Health Update, August 2009
NOTE: Dr. Lowery sent this e-mail to the LCCS campus and invited me to share it here as well. –Michael
As many of you know, for the past three years the doctors have been monitoring a tumor that was discovered in the Fall of 2006. Every several months I have gone in for special scans, and the tumor had remained stable and still is. That is good news.
For several weeks, I have not been feeling well and the doctors have been putting me through a variety of tests. On Thursday of last week, I had another scan, but unlike previous scans this time the doctors discovered several spots on my liver. They do not know the nature of these spots, and so in the days ahead I will be undergoing a variety of tests, including a needle biopsy and special blood tests. Dr. Kasa cautioned Marilyn and me not to jump to conclusions about the nature of these spots, specifically whether or not they are malignant. We simply do not know at this point. More information is needed before any kind of treatment, if any at all, can or must be done.
We have shared this news with our family, and now we are sharing it with you. Are we anxious? Of course. I have known for several weeks that something was not right. But when the doctor met with us tonight, we were still stunned by the preliminary report. God has sustained us these past three years, and we will continue to trust him in the days ahead. We have been blessed by a strong Christian community on this campus, and we are profoundly grateful for your prayers and words of encourgement.
We are asking you to join us in prayer and ask God to bless the doctors so that they will know what to do and to bless our family with strength and an even deeper trust in the Lord.
Related posts:
Good Professor and Friend,
Reading your blog has been, for the most part, enjoyable. Your writing engages my mind and my heart, drawing me in to the relationship with Christ you have called “the dance.” God willing, that will not change.
Yet, this evening as I read your two most recent posts, I cannot say the experience was enjoyable. I do not feel the same level of anxiety you feel; the process of writing you describe is precisely the reason I have refrained from doing so. More, the health concerns you reveal are not mine; they belong to you. My anxieties are removed a step or two. There is, still, that need to wrestle with things which do not belong directly to me. As with our ancient brother Paul, I find that if one of my Christian siblings, or a congregation, is finding circumstances less than perfect, I also experience anxiety.
I have been praying for you during the days you have spent in the work of writing a book I am eager to read. The days spent with you and my fellow students in class are come of those I cherish. To be able to read (and be reminded of things learned from you) about our Savior and His Church is a treat which I fully intend to experience. I will continue to pray God will inform and inspire you in the process.
And now, even more, I press closer to Him in supplication, earnestly seeking His special provision on your behalf. While you and Marilyn throw yourselves into His arms, please know that I throw myself there as well. May our God, the One we know loves us beyond our ability to comprehend, provide grace, peace, and mercy to both of you, and in so doing show mercy to all of us who love you.
Charlie
Just prayed and will continue to do so.
blessings – Brent
Bob,
Rest assured you and the family will be in our prayers here in Shoals. Thank you for the update and thanks for the influence you have had my life as well as so many others. You are a good friend and mentor to me.
Love you Brother,
Matt
Bob,
Thank you for sharing your current health concerns with us. Please know that you are and will continue to be in my prayers. Knowing your relationship with the Eastview church in Cedar Rapids I will share this news with them that they might pray for you and your family as well.
With great appreciation and sincere love,
Bill Holley (and Gretchen)
Love Dr. Lowery…you are on my heart and the lips of my family as we pray for you at every chance!
Hello Bob, The church here at Clayton will be praying for you, Marilyn and the family. Just this week one of our folks asked about you and progress on the book. Craig Clark sent me this blog with the information about your health. You may remember Craig ate with us at our house when you were here. In the Love of Jesus, Gary Black
Bob, you are a person of great faith. The hope that is generated from that faith will sustain you and be a source of enormous comfort. You continue to be a powerful witness to many more than you will ever know. Thank you for your faith, your witness, and your service.
Bob, my friend – we are praying for both you and your family. Know that you are loved.
God’s Blessings