Today, we completed the 4th chemotherapy treatment and 17th radiation session! It was a very long day, and I slept a lot, which is a bit frustrating. After the morning blood work, which my numbers are still good, but changing significantly due to the quantity of medications, my good friend Chuck Coit (President of One Stop Pharmacy) visited me at the Florida Cancer Institute in between procedures. He personally delivered several much-needed medications to help with my mouth, throat, and skin. The custom-formulated skin cream is called Res-Q. It feels great and should help reduce the effects of the radiation burns on my skin better than the prescribed Biafine due to its superior ingredients. Our tradition after chemo has been an early dinner at a great sushi restaurant. My oncologist advised me not to eat raw fish due to my compromised immune system. We compromised and ordered all cooked sushi, miso soup, and ginger salad.
We’ve also decided that since my weight is stable and my swallowing is good, we should postpone the feeding tube (and perhaps skip it; that’s a prayer request, friends). Another surgery and hospital stay is very unappealing to me.
My good friend Marty Morris emailed me this verse: “The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17
The Lord has convinced me by His Word that I will be healed! I don’t know when, but I have confidence that He will. Until then, we’ll continue to push through with the treatments and celebrate when we hear the words “You are cancer free!” I’ve also been reading a book that another friend and mentor, Dave Dunkel, gave me recently, Andrew Murray’s book Spiritual Healing.
Business at Digital Lightbridge is good, and my incredible team, board of directors, and new president, Ron Altman, are providing great value to our clients. Most days, I work about six hours before I leave for treatments. The new projects and ministry initiatives that we are managing are very exciting.
Today, Chandler received his last progress report for eighth grade (all A’s & B’s!). Mitch is doing great and overcame his fear of roller coasters this weekend at Busch Gardens. Thank you to those who’ve been praying that he would become less fearful. I can already see that his confidence is better. Our three-year-old foster son has a parental visit soon. I ask for you to pray for his protection. The visits usually result in regressive behavior.
Thanks for the encouragement, dear friends! I cherish your comments, notes, tweets, status updates, and support! Love Rich
Rich…you are amazing! You are an inspiration to all of us! I am honored to be a part of DLB and more importantly I am grateful to have you and Lisa as such wonderful friends!
Thanks for being such an important and trusted part of our lives for so long!
The girls and I just spent some time in prayer for you tonight. BTW, I’m feeling a little sneaky again. We’ll see what I round up. 🙂
Hugs!
Thanks for the prayer support! We hope to see you soon! Love Rich
Rich,
Yeah! on almost 1/2 through, yeah! on compound pharmacists (they ROCK), sleep lets the body heal…..so, yeah! even if you don’t like it ;/
Tisk tisk on the sushi, even cooked, there is a risk of cross contaimination, but I suppose a day full of radiation and chemo should be able to keep a few little bugs at bay.
Press on.
Cheers,
Sandra
Rich,
I want you to know that you are absolutely inspirational. I pray daily for your well being and for your entire family. May God Bless each of you! Love ya!
Roy
Rich,
It is so encouraging to see the way everyone is stepping up to help you during this challenge. Since I have known you, it was always the other way around- you stepping up to help and minister to people in need. Now, your heart is being returned to you in so many ways. It is a beautiful thing to see – the helper being offered unconditional help in his time of need. You are deeply loved by so many people and there are prayers going up for you around the clock. You say, ” The Lord has convinced me by His Word that I will be healed.” There is no disease under His sky that can stand up against this pronouncement of true faith! Speak it, say it, live it! We are all right here with you and Lisa and the children, encouraged by your perserverence, inspired by your faith.
Thankyou for sharing your thoughts with us Rich. I want you to know that just through your words, I can feel the love that surrounds you. When you are blessed with love, support, and deep faith, you can conquer all. You and your family are in my daily prayers Rich.
Hi Rich,
Just to let you know, your entire NY and NC kin are keeping up with your incredible journey – you’re quite a writer! We look forward to reading your latest posts – your words are an inspiration, you’ll be healed on just your upbeat attitude and faith. Press on Cousin, you are always in our thoughts.
Rich,
Missed you at men’s group this morning. You are in our prayers always. Hang in there and rest when you need to. That’s when your body heals itself. When you hear “You are cancer free!!” all the time spent resting will be worth it. We love you and we know that God is faithful and has a special plan for you.
Jerry