Anyone who’s ever crossed the international date line knows what “time travel” feels like.
There’s this strange in-between-ness where you are both adjusting to the current reality (what day/time is it here?) and anticipating the next change toward the destination.
48 hours ago, I (Chris) boarded a plane bound for Chicago, abruptly leaving behind my family, friends and the city I have come to love over the past 15 years.
Every day is a gift from God – life itself is a gift.
I still have more to learn about this truth He is teaching me. And I certainly have more to learn about suffering!
While writing part of this post on the airplane, my right leg and hip pulsed with pain and fire. My physical pain has mostly been manageable with increasingly higher doses of gabapentin and other pain killers – but plane travel and lack of sleep exacerbates my pain.
Much more than my current physical suffering, the past 4 days have been punctuated by both our intense grief and loss and wonderful moments of love, friendship and encouragement.
It’s hard to quantify the magnitude of our grief and loss of our home and life, but I now realize it is exceeded by the depth of the love and support we have felt from our friends near and far. Love is so worth it, and I have seen it overcome the darkness and grief we are in the midst of.
After saying goodbye to my family in our home, I headed to the Chiang Mai airport where I was greeting by a crowd of friends wanting to pray over me as I left. In the middle of airline check-in area, this group of 30+ surrounded me and broke into 3 verses of Amazing Grace before I said goodbye. This is God’s love and light bubbling over into our darkness!
Upon arrival in Chicago I was greeted by my brother Brian and my parents. They then drove me directly to Grand Rapids where I was admitted into the hospital to begin further testing and treatment. My thanks to our friend, Craig, for being my escort on the journey, dropping all his plans at a moment’s notice and loving our family in this way. There have been so many God moments, I need to write them all down (another post?) One of them is that my oncologist happened to be on call this weekend, exactly at the time that I arrived at the hospital. I was admitted through the ER in order to expedite testing.
From midnight through 2am I underwent 4 MRIs (3 spine and brain) as well as several CT scans.
Let me just say right now that God is answering our prayers for peace, for healing, for less pain. All of these things are actually unfolding, and I am witness to them!
The MRI results came back 12 hours later – they cannot find any cancer! My case of recurring CNS lymphoma seems to have gotten more interesting, more unusual, but in a good way. So the current plan as I understand it (this changes daily) is to have a first lumbar puncture for analysis of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), followed by another lumbar puncture to deliver chemo, after the doctors have had a chance to decide what the best type of chemo should be given the results of the CSF analysis. This is a different approach than what I was told upon arrival at the ER – which was basically that I will get chemo as soon as possible.
Today, Tuesday at 1pm I will have a CT/PET full body scan to look for “hot spots” in my body where cancer may be hiding that doesn’t show up on other scans. Once we have all the data that can be gathered the doctors will settle on a treatment plan. I think the plan is to then have a round of chemo and steroids to help his body be in a better place to start the extensive treatment that I will need.
Pray for me, Becca, as I continue to gather information that the Lord would help me to make the best decisions for travel and schooling transition for the kids. Pray for the kids as they finish out the last two weeks of school and say all of the goodbyes and see-you-laters. We have had a good meeting with their school and have a great support system in place to help transition the kids to a school in America. Pray also for Chris’s parents and brother who is supporting Chris in the hospital until I can get there. There are many pieces to figure out, but we are so thankful for the many offers of help with logistics here and in America to prepare for our return.
Prayer Points:
Praise God for no masses to be found, yes, thank you Lord.
Pray that the results for all the tests are promptly processed, prayers for the doctors and medical staff
Pray against further traumatic incidents in Grand Rapids (those will delay his testing)
Pray for clarity for ticket purchasing for me and the kids
Pray specifically for Luis as he has some big decisions to make in this transition
Luke 3:4-6
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
Praying for peace for your family and an easy transition back to America. Sending much love. You will be in my thoughts a prayers throughout this journey.
May God give you great wisdom in the next two weeks and praise God for the support Chris has in Michigan. I pray that you guide her Lord every step of the way and the doctors for Chris also, in Jesus name Amen!
Praying for you. Love you guys!
Which Hospital in GR?
Where to send a gift card?
My prayers are with you Becca, and with your kids, and with you, dear Chris and all the doctors and nurses.
The picture of all the people praying for you was great. You are surrounded by love and like you say that is the greatest thing. May God continue to make clear his path in this journey and show how near he is to you. He upholds you with His righteous right hand. He is your strength and your shield when you feel weak, weary and attacked.
No doubt your endurance sporting prepared you for the the 3 MRIs that is a long time to be still in a tube.
My first lumbar puncture was at a training hospital with a student learning how to do it. I pray that yours provides clear results.
You are in the hands of the Father.
So good to hear Chris & Becca.
Sorry we didn’t get to the airport on Saturday night. Glad to see lots of people were there to pray and see you off Chris.
Praying for another miracle in your body and the cancer to be gone. In Jesus name.
Praying for the grace to make the decisions that are facing you with His hope and companionship beside you. We are praying for you all!
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; Do Not be discouraged”
Deuteronomy 31:8
Praying for you all and for crystal clear clarity for all decisions to be made, especially for Luis
May the Lord strengthen you with His joy and with His peace that passes all understanding! Praying for you all, especially for you, Luis, that your way will be made clear. May you all know the Lord’s presence in a powerful way.
I am praying for our Lord’s hand in every part of this for you and your family. He CAN be trusted.
Praying for you all
Jack and Margie Love are lifting you and your family up in prayer today and every day going forward. Sending love from us as well
Praying for the Lord’s clear direction and comfort! Love seeing the Body in action – especially being a light in Thailand!
May our Lord bless you all & keep you in His care where you are loved & upheld & in the hands of our great physician – healer & sustainer . Praying for God’s best in all! And may His glory & works be evident to all!! Praying, praying & sending love & hugs!
Thank you so much for the detailed update, I am praising God. I’m continuing to pray. Love all of you.
Thank you for taking time to post an update. I continue to pray.
Thanks for the update. So great to see you surrounded by love and prayer at the airport. Praying for you all!!
Prayers are lifted that all details of travel will safely and promptly reunite your family. Also, that Chris’ pain will be relieved. Gratitude for encouraging tests and asking for accurate answers. We remain strong with you.
Dear Chris,
My heart hurts with you and your family. I am praying for healing and God’s perfect peace for you and your family. Hang in there and know that many are thinking of you and being thankful that you are getting the very best medical care.