It has been awhile since I last wrote on this blog – I think I took the whole month of June off in order to stick it to the man (just kidding). I would like to apologize to those who have made it a habit of checking the blog. Here are some reasons why I haven’t posted: we moved in the last month – and I put myself in charge of most of the moving; been taking care of Emma on a daily basis – she doesn’t let me sit at the computer for hours on end and develop really smart thoughts; I am sick and still healing from cancer; I have been trying to help establish a new ministry here in Galveston – Galveston Urban Ministries; etc. I am not sure if any of them are good excuses, but there you have it.
So here is the quick update – I am doing good. I think last you heard I went to the doctor’s and he reduced the dosage of the chemo in order that I would not have the side effects that I was having – basically feeling lousy 3 weeks out of the month. Amazingly enough, that has worked for the last two months – the chemo continues to kill cancer cells and I don’t feel like a train hits me most of the time. I have been through 14 rounds of chemo, round 15 starts Thursday night. I had a MRI and doctor’s appointment last week. The nurse practicioner showed me on the MRI that as far as they can see with that technology, there was no blood going into the tumor. That means to some extent, the tumor is not growing anymore. That does not mean that the tumor is dead or gone, just that we are on the right path. So that was real good news to hear. I had her repeat it a couple of times in order that I heard it correctly. Four more rounds of chemo to keep killing cancer cells and then we go from there.
Other quick thoughts – I have been seriously considering shutting this blog down. I have been humbled to have so many people following my journey with prayer, thoughts and love. I have heard that some others have gained courage and strength through what I have been through, but I don’t like being the center of attention. The blog allows you to know a lot more about me than I know about you – probably because I have shared way too much about the journey and my thoughts. I think I would rather have more even interactions and friendships. So, what I think I will do in a couple of weeks is put any brain cancer updates on the blog that Jenn and I have about ministry and life in Galveston (timandjenn.wordpress.com). Until then, I will share some thoughts about what I have learned in the last 18 months.
Grace and peace!
Tim – Still praying for you and your young family on the nights that I lay awake.
Hang in there.
Hey Tim,
Shut down? Really? How about just an update every 30 days, then 60 days for a gradual weaning process?…………Hope round 15 went well with no trains involved.
Hugs and prayers.
c