Greetings Ya’ll...We know it's been since mid-August last year that I was diagnosed with cancer again and we haven't shared much with the masses, but wanted you all to know that God has slowed our journey down as we have been on a path of searching and trusting in Him.
So a quick recap...We had a busy summer last year as I returned from my unaccompanied tour last year in June just in time for Megan’s birthday. We were able to enjoy some great time together reuniting as a family here in DC, down at the beach and back in Ohio. Then in early August we came back to DC to finalize our anticipated move and the logistics of getting to Abu Dhabi, UAE. During that time, the medical office needed some further testing before I could be cleared. In routine testing, they discovered a small ulcer in my stomach. The Dr. fixed it and biopsied, though he didn’t seem concerned….It was that dreaded phone call that I received the next day that would dramatically change our course.
The last six months have included countless days in Dr’s appts, getting more tests, seeking additional opinions and researching the battle in front of me. That battle is stage two signet ring cell carcinoma gastric cancer. One of the most deadly and aggressive cancers out there. However, having been through this twice before, we knew what we had to do. After some additional tests and a less than favorable treatment plan presented to us, we thought we had limited options. My team at the University of Maryland didn’t recommend surgery and wasn’t able to offer anything other than a standard regimen of chemo, followed by a chemo/radiation session. Since the cancer has not metastasized, there are few options at this point. Though Megan and I didn’t feel comfortable, we were at least going to get started on treatment until we could figure it all out. Then by the providence of God, he stopped that path and sent us back to the drawing board.
As we were literally headed to the hospital to get a port placed in order to start treatment, we realized after a call to the nurse that I hadn’t gotten the required blood work in prep and wouldn’t be able insert the port. Megan and I looked at each other at that moment and said should we be doing this? We both felt God telling us to slow down and trust in Him….That was late-September….The previous month had been a crazy four weeks trying to figure out life here in Maryland again, since we knew we wouldn’t be able to move overseas after the diagnosis, we had no house, no cars, no forethought on where we might settle or what life would look like back in America. Because we were so preoccupied in getting settled and kids in school, we didn’t have as much time as we hoped to get a treatment plan with which we felt comfortable. So in the interim, we had been able to get with a naturopath out of Seattle recommended by Believe Big and start some alternative options to get my body back in line. Still not knowing what a traditional treatment plan might look like, we knew we needed to seek out a couple more opinions.
Through a referral to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Megan and I went in thinking they might be able to offer some chemo trials that others weren’t able. What we walked away with from that first meeting was a recommendation to go straight to surgery. We really did dismiss it at first, given my thoracic surgeron’s strong recommendation against surgery this time based on my previous surgery eight years ago. However, each time we tried to say surgery really wasn’t an option, God continued to point us back to it. Though NIH recommended surgery, they referred me to have it done by a Dr. in New York City at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell.
So after a number of consults and tests to make sure I was still a surgical candidate, here we are. Surgery is set for next Wednesday 26 February. This is definitely not the place I thought I would be at, but given what I am facing, this high risk/high reward option is where Megan and I feel at peace with. High risk because it’s pretty much the same surgery I underwent eight years ago, but in this case they will use my colon as the new esophagus/stomach. They will be removing the stomach in its entirety and make the colon as the new stomach and esophageal tube. Additionally, they will have to work through and around all the scar tissue and disruptions from the last surgery. High reward because, by God’s grace we were able to discover it as stage 2, and the hope is that it can be removed completely with clean margins. This is a far superior option to chemo, as chemo has such a low success rate to put it in complete remission.
Through these last six months, just like my bout with esophageal cancer, God is answering our prayers and providing a path through this….So early on during prayer and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance Philippians 1:12-21 has resonated time and time again.
“12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
What the apostle Paul says here is so relevant to my situation. God has already given me an additional eight years that statistics and Dr’s said wasn’t likely. So here I stand against all odds, and though only God knows how this turns out, I rest confidently that my trials have brought glory to Him. So just like the scripture we stood on during the last cancer in Romans 2:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” He’s in control.
We can’t you all enough thus far for the prayers for clarity of treatment, the outpouring of financial support, and help with details of having surgery out of state. We are overwhelmed and undeserving of the blessings that have been bestowed on our family. Now that our children are older, it’s been a living testament that God will provide in so many different ways and we just need to trust in His goodness. So as we get the final logistics set for next week, we ask that you hold our family up in your prayers. Since I will likely be in the hospital for at least 3 weeks with Megan by my side, we are blessed by family coming to spend time with the kids so their life remains relatively disrupted. Please pray for the surgery, the doctors, the recovery, and for the kids to manage with mom and dad away. More to come after surgery. Thank you so much for all that you have done and thanks in advance for your fervent prayers through next Wednesday and beyond.
God Bless and stay tuned.
Jason
