Fair Days & Faithful Ways

Don't think for a moment (those of you who live locally) that all this recent sunshine was meant for you... No, it's a God-send meant to lift my spirits and remind me of God's faithfulness, awesome creativity, and penchant for the beautiful. I am blessed to live in a house on the Chesapeake Bay, and in over 11 years here, I have honestly never spent so much time gazing out at this panorama than in the days since my cancer diagnosis: the ever-changing hues and texture of the water, the soaring seagulls, the playful pelicans gliding in formation just inches above the shimmering surf, the shifting sands, the kaleidescope of colors at sunrise and sunset...* But then I realize, it is meant for ALL of us, to remind us ALL of His true nature. "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made..." (Rom 1:20)

As I have received literally hundreds of e-mails, cards, comments and well-wishes from so many people with words of encouragement and a committment to pray for me, I have begun to see how God's faithfulness is also manifest in that beautiful creation called YOU. I do not have the energy to respond to each of you, but please know that because many of you have shared a bit of your story with me in the past, I have also been praying for you, specifically in most cases for those difficulties and challenges that could zap you of spiritual, emotional and physical energy. By so doing, I have been strengthened and renewed. "...pray for one another so that you may be healed..." (James 5:16) I guess this is how it is supposed to work!

Well, we crossed the final hurdle today to prepare for an all-out attack on the metastatic melanoma. This morning, I underwent a core needle biopsy of the original tumors in my left parotid (salivary) gland. Those who have followed our story know these were thought to represent parotid tumors (either benign or malignant) and had prompted plans for parotid surgery in January. But the surgery was cancelled when it was discovered that I had some (more agressive) type cancer already spread throughout my body, ultimately determined to be malignant melanoma. This left the nagging question of what these original tumors might be. If melanoma, masquerading as parotid gland tumors, then one course of treatment would suffice; if a separate form of cancer or benign tumors, then possibly a different approach. I tolerated the procedure well and we now await the biopsy results.

I also completed a cardiac stress test (normal) and pulmonary function studies (showing mild restrictive lung capacity, likely due to the multiple metastases in my lungs). All of these have been forwarded to Dr Grosh at UVA and we will meet with him this Thursday, 2/21/08, to review and establish a firm treatment plan. At this point, he is still recommending the high-dose interleukin-2 therapy.

In all of this, we are grateful to you for caring and by so doing, reflecting His faithful ways.

Dan

*PS -- Did I mention the night-time beauty of the bay? Like the scene last night: The bright string of pearls formed by the lights of the Chesapeake Bay bridge tunnel adorning the horizon, the shimmering river of moonlight emanating from a break in the pearls (the Thimble Shoals Channel), streaming straight to our shore, and above a large pale yellow orb veiled seductively by lacey clouds that gracefully and silently slip by to reveal a stunningly star-studded sky. Linda and I are standing on the deck and hold each other a little tighter to brace against a chill in the air. Gazing up, our visible breath rises as a single offering: "Father, thank you." (Sorry, I couldn't capture any of this with a camera)