Dan

One Last Radiation Treatment

The clock is ticking, and the pages on the calendar are turning so fast. Praise God, Dan is physically strong. Your prayers for him are making a difference. His skin has remained strong. There is no muscle damage. The skin is red, but is whole. The treatment Tuesday caused three small blisters to come on Dan's thigh. But the blisters are gone today (Wednesday). The special gel for radiation burn is helping quite a bit.

We will have our final meeting with the Radiologist, Dr. Dubey, Thursday morning after Dan's radiation treatment. Friday, May 2, we are to meet with Dr. Anderson, Dan's oncologist, to have blood work done, and a chest x-ray taken. After Dr. Anderson has the results, we will learn if Dan is free to go to Romania.

It is interesting the comments friends have made to us..."Are you going too soon?" "We are so proud of you for answering God's call to move to Romania." "With Dan's health problems, why are you going to Romania where the health care is not as good as in the U.S.?" "You are such an inspiration to us...continuing to actively serve God overseas at your age." "Dan and Anne are not going to "rust out." They are going to serve God until they "wear out."

Let me assure you that Dan is strong. He has suffered no ill effects from the radiation. As Dan said a few days ago, "we have sense enough to follow my doctors' orders." At this point in time, his doctors are all in favor of us moving to Romania as long as we come back for a check up in 3 months. After that they will want to see Dan in 6 months. The bottom line is this - if Friday's X-rays and blood work show Dan to be clear of cancer, there is nothing more to be done...except be back here in 3 months for checkups with his doctors.

Meanwhile, regardless of Dan's health, we have to vacate this house on May 22. We have to go somewhere else to live. We hear God calling us to serve Him in Romania. He is providing us a nice apartment, healthy food, Loving people to take care of us, and a work to do that will help many people while we glorify God with our lives. In Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah said, "Here am I. Send me." He is an inspiring role model. -- Anne and Dan

Posted by Anne at 09:40 PM | Permalink

Four of my rose bushes are covered with blossoms. The irises and azaleas are in full bloom. Robins, mocking birds, sparrows, doves, and, of course, the crows hop around our yard. We are thankful that Dan continues to do well. He only has 14 more radiation treatments ahead of him. After Dan completes those, the oncologist, Dr. Anderson, will take x-rays of his chest and do blood tests to make sure that Dan is in good shape.

Dan's skin is doing okay; he drives the car everywhere; and he walks very well without using a cane. If you remember, he has not had to use a cane at all. The outer incision healed weeks ago. The swelling in his leg is a minor problem now. As long as he wears the support stocking during the day, it stays under control.

This move is quite different from any we have experienced. In all of our past moves, we still owned furniture which we moved (with the drawers full of our things) or we put a lot in storage. This time, we have to empty every drawer and file cabinet, check all the storage cabinets, throw away every piece of paper we don't need, sort through everything to make sure we do have what we want.

We have to exit this house May 22. The Estate Sale Lady said, "You are not allowed to be here during the Estate Sale. It is not a good idea to watch your possessions being sold." Starting at 9 a.m. on May 23, 24, & 25 the sale is open to the public. The Sale Lady comes back May 26 to sell the remaining items in a "lot" to a man who buys all the "leftovers." The house will be emptied of anything that used to belong to us. On May 27, she and her crew will vacuum the floors, lock the doors, and turn the key over to the owner of the house closing this chapter of our life on Maple Drive. All that will remain will be my 10 antique rose bushes and the three flower beds we added to the front yard...silent witnesses to my love for flowers and gardening.

Tonight, the Lord is reminding me that..."If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm. Though he stumble, he will not fall for the Lord upholds him with His hand....Then I said, 'Here I am. I have come....I desire to do your will, O my God. Your law is written within my heart.' " Psalm 37:23, 24; 40:7, 8.
-- Anne and Dan

Posted by Anne at 07:36 PM | Permalink

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost," is the song that flows from my lips often these days. Dan is strong, his skin is healthy. He continues to drive himself to his radiation treatments Monday through Friday.

Today, he searched through 16 file boxes - the contents of 10 can be shredded. Guess what was in the other 6 boxes? Think a minute - what does Dan love to do? If you said, "Books were in those other boxes!" - you were right. : > )

Spring is here. The wisteria vines are beautiful beyond description...climbing up to the tip top of 2 very tall trees that are waiting for their Spring coat of leaves to grow. Some of my rose bushes have a few lovely roses. Maybe by this time next week, the bushes will be covered with flowers. We continue with our daily responsibilities while we squeeze in some packing. We are in the process of putting together a web page, and raising funds for our mission works. Except for Dan going for his radiation treatment, it's a pretty normal life for anyone who is moving to a far country.

Again tonight, God gave me this verse to share with you. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." Luke 2:14 -- Anne and Dan

Posted by Anne at 08:47 PM | Permalink