Sunday: Drive up to get outdoor nurses station for the COVID test required for my surgert with the nurses working in the rain. The nose swabbing briefly interrupted me doing deep spiritual work with a friend who has been hurt in a life event.
Monday: I will get a call somewhere in a day full of appointments letting me know what time to report on Tuesday. UPDATE: We check in at 9:45. For sake of my stomach this is not a good time. With an 8 hour no food order it will be a long time for breakfast.
Tuesday: My gall bladder extraction surgery will compete with teaching (by Zoom) my Boise Leadership Cohort and leading (by Zoom) an evening Q&R with the Leadership Development team at Reach Church, Kirkland. I am hoping the team can get a picture of my cancerous bush for me before they remove it. The surgery will be under full anesthesia out patient with no incision. Dr. Burt thinks it is early so the surgery and the chemo injection at the wound site will be the end of this cancer. UPDATE: The surgery is done and I am home, 5 1/2 hours after we left. Dr. Burt had to go deeper into the bladder wall to get all the cancer out so I had to come home what a catherter which is VERY annoying. Other than that I am doing well. Starting my day with 2 hours with the Boise Cohort before the surgery was a joy. I really shocked them when I joined after the surgery, but no longer as teacher.The is food and sleep in my near future! BTW, I did ask about the picture. I don’t yet know if he remembered to take it. Hope so. I will get the biopsy analysis when I meet with him next week.
Wednesday: A day full of faculty meetings and such. We’ll see how much I am up to doing. David (our son) and Zach will be with us for supper and bunking before their final Converge class.
Thursday: Normal activities will be spaced around a noon time MRI of my brain to see if the melanoma has metastasized there. The PET scan from a couple of weeks ago showed three metabolic hot spots (bladder, gall bladder and lungs) but it can’t differentiate cancer hot spots from thinking hot spots. So the MRI will answer Sherry’s burning question: “Does Gerry have a brain in his head??”. UPDATE: I have scientific proof – there is a brain in my head. Sherry’s follow up question came post MRI: “Is it functioning?”
Sherry will join me at 3:30 for an oncology consult with Dr. Mashru. He will give us a full layout of the melanoma in my lungs, immunology treatment with schedule and possible side effects. This will be a big relief to my “plan my life” personality! UPDATE: The MRI showed that there are two melanoma spots on my brain. This is not surprising since when melanoma moves brain, lungs and liver are common spots. They will do radiation on one of them. Immunotherapy for all the nodules, brain, lungs and the spot by the gall bladder. Schedule for treatment will be determined soon. I will do a full post after I digest the ream of information I have now. Sherry is “on pause” and I am still living God’s word to me: “this is not the end. Keep on with what you are doing.”
Friday: I will teach my all day Leaderhship Cohort theology class followed up with supper with Tim Dalrymple and Tucker Fleishman, third year cohorters flying in from Chicago and Las Vegas for their class.
Saturday: All day elder “attack” at Grace. It is really a bi-annual major strategic planning session.
Such an honor to go before the Throne of Grace for you, Gerry! For so many years, you have stood in the gap for me, and I am thankful that I can do this for you. While you need to keep on keeping on, also give yourself the space in which to heal. Praying for divine healing for you, and peace for Sherry and the rest of your family. He’s got this!
Thank you, Bonnie. What an encouragement this is, my friend.
Praying right now this day, a day known in eternity.
So grateful we can reach up to our Father who on His throne picks us up and puts us on His shoulders – Psalm 28. “Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place…Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
You need to know that Grace Church, SW 12th and Clay, dear Pastor Ken G. prays publicly for you each week.
You and Sherry are loved in Heaven and on earth!
Thank you so much, Kate! What a gift to us
Does Gerry have a brain in his head? Tell them they need the wide angle lens to be able to get it all. Praying for you as you go through this.
There is a brain! I have scientific proof!
Our staff is praying for you Gerry. We are praying for comfort and strength for you, Sherry and your loved ones.- Nicole
I love you! I am praying for you! May Jesus continue to guide and heal and use you.
Thank you, Bekah. I receive your love and prayers joyfully!
Didn’t see this till Tuesday afternoon. Have been praying for you all and how the surgery went well. Thinking of you a lot.
thank you Dean
We read your week schedule and Janet replied, “Gerry doesn’t have time for cancer.” We prayed off and on today for the gall bladder procedure and will continue to pray for immunotherapy plans. I spent a weekend with Tim Dalrymple a few years ago before he was CT. His Polymath company was advising FamilyLife on their new marriage conference curriculum. I was in the early stages of that discussion. I didn’t know he was in your cohort.
There are two Tim Dalrymple’s. One is now editor of CT. The other ia a pastor, now at Harvest in Chicago and my student.
Interesting. Well, don’t tell him I said hello. Praying for you.
Praying for surgery and recovery! Thankful for your strong testimony of resting in Christ as He walks this journey with you and Sherry
Thank you, Judi
Hi Gerry,
I wasn’t aware of any of this until just now. I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this ordeal. Josie and I will be lifting you before the Lord. There is nothing he can’t do!
Kerry
Thank you, Kerry & Josie. It is super to walk through this as part of the body of Christ
I love ” So the MRI will answer Sherry’s burning question: “Does Gerry have a brain in his head??”.” A funny person will stay true to who he is. I think there is a brain in there somewhere.. lol. With all seriousness, that is a full schedule indeed, I am thankful you have the distraction but also please take time to sleep as well.
I always sleep as long as possible. I never set an alarm . . . and sometimes faculty meetings are good places to catch a short nap!
I understand that keeping busy is better than stewing, but do give yourself a break and time to heal. I’m praying for you in my way, and my thoughts are with you often.
Thank you, Nancy. I get to do what I love but I will focus on recovering rather than keeping busy.
Praying fir you and Sherry. Trusting God always!
Thank you, Sharon. It is great to have a LONG time friend standing with us
Sounds like a REALLY full schedule. Allow yourself some Grace if everything on your list doesn’t get accomplished. Praying Gerry for all great results! Thank you for bringing us along on your journey.
Thank you, Mary. I love what I do and there is a lot to love. We’ll see what gets done
I completely agree with Mary. You are in my “healing prayer circle” and I’m praying I can take you off it soon! 🙏❤️
Thank you both! Wonderful to have you on our team
Praying for you and Sherry this week, dear friend! Praying for strength and His amazing presence full of peace to surround you. -Taly
Thank you so much, Taly!! I so deeply appreciate the prayers of your worshipful heart, deep friend