Then I had Brain Surgery
"He . . . binds up their wounds." (Ps147:3) This is me coming home from the following adventure... Remember when I told you I was going to be able to delay the need to have brain surgery? Just kidding! On Monday March 7th, I had a seizure at home which resulted in a fall. That night, Kendra and I decided that it wasn't a good idea for her to have to manage this situation at home, wondering if I might have another seizure and / or fall, So she took me to the ER at UCLA, where I got a fresh MRI of my brain. The MRI showed that two tumors which had received radiation a few weeks prior had grown in size (#notallowed). This growth led the brain experts (is it just me or do others agree that “Brain Expert” would be a cool thing to have on a business card?) to conclude that the seizure had probably been caused by these enlarged tumors (also #notallowed). Prior plans to put off surgery? Cancelled. These free loaders have been given enough ...
Hi Jim
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure if i am doing this correctly as I have never published a comment on a blog before but hopefully I won’t crash your site. Here goes.
I have been following the news of the recurrence of the cancer through the homeschool email group and your new blog, Fortitudine. I have joined the countless others who are praying the novena for your complete recovery. I pray with confidence that God will grant you healing, in many ways.
Thank you for describing your decision making process - often treatment options include a complex weighing of costs and benefits, which can be facilitated by discernment of the information of right physician, nurses, friends and spiritual friends. You captured that process well and will be helpful to your readers if they find themselves in similar situations.
As I speak about your writing skills, it seems to me there might be a book waiting for you to write. Maybe an addendum to the US Marine’s Small War Manual. My I suggest a woot king title: “Superior Firepower: Prayer, Adoration, Eucharist and Confession - One Marine’s Asymmetrical Warfare Against Metastatic Melanoma.’
I have been inspired by your life story over the years and know this will be another one that you will be asked to repeat by your grandkids and great grandkids at Brumblewood.
In the meantime, you have my prayers and love and support and look for many more years of friendship with you. But please stop hogging all the cancer.
Pax Christi,
Ken Langford.
Thanks, Ken! Keep my godson praying for me, too (I pray for him daily)! St. Josemaria always said that God listens to the prayers of children first.
DeleteYou got this!! Such an amazing attitude, support system and family. Can't wait to pray for you in a holy hour....in October ....what!! yes, October....that's how much love and support you have from here, all the way in MICHIGAN!! micaela.darr@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's really incredible, isn't it?
DeleteI just signed up for the Adoration chain and was relegated to NOVEMBER! And the very end of the month at that. AND it was just one of a couple random empty spots. The whole idea of all these people, all over the country, praying in adoration is amazing. And I bet there are people that you are bringing back to adoration that have not been in a very long time. Great things for God!
ReplyDeleteIt's overwhelming to consider. I feel like George Bailey.
DeleteYou’re an awesome (and funny) writer! You know what would be so cool is to find out where everyone is from who is involved in the adoration train. My hour is in August (of course I pray every day), and I’ll be praying from Colorado! Don’t worry, I’ll only be high on God:)
ReplyDeleteThank you. Maybe we should ask Micaela if there is a way to add a column to indicate their home town.
DeleteYes, great idea!
ReplyDeleteQuick question - is it okay to share your blog with others? Wasn't sure how you felt about that.
ReplyDeleteYes, please do. I need all the prayers I can get, and I pray daily for everyone who reads it!
DeleteWell, I don’t have a blog. Fortudine is Jim Tierney’s blog. You would probably need to ask him:)
ReplyDeleteYour writing is breathtaking and heartfelt. You are so right about finding joy in the journey. I am sending prayers to all the angels and saints for you, your sweet wife, and your wonderful family.
ReplyDeleteVery nice of you to say, and thank you for all the prayers. You're getting lots of them from us, too.
DeleteOk. I’m a goof! I just realized that your name is Katie also and you were asking Jim! I’m scary...ha!
ReplyDeleteGlad we got that all sorted out!
DeleteDear Jim and Kendra,
ReplyDeleteThis is Andy’s dad (and Ava’s grandfather) writing. I have been following your recent blog posts about the recurrence of melanoma. As a physician, I have always been aware of how melanoma can lurk in one’s body for years and then rear its ugly head years later. I am sorry it has done so in your case.
I have to say, in light of that, that your approach to what is happening is such a beautiful witness to the proper Christian approach to this kind of situation. Even many really devout Catholics don’t think of the opportunity one has to effect the salvation of poor souls in Purgatory by uniting their sufferings with the sufferings of Christ and applying the merits thereof to the souls in Purgatory. Thank you for doing that.
I know that, in spite of your upbeat approach, there have to be moments of anxiety, and I hope they are not frequent. We have Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament at my church every Friday, and I will spend my holy hour in prayer for your healing and for your lovely family (loved the photo before your church on Pentecost!). I shall keep you in prayer ongoing. I pray that it will not be too difficult for you all to accept the will of God in your lives. If you have any need or desire to vent or chat medically or spiritually, feel free to give me a call—I’m not putting myself forward as any kind of expert, but can provide an ear and a receptive spirit to you. My cell phone is 903-517-5893.
God bless you.
Fr. Lawrence Love
Thank you, Father! It's wonderful to hear from you. Your offer of weekly adoration is most welcome and generous. We accept. Be assured of our prayers for you and your flock, too!
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