Prayer Request: Health Update
We have some news to report at last. Over the past several weeks, approximately five doctors (including a specialist from Barnes Hospital) have been consulting with one another to determine what to do with me in light of what they call “a very rare situation.†This past weekend a decision was made.
On Thursday and Friday, December 21 and 22, I will be going to the hospital as an out-patient to have an octreotide scan done. It is a scan used to find carcinoid and other types of tumors. Radioactive materials are injected into a vein and travel through the bloodstream, and the radioactive octreotide attaches to tumor cells that are malignant. Dr. Kasa informed us that it is used to detect certain types of cancer arising from the neuron-endocrine systems. These include cancers of the stomach, intestines, thyroid and pancreas. The scan allows the doctors to see where the cancer started and any places it has spread to.
The good news is two-fold. First, we are grateful that the physicians have at last reached a decision as to what to do next. Frankly, Marilyn and I and members of the family were growing a bit frustrated. When the tests results are analyzed, we should know what needs to be done. Second, at this stage I do not manifest significant symptoms associated with a malignancy.
We have deeply appreciated your prayers and ask that God be honored in the days ahead in what the doctors do and how we continue to respond to the situation. We continue to pray that the tumor be benign so that ministry can continue. I must confess, however, that I am not as patient nor as trusting as I should be.
One of my former students sent me a prayer by Francis of Assisi: “Lord, look down on me in my infirmities and help me to bear them patiently.â€
I have taken refuge in many of the Psalms, notably 130 early this morning: “From the depths of my despair I call to you, Lord. Hear my cry, O Lord; listen to my call for help! . . . I wait eagerly for the Lord’s help and in his word I trust.â€
Amen.
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We love you Bob. May God grant you clean bill of health. And thanks for sharing with the world your health issues. And I thought you were a private kinda guy.
I have a google “alert” for Carcinoid. Your blog came up and I just wanted to encourage you. I have had carcinoid for 17 years. I am very healthy and have much get up and go.
Do hope you don’t have carcinoid, but be sure you understand the procedure for the ocreoscan. It is a very expensive test and different hospitals have their own critera for this test.
What are your symptoms that they are considering carcinoid?
Please feel free to write me at the address above. I am in Texas, but should you get a carcinoid diagnosis, I am familar with most of the specialists in the U. S.
Wishing you and your family well. Sarah Rees
Dear brother,
You and your family are in my prayers. May God grant you not only healing, but peace in this season of the ultimate gift of God – Jesus.
You are a blessing, and your teaching continues to inspire me to dig deep in God’s word.
tom