Good evening. We have been deliberating today between a few possible treatment options. We were informed on Monday of an alternative treatment using diet and supplements to tackle the cancer based around the book by Phillip Day 'Cancer: Why were still dying to know the truth' and a clinic in Mexico's treatment of cancer. The diet is a strict vegan one and also uses apricot kernels, B17 and other supplements to starve the cancer and boost the immune system to kill it. There has never been a medical trial into this treatment but one of our families know of 2 people who went through this treatment and are alive 15 years later but still living with the cancer. It does not claim to be a cure and 100% successful as we are dealing with cancer but is an option God is allowing us to pray whether we should take. We are meeting a lady in Durham on Monday to discuss this treatment and how we would go about it. This would mean not taking the chemotherapy and so is a big decision for us to make. We would really love people to firstly pray for God to shut this door if it is not something we should do and secondly for wisdom to make the right decision.
James in chapter 1 v 5 says 'If any of you lacks wisdom you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given unto you'. The Lord gives generously when we ask and we are asking for wisdom in making the right choice. We were thinking today about how much we have been blessed since our difficult situation came about. Psalm 89 v 15 says 'blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence Lord.' We have been blessed and the Lord has been with us in it all.
Verse for the day: Psalm 46 (God is our refuge)
Prayer for the day: Please pray for Monday that if it is not the path we should be taking the Lord will close the door. Please pray for wisdom to make the right decision in which treatment we should do. Pray if it is just a 'quack' treatment this will be made clear to us. Pray for our families and for the Lord to support them during this difficult time. Pray for rest and recuperation. Pray for the Lord to heal my body from this disease.
I have been following your blog daily as usual, but have consciously held back from lengthy daily comments this week. I was beginning to fear I might be monopolising YOUR space for thought and reflection, Glen. But then again, it is your thoughts and reflections that are so profoundly impacting upon mine, and influencing my life and outlook so positively. So I hope you too feel it appropriate for me to communicate them with you in this way.
ReplyDeleteI usually read your evening blog first thing in the morning, as Stephen & I tend to turn in and rise early. This morning, as if often the case, I was roused even sooner than I wished by Dot, our youngest dog, whose appetite for watching the new day break in human company is far to keen (but difficult to ignore).
So I read and re-read about the new decision you face at about 5.30 a.m. and immediately began to struggle with a response. Eventually I deleted this, and allowed myself the luxury of rational and spiritual reflection during my swimming training and whilst walking the dogs. Now that we are all thoroughly satisfied from our physical activities, I at least feel mentally and spiritually fitter too. Even Stephen's buoyance and resillience to the pain and anxieties of his cancer have been boosted by the current Liverpool 2 - Man Utd 0 half-time scoreline!
So in this harmonious state, Chez McGrath, I have carefully and reflectively re-read all your news, developments and prayer from the past 7 days. What a busy and eventful week you have had (and for the most part enjoyed). God our Father has sustained you through mental and physical pain, the anxiety and uncertainty of a hospital visit and signing potentially critical medical documentation, the concern regarding the possible results of your biposy and an imminent brain scan. And throughout all this, He has also brought you the joys of quality time spent peacefully with your wonderful wife, several meals with loving and supportive friends, and the companionship and support of family over the weekend. What a shame that the Lord decreed that you must spoil a good walk with a game of golf, LOL!
Seriously, though, my point is that you ARE in God's compassionate, supremely loving, nurturing and guiding hands. So it may seem somewhat ironic or contradictory that He has introduced yet another possible choice to your already bewildering mix of information and options regarding your physical fight with (or against) the cancers currently attacking your mortal body. But we should all be confident that He has done so for good reason. Though this remains currently obscure to we his children on earth, we must be patient, submissive and trusting.
I pray that you have a safe and illuminating trip to Durham tomorrow and that God will provide some answers and assurance from this. May the Lord's will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
All very best love to Glen, Anne, their families and all who love them. T XXXXX
you're coming to Durham tomorrow? need a place to stay or a meal or anything? you can get my mobile no. via your mum from my mum if i can help in any way! gemma railton (if you haven't guessed...i live in durham!?!!)
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