It is 5:00 AM Saturday and I'm in my office/study at home providing this weekly update. I completed my second round of treatment yesterday and it went well. Having gone through the first round, I made some adjustments in diet, medicines, and schedule to better accomodate the process and it has been helpful. Other changes involve avoiding contagiously sick people (sometimes if we have staff sickness going around the church office, I go in early in the morning when no one is there and finish before everyone else arrives); minimizing stress as much as possible; and concentrating on getting through the treatment process with the attitude and focus of getting well. I look at each round of treatment as a round in a fight and know I need to prepare for it, then get through it and its bruises and prepare for the next round. I know I have four invaluable resources through this process: (1) The constant presence of the Great Physician, the Lord Jesus Christ, who promised He will never leave us nor forsake us and always understands our every feeling and circumstance, (2) The finest of medical care I could ever receive to pull me through this dark tunnel, over the boulders, and out into the light, (3) An incredibly supportive family who are always there when I need them. Barb, my faithful private duty nurse who is always "on call" in the Brown residence. Daughter Lori, who lives in Davenport and is on summer break from her teaching duties which enables her to join me during my chemo sessions to fellowship and enjoy some personal time together. She also sees that I get very regular visits with her daughter, Kaitlynn, which always brightens up any day. Daughter Cheryl who comes with her family periodically on weekends from Chicago and calls regularly to see if I need anything. Those visits with her three children, Maelynn, Ryan, and Brendan give me great joy and , of course, something to look forward to. Son Tim, comes from Morrison a couple times a week to take care of some of my chores, offer any assistance he can and enjoy some wonderful times of sharing and fellowship. (4) The strong encouragement and support from the finest church family I could ever have, all of you who pray for me, offer comforting support through your cards and uplifting notes and verses, and are regularly encouraging me in so many ways.
Again I say thanks to all of you. What more could anyone ask than to have a recovery team like that!
Well, I now have no hair - I'm as bald as a cue ball. If I walked around with a lollipop in my mouth, I could pass for Kojak or if I put a ring in my ear, I could pass for Mr. Clean. Wait till you see me in my new hat! Meantime I'm trying to decide between the Elvis wig and the Ted Koppel look for my new hairpiece - relax, I'm just kidding.
Pastor Tim is scheduled to speak tomorrow morning, Pastor Dan next week, then Lord willing, I'll speak the next Sunday.
With much love and appreciation,
Pastor Brown