Poster Boy? Mike's 8-23-12 Update

If my mom was still alive she would be really proud of me: I am now the HepC Triple Therapy Poster Boy!!!!  If you read my last blog, “A little Cheese with my Whine, Please,” you would know how brutal this chemo therapy has been on me.  However, my transplant coordinator just informed us that we are doing much better than the other ten in my group.  As you know, I cleared the HepC virus in record time, my blood work is slowly improving, I am not throwing up, having multiple transfusions, or have horrible rashes or vertigo, and I am alive (one isn’t)!  Also, I have not missed an injection or any pill dosages, and I have managed to maintain my weight.  Of course, she gave all the credit to Carolyn, as do I, to God, and to all of you who have supported us in prayer and financially.

This honorable designation is my pay back for whining; you see I complained about the leg cramps when others don’t have legs!  The Apostle Paul stated, “in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will concerning you.”  We don’t give thanks “for” everything but “in” everything.  A couple of things here; no matter how bad we think we have it, someone else has it worse.  And, those who have it worse may be receiving a huge blessing at the end, or a bigger reward in heaven, maybe never realizing the reward for their suffering here on earth (Heb. 11).   We don’t always know why we are suffering, but that suffering time is set by God as well as a good reason.  Should we not trust God that He knows what He is doing when we don’t see it?

This reminds me of a battle that would determine the history of the Jews. The battle was won because, as Moses was suffering the pain of muscle cramps and fatigue while holding up his rod, Aaron and Hur grabbed his arms and held them up until the Jews were victorious in battle.  He experienced a victory that changed the course of Jewish history.  He was rewarded because he did not give up no matter what the pain;  he blessed God in the pain, and received help through the pain. I also feel I am held up by your prayers, and experience a victory that would not otherwise be possible.   Moses never got to ‘see’ his victory realized when his people entered into the promised land.  Nonetheless, the plan of God was perfect and accomplished His purposes.  I know and believe God's purposes will also be accomplished in my life.

Take heart; although it may appear that what we are going through is for nothing, God’s plan for us is full of so much love, that He would never waste a single tear.  I consider myself one of the most blessed men on earth.  The next update will explain why I am so blessed.  As usual, let us know how we can pray for you as you are kind enough to pray for us.  Carolyn and I pray daily for the needs we hear of from you.

With much love and respect,

Mike

A Little Cheese With My Whine, Please!

Yes, I am going to whine.  Why?  To prevent you from possibly falling victim to the same trap I fell in.  First, to whine!  My body feels like I was hit with a Mack truck; my nervous system feels like heroin withdrawals; my stomach is extremely nauseous and my large intestine feels like it is full of molten lava.  When the volcano erupts, which is three to six  times a day, I have yelped, shed a tear, and moaned loudly.  I also have fevers, chills, and other types of random side effects.  However, with all the pain and suffering described above, there is nothing to be compared to the last side effect: anemia.  Anemia is a lack of red blood cells and causes unbelievable, overwhelming fatigue.  Many times I am unable to hold my head up, walk more than 20 ft., and it brings more brain fog.  Although I have to self inject a drug to reverse this condition,  it has only slowed down the progress, but has not reversed it.  I am literally helpless!

Many of you also deal with life controlling problems, broken relationships, failed businesses, and other overwhelming life impacting catastrophes that don’t seem to be controlled by conventional methods.  It is not that I am complaining, mind you, it is that Carolyn noticed a change in my countenance.  Although I was not complaining any more than I usually do (which is a lot!!!!), it was that I seemed to have lost my joy, and she asked if I had read the Word or prayed to our Father.  I had not.  You see my spirit was anemic; I had let my physical ailments dictate my spiritual condition.  This only compounded the problem, as now I was battling all this on my own.  We were not made to be without God’s loving Spirit; the same Spirit that Jesus said is the great Comforter and Helper whom He would send when He left.

Please do not be like me and let circumstances dictate our behavior.  If you are struggling with a difficult situation , take the time to pray and nourish yourself on God’s Word and watch how God can work the impossible.  Also, get together for prayer with someone else to help carry the load.  I can’t tell you how much having Carolyn and Aaron praying for me,  and loving me through this has meant to me.  And, for those of you who  have prayed for me, I would like to pray for you, so let us know your prayer request and we will add you to our list.  My final thought is loving community; I belong to a home group that spoils us rotten.  The Word is so true for us not to forget the assembly of ourselves.

As always, thank you all for your prayers and support; without it we would not have been able to continue so strongly.

Many, many Blessings,

Mike