throughout and continue to do so.  Put yourself in my place and read them – I think you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Isaiah 40: 21-22, 27-31

Do you not know? Have you not heard? 
Has it not been told you from the beginning? 
Have you not understood since the earth was founded? 
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, 
and its people are like grasshoppers. 
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, 
and spreads them out like a tent to live in… Why do you complain, Jacob? 
Why do you say, Israel, 
“My way is hidden from the LORD; 
my cause is disregarded by my God”? 
Do you not know? 
   Have you not heard? 
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 
He gives strength to the weary 
and increases the power of the weak. 
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Well, don’t you know, haven’t you heard – I do and I have!