Folks...
I just got word that an older gent who lived next to me in Central PA, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He's fought off bladder cancer and eventually lost the bladder...then a kidney...and keeps on tickin...now this. I'm saddened even though at his age, he's done well to battle on this long. With work gone, travel is harder, but I'm going soon regardless. Soon as the docs know what they're going to do.
He and his wife have been like 2nd family to me. His name is John Miller, or God knows him as "Jack." :)
My dad's only living family, his baby sister, now in mid-70's emailed that her hubby, my Uncle Bob, is hospitalized iwth a tumor on his lung, too. They biopsy today or tomorrow..
Please keep Jack and Bob in prayers...and those of us who love them... to be strong and trust in His will for all things...
Thank you.
Prayers sent
Prayers sent
God Bless
Prayers that the Healer of all things will bring healing to the bodies of these 2 precious lives.
And may all the Glory be His.
Prayers sent!
Prayers sent from Georgia
Prayers sent DOC.
God bless you and your family and those who love these men. May you get good news when the resolts from the test from BOB'S biopsy come back.
Dave, thoughts and prayers sent your way....Shick
Prayers for complete healing and restoration!
DOC PRAYERS SENT
Prayers sent.
Tracy
prayers sent
thanks, everyone. Jack, my old neighbor who's like 2nd parents...got a report since he's not in specific pain from lung cancer, he can wait up till 2 months to start treatment... cause it will make him dog sick to undergo chemo.
He opted to wait, but at 84, wanted to hunt again this year. I suggested he find out how long the treaments are as he could start now and be done with them in time for the hunting season... I think he's afraid to start for he thinks he'll never get right from it...so he's going to enjoy the summer... time will tell.
I have to do some witnessing there and he's such a hard-headed ole german, I'm not sure how to approach it...but to get there and dive in while in prayer.
My Uncle Bob had his biopsy Wed and waiting to hear the report.
Thanks for all the prayers. These are young folks but they're still important to us all. :)
UPDATE: 6/24.
Spoke with Jack's son who lives near him. Brian thinks that Jack was diagnosed as "terminal" and that they're not pushing "treatment" as it will only serve as palative care as time progresses and so does the pain. :(
That is not good news, obviously. Brian's going to try to get better information. I'd heard things from his Mom he didn't and vice versa.
Please keep ole Jack Miller in your prayers.
Today I also got word that my Uncle Bob's "tumor" is definitely cancerous... they meet with the lung doc and oncologist this week.
Please keep Robert Hurst in prayer as well. It would be hoped that his prognosis might be more encouraging than what Brian feels his father, Jack's appears to be.
I appreciate your intercession for these two folks.
Keep the Son in your eyes... (and mine, Lord)
Doc Nock
Doc I will include these two in my prayers for sure. You reached out to me in some black times and now I will pay it forward.
Thanks, George...that is what it is all about...
Paying it forward. Great Movie, btw. :)
And thanks...
praying in Indiana......Mike
Could use a few prayer warriors this weekend...
Shortly, I'm headed up to Centre county to spend the weekend with my elderly neighbors still living there. Jack is one of my dear people who is terminal w/ cancer...and I'm going up to spend some quality time with him before it starts to get bad...Got a couple of chores I want to do on their house, too.
Where I could use special prayers is that I'll be trying to engage Jack about his relationship with Christ. He's a funny ole guy...doesn't go to church, cusses like a merchant marine, but always thanks me for saying grace at meals when there...
...to say I'm a bit intimidated, to discuss mortality and salvation with an 84 year old man who's hard as nails...and I've looked up to for 20 years...is an understatement...but its not about me being comfortable...it's about Jack and Jesus.
Prayers coveted to do and say the right things...know when to say when... open the door and then step aside and let Jesus take over.
"Lord, in your mercy..."
Thanks, folks...
continued prayers for complete restoration to all!
My wife is recovering from having her right lung completely removed. She was one of the lucky ones- hers was found in a routine chest x-ray before she started showing symptoms, and they were able to remove the tumor before it spread. Most are not that lucky. Her chemo was bad, but it's been 2 1/2 years since she finished it, and so far all of her scans have been good.
I thought I had lost her when she was diagnosed. She's not the same as before, but at least she's still with me! Very sorry for your situation, Doc. I know it's tough. My brother, my lifelong best friend, had terminal colon cancer, and has now passed on as of two years ago.
Life may never again be like it was, but life is still good. Hang in there, Doc, this too will pass. There is life after death, even for the living.
Doc,
Pray that the Holy Spirit would precede in softening this man's heart and that you would be an instrument that the the Lord will use to bring the good news to him. Also thinking of Colossians 4:3... "praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned; (4) in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak." It is good thing to be in prayer about how to approach people with the gospel. Paul did it and so should we. Otherwise, our outreach becomes "mechanical" and lacks the love that we should have for the lost and hurting... John
AMEN
Thanks, folks.
I find that it is always more important to put the person's needs ahead of my own need to share--I have to watch I don't think I HAVE to be the one to make a difference.
I've known these folks for 22 years or more... have a key to their home...always have. They are ..well, ... family.
When I got there, Friday afternoon, I grabbed the li'l onery guy and gave him my traditional big ole hug...He used to balk...but gave up... and learned to relish them. This time, though, he is using a walker and he didn't get up... I still leaned over and gave him my ole hug...and this time... he had tears in his eyes... and then the mask came back
He was pretty quiet all weekend... I worked on their wrought iron railing all weekend... it was in bad shape...Jack never once offered a suggestion or "critiqued" my work. That is also a first in 22 years! :) Jack always had ....'guidance' :)
We did get to talk some... In small sound bites. That is his way. He feels he beat this cancer for 10 good years and there is nothing he can do about it... so why let it get him down. I talked about how God loves us, even when we're a bit onery like he and I and he smiled. I told him if he had questions, I'm always there...and it's tween him and I.
I prayed for him and Louise at meals...and I almost lost it... :( It was an emotional time.
But it was precious. Much was shared in quiet emotions and a few stories were retold from years gone by. The job I undertook was grueling for an old guy like me... :) But even though I had to stay an extra day..it's done.
I'll get back up in August after they take a short trip to his grandaughter's wedding.
I kept hearing this "voice" tell me to open the door and then get my fat butt and ego outa the way and let jesus take it from there.
A buddy bought some arrows that are too short now and that paid for my gas $$. :)
thanks for the prayers for jack...and for me.
His bride of 62 years is going to be the one needing a lot of prayer as she will bear the brunt of it. She's nursed 7 neighbors in their small town through cancer...people who all raised their kids together and she was their care giver through to the end..now it will be her own husband.
Lord in your Mercy, hear our prayers...
Thanks folks...
Doc prayers sent for them and you
Prayers sent Doc!!!
Thanks, folks. This one can't end well, but it will be God's will and His time.
Jack was recently back in the hospital with a swollen foot...turned out to be an infection. I guess with cancer in the lymph nodes, that will be how it goes...low immune ability and lots of infections.
He's missing his grandaughter's wedding. The son and his wife left today and Jack and his bride of 62 years stayed home.
I just got back so I have to call to see if he's home from the hospital yet.
No new news on my Uncle. they're just waiting till he's uncomfortable to do anything. His lung tumor is inoperable.
I am praying Doc. We found out last week that my mother has lung cancer. I know how you and the rest of us who know people who are suffering from this damned hateful disease feel.
Prayers sent
God Bless
The challeges God lays before us in life are usually more difficult than we would ever want to bear. But he does it, as he turns all things, for our good.
I am blessed by your retelling of the beautiful, loving relationship that your "family" has had with you for these many years.
The Father so richly loves you that he has placed these loving caring people in your life for the long haul. Blessing you daily with a place in their family and they in yours.
At this time in Jack's fight, he might be getting tired, his will to fight on through years more of chemo and radiation, may not be as strong as it once was. But his love for one who is not his own, that is God given love.
I will continue to pray Jack comes to the full knowledge and acceptance of the Lord before the end. I will also pray for his wife and her continued strength and perseverance.
God bless them and you.
Mellisa,
That is some of the most beautiful sentiments imaginable. Jack is an onergy, crusty ole sort and to see him well up w/ tears at being there, about tore me apart...but in a good way.
Love..well, it bears and carries pain the deeper it is known. Even Christ cried for his friend.
I'd shared he didn't say one word for 3 days of my working on hands and knees...later, on the phone I got to ask "why?"
I about split a gut...he told me Louise told him to keep his mouth shut and not criticize anything I was doing! We both howled... I told him that just won't do cause I thought he was depressed.
Last I checked, he was getting around. Foot infection diminshed enough to walk a bit... so he's very aware of the end...but is carrying good spirits. :)
Thanks, for all prayers for Jack and Uncle Bob to know peace, strength and come closer to Christ with each passing day.
My prayers continue
God Bless