7 November 2007

Dear Friends - 

While I have had occasion to bring many of you up-to-date on my health in person, I want to take this opportunity to get the word out to all of you in our diocese.

Four weeks ago I finished my radiation therapy and the second round of chemo therapy. This past week I had a CT Scan, and it revealed that we are making progress in reducing the size of the tumors. This is very good news, and Kit and I are certain that your many prayers are instrumental in this progress.

While I can no longer do more radiation therapy on the same site, I can do more chemo therapy. That will begin next week. (Those who have seen me know that my head is not yet bare from hair loss. However, while I have been losing my hair over the past 50 years, the rate of loss has increased since treatment for this disease began. I fully expect that the next round of chemo will get the job done. Bare, here I come!)
The next round of chemo may be delayed a bit, however, since I am going early next week to M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas. This is a well-known research hospital, and we go seeking information on research going on in which I might participate. However, whatever we do, it will happen in Boise at Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI), a fine hospital in its own right.

As this journey goes forward, I give thanks daily that you are with us on the journey. Through your prayers, cards, and hugs both Kit and I know that we are surrounded by God's love and sustained by your presence with us. We are confident that all will be well - nay, that all is well because we are blessed to have you with us as we look to tomorrow and the adventure that yet awaits us in this life and in the life to come.

Thank you.