Today, I received the first of forty radiation treatments. The staff at the Florida Cancer Institute are incredibly nice. The experience of being bolted to a narrow table by my face was… scary. This treatment was longer than the successive ones, as they needed to shoot some x-rays and consult with a medical oncologist. The technicians were pleased with the initial procedure.
Tomorrow, morning we start chemotherapy at 8:45am. It’s expected to last five to six hours. At 2:15pm, I receive the second radiation treatment.
Thanks for the prayer support. I appreciate the cards and notes of encouragement. I apologize for not being able to follow up with everyone directly. You are a huge part of my care team. Thank you!
Here are a few photos taken today.
Press on, dear friends. Rich
You are truly an inspiration Rich! Praying for you… I love you!
We’re so glad everything went as good as it could on your first day. We’ll be lifting you and Lisa up tomorrow during the long stretch of treatments. Thank you for your example of bravery and your faith like potatoes! 🙂
Rich and Lisa,
We are following and praying along the way with you. Christ looks good on you, stay strong in Him. The Lord is our shelter in every pressing situation.
We will continue to pray for you this day.
Love, Keith and Linda
Rich, the photos look pretty scary….But it is good that we live in a land that has all this medical technology available to us.
Psalm 27: 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Press on into this fight brother with all you have, all He is going to give you, knowing that the battle is won by Christ’s blood. See you soon, Marty
Hey, Rich We have been praying for you and your family. I just read your blog that was forwarded to me by Joan Lyons, who is in my prayer group at Jasmine. Just after that I was reading in 2 Corinthians, and thought these verses might give you some encouragement.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 ESV
With love and prayer,
Carolyn Touchton
Hi Rich,
Doug Walters sent a prayer request to us for you, and you can be assured that the staff and volunteers of this ministry will lift you up to the Lord daily. Your faith is inspiring…to each of us who feel overwhelmed by our own issues of health or family crises. God bless you!
Keep on Keeping on Rich, I am thinking of you.
“fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, Ge 26:24 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace, …..be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 …enjoy peace, and fear not for I am with you even until the end of the world.
I pray that you find comfort in these words and know our Precious Creator is with you at all times. May be cuddle you and sings songs over you. You’re in my prayers and thoughts always, Shirley Byrd (Jennifer’s mother)
Hello Rich,
I hope you and your family are doing well! Lisa has commented a few times on my blog (www.marksmelon.com)… I initially went to Mease Dunedin, but they referred me to Moffitt Cancer Center. I get my radiation treatments just off of McMullen Booth Road at Countryside Cancer Center.
I’m jealous ( 🙂 ) of the detailed radiation pictures you were able to take. They will certainly help other patents! You are another inspiration to post about your disease!
Best of luck in your future treatments and recovery!
-Mark