CDGPRESSINGON: The second adventure in Reno.

On By tcgiles

Hello everyone!

Let me tell you.  Life sure has a way of making things interesting.  So, I left you with that fact I was having Bronchial issues.  I ended up going to a Pulmonary Specialist that through a broncoscopy found Renal cells had blocked my large bronchial tube creating a “mucous plug”.  So, this was a fun one to deal with.  Almost as fun as the Kidney Stone Adventure.  Following the pulmonary visit the doctor told us, “It’s not an emergency, but it’s an emergency”.  So, I found my self trucking down to Rochester the next day to spend some time with my newly found Mayo friends for another day of gut splitting fun and laughter.  They had to do yet another broncoscopy, but this time they thought it would be really cool to put me out and insert a long metal tube down my trachea then into the bronchial tube.  Once lodged correctly ( I am sure my swallowing technique was challenged in a most formidable way as the doctor told Terry I tried getting up “several times” during this delightful event) they would then insert a probe and a laser to “roto rooter” the renal cells out which then would open up the bronchial tube—alas we had success!!

Praise God for his goodness through all of it.

However, I must confess I was a bit taken back by this renal cell growth news because of the wonderful news I had received in June.  This my friends is why we must have the faith of a mustard seed.  We never know what is coming at us.  But, as I have told my children through the years….”it doesn’t matter what happens to you, it’s how you respond that defines your character”.  I must admit I was having some serious character issues at this point.  But, the Lord and I talked it through (not like he was sitting next to me, I’m not delusional) we spoke to each other through prayer and the study of his word.  And his word tells me that he’s “got my back”.  the following are just a couple of his promises:

Psalm 55:22 tells us to “cast our cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall”. 

Psalm 91:9-10 tells us “If you make the Most High your dwelling even the Lord, who is my refuge then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your house”.

One of my all time favs (which I read nearly everyday) is Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am you God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.

So, this brings me to my current situation.  I now have 2 lytic lesions in my right upper ribs, 1 lytic lesion in my left lower rib, and a spot near my lower right lumbar area which are all causing me pain (which is bothersome, but liveable).  To chase these nasties away we have increased our dosage of Gemzar and Dacarbazine Chemo three times weekly for two weeks.  I have already had 3 days of Chemo.   Additionally, I will be taking an injection once per month (at a mere $2K per shot) to in the words of Doc Forsythe “chase it from my bones”.  That’s a relief.  A little pain to drive out the pain.  These treatments will be ending September 11th.  Then, I will go home and start on a Chemo pill at a lessor dose than regular standard of care so that I can live a “normal life”.  This will go on for 3-4 months while I continue to check blood counts every two weeks and then full MRI scans sometime in Nov-Dec.  See.  I do have something to look forward too besides the Holidays!!  🙂

I don’t think there’s anything normal about this!!  I do know that nothing in life stays static and this is my new normal.  I know that there are many of you reading this blog that are either suffering with this type of disease or have friends or family that are doing so.  My heart, prayers, and thoughts go out to you as this can be all consuming.

So, this brings me to what have I learned lately?  Well, I have definitely learned that I have a large, wonderful group of friends and family members that pray for me daily and support me thru notes, texts, cards, and phone calls—never stop this please.  It has a way of encouraging me that is beyond measure.

I realize that my family is far more important than anything else I have or do in life.  My wife is a phenomenal help mate that works harder at getting me better than I do.  (But, this is changing)

I look forward to spending more time with my kids and grandbabies with more immediacy.

I have learned that one MUST remain completely mentally tough and steadfast in believing that you will prevail.  That this is not going to get me down.  That the promises of God is what drives and sustains my positive attitude….there is nothing He cannot accomplish.  But, we must ask through prayer giving him thanks and praise and worship Him through it all—the good and the ugly.

I hope that you will find there is no problem in life you cannot overcome.  But, you must prepare yourself to handle it through giving it to the Lord.  That’s right.  Give it to Him.  Release it into his grace and pray that you will grow in a personal relationship with Him.

One last thing, as I sit in that infusion room and look around me I see people that are doing well and then there are a few that may not make it beyond a few months.  But, one thing I know is that I will be healed.  It may be in this world or in the next in Heavean.  But, by God’s promises I have been healed it’s just a matter of where and when that healing will be appropriated.  It is my wish that the timing is now.  Won’t you all go to the throne room of God with me in prayer to beseech his mercy?

Blessings to all  of you!

Craig aka Papa G

36 thoughts on “CDGPRESSINGON: The second adventure in Reno.”

  1. afvcmah

    Wow! It seems like I always say that when I read your posts!! Yes we pray. We will pray. We will continue to pray!! Thanks for the encouragement to us!!

    Like

    Reply
  3. Kate Wenzel

    Praying for you daily, Craig. You’re loved and you’re fought for by our Lord. Praying for peace and perseverance as you do indeed continue to persevere for His glory.

    Like

    Reply
  4. robin rotz

    What an encouragement and inspiration you and your amazing faith are to us. We continue to lift you in prayer that the Lord will give you strength and complete healing.

    al and robin

    Like

    Reply

    1. Robin, you know that both you and Al were one of our first Christian mentors—-thanks to you both for helping Terry and I grow in our faith fromt the very beginning…..blessings!

      Like

      Reply
  5. Tammy Brooks

    Craig,
    You are in my daily prayers!You are one amazing guy and boy can you ever write!!Please give Terry a hug,you both are pretty amazing..Love and prayers to you both!

    Like

    Reply
  6. Gregg and Jayne Larson

    Craig your strength is amazing and a blessing from the Lord! We continue our prayers for you! Thanks for sharing from your heart and showing how great it is to depend on our Heavenly Father totally!

    Like

    Reply
  7. Gregg and Jayne Larson

    Craig and Terry here is a song that I have been listening to the last couple of days…one of my all time favorites! Thought you might like to hear it!! Blessings!

    Like

    Reply
  10. Gregg and Jayne Larson

    Trying to get you the song Like a River Glorious!! The list of songs that is coming up are all good too! Sorry to be leaving so many posts!!! Hope you can listen to some of these songs they are such a blessing! Jayne

    Like

    Reply

  11. Hi Craig, just read your latest entry. I pray for you daily. Prayer and the knowledge that he will always be at your side to give you whatever you need from Him. I am leaving on Sept. 7th to do a Marion Pilgrimage Tour in Europe. One of the many places we will visit is Lourdes and Fatima where Mary appeared. May she hear my prayers for you and pass them onto our Lord, Jesus Christ. Pistol Pete and I (Jo) have your back in prayers.

    Like

    Reply
  12. Cathy Lundgren

    Thanks so…much for the update Craig & for sharing & sticking to God’s word & being an example of “TRUE FAITH WALK ING”
    You’re a warrior for Jesus!
    We are joining you in prayer for complete healing. ..
    In Jesus Love, Cathy

    Like

    Reply
  13. Nancy

    Craig and Terry… May you” forget what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, PRESS ON toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:12). May you grab hold of today’s mercy, today’s grace, and today’s power offered you right here, right now, for this moment. And may holy confidence and humble dependence mark your life in every way today. Big hugs. Nancy and Bill

    Like

    Reply
  14. Mark Blaylock

    Craig,

    One day, life will be back to a normal pace and it’s because of your belief in God. Hang in there and I personally believe that you are the most optimistic and positive person that I have ever known! Continuing to pray for you and we know what can happen when we trust in the Lord!!

    Like

    Reply
  15. Kathy Rapley

    May God so richly bless you both in Reno!!!! I always thoroughly enjoy listening to you share your heart. It probably isn’t easy for you to do it. It reminds us to keep talking with God about you both. Thank you.

    Like

    Reply
  16. Nancy Klaers

    Hi Craig, So good to hear from you and to know that you are continuing to Press On through this fight…one day at time, one step at a time with the Lord, family & friends beside you. You continue to inspire us with your faith, strength and perseverance. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Terry. God Bless, Nancy

    Like

    Reply
  17. Maureen Stoffel

    Craig~Terri the Giles Family

    You are an inspiration to many inside the box of challenge!
    The Spirit is truly in your hearts, souls and minds as you KEEP LOOKING UP!
    Prayers, thoughts, Arms of serenity wrap you in hope, trust and wisdom!!!

    Like

    Reply
  18. Bruce Degenstein

    Continual Prayers for you and your family. Keep your head up as you have and with your great mindset, let’s Win this!! God Bless! Bruce

    Like

    Reply
  19. Dave Sylvester

    Craig, thank you for sharing your journey. The beauty of this is the healing. We are praying that our Lord sustains and heals you now. But the joy as you said is that we are healed already. Our sins forgiven and standing perfect in Gods eyes by Christ commitment of love for us. There is also a great pleasure and joy in this time as well as God has given you the wonderful gift of Perspective. We will continue to pray for you and your family.

    Like

    Reply
  20. Kay Jensen

    Craig,

    It is said that we are given only what we can bear. But your shoulders must be even larger than they appear as this is almost hard to believe. (That will teach you not to get up and lift at 5AM)
    Humor aside, thank you for sharing your story as again you give back to others much
    more than you receive.

    God is indeed our strength tho it’s so hard to understand the “why” behind what happens to us.

    I believe in angels and continued miracles and I have prayed that a herd of sassy angels are coming your and your family’s way with healing so you can lift at 5AM again.

    Kay

    Like

    Reply

    1. Looking forward to “all the sass” the Angels can lay on me.

      You are so funny! Thanks for bringing a smile to my face and for all the support you lay on me Kay!

      Many blessings back to you.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s