I have now gone through week 4 of my treatment, however this week was not what I was expecting. After having a radiation treatment and my lab work done on Monday it was discovered that my white blood count was too low to administer chemo. Not only no chemo this week, but radiation had to be stopped because they were going to give me Neupogen shots to boost my white blood count.
I have not felt very good this week and for the first time I was unable to swallow my daily medications. Now I have to crush up the pills I am unable to swallow and administer them through my feeding tube. We were able to find vitamins and pain medication in liquid forms, which helps a lot.
Today I am feeling good and I am going to have an ear test this afternoon. One of the side effects of the chemo is hearing loss, so they want to see where I am today and I’m sure after all of this is done I will have another hearing to test to compare.
The good news is that my blood counts are back up and I will resume chemo and radiation next Monday. A couple of other praises, 1) my ear pain is gone. 2) I have a stronger voice today.
I finished the book my cousin Belinda sent to me called “Kisses from My King” and it was well worth the read. The author’s cancer was a different kind than mine, however there are a lot of similar feelings and emotions that cancer patients have and I could relate to where she was. Many of the scriptures that she used are the same ones that I cling to. However, there was one verse that stuck in my heart and I have committed it to memory this week.
Psalm 16:11
11 You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.[1]
It is difficult for people to understand that during a tough circumstance how anyone could find joy and pleasure. God promises his children that no matter what we are going through that 1) he will be there with us and 2) that we have the eternal hope of heaven. Those two things are the source of joy and pleasure.
Everything in the world is temporal. Even our bodies are temporary with souls awaiting the promise of an eternal life with God. Our joy and pleasures will never be found eternally in the temporal stuff of this world. Jesus really is the only answer to our life. He is the way, the truth and the life!
[1]Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation(Ps 16:11). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
Resting in HIS hands 
Keith, my name is Debbie Jackson and I am a friend of Lacie white. I am also the author of the book you referenced. Those verses were and continue to be precious to me. I will pray for you as you journey the “race marked out for you”! As my son in law wisely said-cancer is a name but Jesus is the Name above all names.
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Debbie, Thank you so much for writing your book, it is a source of inspiration for me and I am sure for others. I know we have other common friends, My niece is Melanie Groff and my cousin is Belinda Dunn O’Neil. I am originally from Stinnett so, if we were to talk I am sure there are other folks we might know. Lacie was in my church I pastored at First Southern Baptist in Liberal, KS. Eighteen years ago my wife had her own personal journey with breast cancer. During that year I developed heart issues. Near the end of her treatment I had a triple by-pass. As a care giver I did not take care of my self. I was trying to be pastor, husband, daddy, house-keeper and everything else that came my way. People told me to take care of myself, but I didn’t listen. We have been relatively healthy for 18 years and my wife has been a speaker all over Kansas telling her story of ‘Joy’! The roles have reversed this time, so I am trying hard to be sure that my wife takes care of herself. The good news with my cancer is that the initial treatment is only about 7-8 weeks and is highly curable. God has already gave me his promise in this journey. I just haven’t written or told anyone about it yet, but I will in the days ahead. Thanks again.
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Keeping you in prayer as you do these treatments. Will pray you have no hearing loss also!
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I have been reading about your health issues since I was just listed as a friend. I am sorry to hear of this, but am thrilled to read of your faithfulness and focus on God. This is what he always wants from us, and your right, we should always glorify him in what we do. I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers.
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David, it just seems like yesterday we were young boys riding our bicycles all over town and playing baseball and just having a lot of fun being boys. I have such fond memories of your family living across the street. It was never the same after you left. It is good to connect after all of these years, would love to hear more about you and your family.
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