On Saturday Nov. 11th 2007, I noticed that my stomach felt a little
queasy while I was at Paul & Penny Ducote's house for a dinner party. I
remember because there was a lot of good food, and I didn't feel like
eating.
By Monday night I was in McAllen TX, feeling worse by the minute...I
spent all day Tuesday the 13th in bed. Called Missy and told her I was
coming home.
On Wednesday I almost changed my mind. I was feeling much better.
But I decided that I needed to go ahead and see my GP (Dr. E) anyway.
Doc E was distressed that I was yellow (jaundiced). She had me go in
that day for a blood test and ultrasound...by 4:30 on the 14th She had a
referral ready for me, suspecting a gall stone or possibly hepatitis.
So, off I go to Dr. J, whom I had dealing with in the past and trusted. It's
Friday the 16th of Nov. Missy and I are very worried (about hepatitis).
Dr. J explains that the ultrasound was inconclusive, but the blood work
worried him, (wouldn't know about hepatitis until Saturday sometime)
he would like me to check-in to the hospital immediately for further test
that would better identify why bile wasn't passing threw the bile duct...I
was still thinking gall stone or infection from hepatitis.
So, Missy at my side, in we go. CT scan, blood work, poking and
prodding all between 3:00 and 5:00pm...but, of course, those "evil" night
nurses wakes you up every 45 minute to do some test that should wait
till morning. (let me ask you, if I startle you awake at 2:45am, do you
think your blood pressure will be high? Pulse quickened?)
Saturday, Nov. 17th, shortly after 3:00pm, Dr F, Dr. J's partner, came in
to go over the test's with us...The hepatitis test's are negative...Missy
and I exhale loudly and laugh nervously...what a relief...for all of 10
seconds. Dr. F stops our celebration abruptly. He is not happy that he
still doesn't know why the bile duct is not flowing and wants to have an
MRI done immediately. Now I get it, they are worried that something
much worse is going on (Missy got it at the same moment). Dr. F goes
on to explain that there are several possibilities, cancer among
them...needless to say we had the MRI immediately.
Results would not be ready until Monday, so they discharged us after
the MRI. I have to tell you, Satan worked hard Sunday the 18th, but
failed.
Things go fast from this point so I'm going to abbreviate the rest of this
story.
Monday morning, Dr. F called to set up an afternoon appointment, I
pressured him to answer the question, Cancer? Yes....
Saw Dr. J at 3:00, had to find a Doc to perform a ERCP. It's
Thanksgiving week, but Dr. L agrees to do it Wednesday Nov. 21st (this
places a stent in bile duct, and ultrasound's, and biopsy). A very painful
operation, but it didn't last long, I was on my feet by Friday Nov. 23rd.
Had to wait until Monday Nov. 26th for biopsy results...Positve,
Adenocarcinoma...Pancreatic Cancer.
Now we know... Time to go to work! Calling on friends and family...lets
get into M.D. Anderson as Quick as possible...Paul put out the
word...Sue and friends answered...I had a referral to M.D. Anderson for
Friday Nov. 30th. Dr. Fm orders more tests on Friday.
Back to see Dr. Fm 10:00am Monday, results explained, options
discussed, plan chosen...the most aggressive treatment
available...(Referred to as GTX protocol or procedure if you want to look
it up). 14day on 7 days off, minimum 3 cycles. The meds are extremely
potent, but the pro's have come up with side effect minimizing meds to
make life much more normal.
I have Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer, metastases to the liver and lymph
nodes adjacent to the pancreas only. Last CT showed the rest of the
body clear.
If you hear of clinical trials or other procedures that are applicable to the
above condition please pass it on to me. All Alternatives will be
considered, by both me and my Doctor. Thanks in advance.
So, in the last five weeks, my family and I have had to adjust our
thinking from stomach virus, to hepatitis, to cancer...
I'm happy to say that we are all on the same page, we aren't
stopping...
Read on and read the rest of the story... (Below)
How Our Faith Makes Each Day Blessed
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The Challenge
| The following is an exchange of messages that I hope moves you as much as it did me. |
The reason I am writing is to let you know that I too am a believer! NEVER give up. Miracles happen. I'll try to keep the story short. In May of 1986, my older brother was diagnosed with Cancer. Tests showed that he had 6 tumors on his lungs. Four on one and two on the other. Doctors gave him no more than six months to live. Being good Catholics, our family rallied and prayed for a miracle. Being from a large family (9 brothers and 4 sister) we decided to make a pilgrimage to the church of "Our Lady of San Juan" in San Juan, Texas (the Valley). We prayed to God, and we prayed to Mary, the Mother of God for her intercession. We did not know how our prayers would be answered, but we knew that GOD answers ALL prayers!! My brothers and I, along with some family and friends, ran (taking turns relaying) from my brothers house in San Antonio, to Our Lady of San Juan Basilica in the Valley. After approximately 28 hours of running, we got to the Basilica, where the Priest awaited us. We prayed. What else could we do? Six weeks passed when my brother got a phone call from the Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, asking if he would be interested in participating in clinical trials for an experimental drug. This was part one of the miracle. After nearly dying from the side effects of the drug, six weeks later, tests showed that four of the tumors were completely gone and the remaining two were well shrunk. Doctors and family convinced him to run a second course and again six weeks later, tests showed that the tumors were completely gone. The miracle completed!! My brother lived another 15 years of quality life. Prayer is powerful. God is good! Mary, the Mother of God, does interceed for us!!, my prayers are with you and your family. If you would like, I would like to pass your name on to our "Prayer Warriors". We are a group of friends that pray for the needs of all who want and need prayers. God Bless You. Your Brother in Christ,---------------------Art Art N. |
| My Response: |
Hello Art,
Your brothers story brings tears to my heart...and an answer to a question!
First, his story is wonderful and brings me hope...but especially since I
made the pilgrimage to the church of "Our Lady of San Juan" last Tuesday.
I always pray for others, and I always pray for thanksgiving, but for me I
always pray that God's will be done with my life, nothing more nothing less.
I left San Juan with only one additional request of the Lord, that the Lord let
me know that my prayers at San Juan were heard. Today I get the message
from you! Not only of prayers heard, but Miracles happening! Praise God!
Your subject line "Believe!!!" is the answer to my question, although I didn't
know that until I read your message...and if the hair on the back of your
neck isn't tingling right now, it should be, for you have just been used to
deliver a message from GOD!
Prayer:
Thank you God, for giving Art the courage to share his message and
testament with me, a stranger. Give us both strength to do your will always,
and to testify to your greatness often. Amen!
Your new Brother,
Mark Birch
Your brothers story brings tears to my heart...and an answer to a question!
First, his story is wonderful and brings me hope...but especially since I
made the pilgrimage to the church of "Our Lady of San Juan" last Tuesday.
I always pray for others, and I always pray for thanksgiving, but for me I
always pray that God's will be done with my life, nothing more nothing less.
I left San Juan with only one additional request of the Lord, that the Lord let
me know that my prayers at San Juan were heard. Today I get the message
from you! Not only of prayers heard, but Miracles happening! Praise God!
Your subject line "Believe!!!" is the answer to my question, although I didn't
know that until I read your message...and if the hair on the back of your
neck isn't tingling right now, it should be, for you have just been used to
deliver a message from GOD!
Prayer:
Thank you God, for giving Art the courage to share his message and
testament with me, a stranger. Give us both strength to do your will always,
and to testify to your greatness often. Amen!
Your new Brother,
Mark Birch
| Art and I have since talked, and are both humbled and awed by this chain of events. When I pray I seldom ask for anything for myself and what I prayed for was mostly family...I asked Mary to be my advocate...then I asked that God let me know that these particular prayer were heard. God has sent me bat! No mistaking this answer! |
I believe in a higher power than man. I believe in Jesus Christ! I
believe that all things are possible through Christ! We must have
That Faith is sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit, which we
nurture in our souls by our joyous prayers. Remember "...When two
or more are gathered in His name..."
This Trinity of Faith in Father, Son and Holy Spirit allows miracles
to happen!
But I have no idea how I fit into His plan, but I think that when I
complete my part He will let me know. I don't think I'm there yet . I
have Faith that all of us are given the gift of life and are intended to
hold it precious...I see that even the smallest of God's creatures
fights to survive...and so will I !!
Thanks to all of you that have offered prayers for me, they are
strengthening me! Pray " ...Thy will be done". And always, alway
remember to thank Him for the good things!
Most of you know me, you know that I have not been a saint, you
know my sins...we all sin...but know this too, I have always asked
Christ's forgiveness and I know that it is given.
Many of you have sat and testified to me, as I have to you...lets all do
more of that...When we do, our opportunity for sin declines, and the
Spirit Soars!
believe that all things are possible through Christ! We must have
That Faith is sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit, which we
nurture in our souls by our joyous prayers. Remember "...When two
or more are gathered in His name..."
This Trinity of Faith in Father, Son and Holy Spirit allows miracles
to happen!
But I have no idea how I fit into His plan, but I think that when I
complete my part He will let me know. I don't think I'm there yet . I
have Faith that all of us are given the gift of life and are intended to
hold it precious...I see that even the smallest of God's creatures
fights to survive...and so will I !!
Thanks to all of you that have offered prayers for me, they are
strengthening me! Pray " ...Thy will be done". And always, alway
remember to thank Him for the good things!
Most of you know me, you know that I have not been a saint, you
know my sins...we all sin...but know this too, I have always asked
Christ's forgiveness and I know that it is given.
Many of you have sat and testified to me, as I have to you...lets all do
more of that...When we do, our opportunity for sin declines, and the
Spirit Soars!
I want to share my journey of the last year with everyone looking for hope. I pray that this helps you find it! I was biopsied November 24, 2007 and diagnosed December 1st, 2007. It has been a year! The diagnosis was, Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer, Mets to the Liver and Local Lymphnodes, vascular involvement, inoperable, 3-6 months to live. I was 52, now 53. The December 2007 CT scan at MD Anderson showed 8-12 mets of different sizes in the liver, swelling of the lympnodes associated with the pancreas and the head of the pancreas measured 6cm in size (2 - 2-1/2cm is normal). The head of the pancreas pressed against the portal vein. Not a good situation! I'm married and have three daughters 23, 20 & 17. One just out of college, one in college and the third on her way (senior in high school). I started Chemo (GTX) in early December 2007. I'm mid way thru my 18th cycle (2 weeks on, one week off). Things have gone well! The second CT scan was in Feb. 2008, they couldn't find any of the "spots" in the liver. and the head of the pancreas had shrunk to 4-1//2cm, lymphnodes looked normal. April 2008, still nothing in the liver or lympnodes, head of the pancreas shrunk to 3-1/2cm but still pressing against the blood vessels. My oldest daughter Sarah got married in June and I gave her away and danced at her wedding!!! June 2008, CT scan "No indication of mets in the liver, no indication of tumor in the head of the pancreas, appears normal is size and function. Lympnodes normal. Slight involvement of pancreas with Portal vein." Aug 2008 was the same...Nov 2008 the same, but now NO involvement with the portal vein. I have lived an almost normal life, with few problems. I made sure to give as much time to my family and friends as they could stand! I attribute all of this to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who heard the prayers of my family and friends and chose to give me more time to fulfill my purpose. For which I am eternally grateful. God Bless all of you ! |
Jesus Christ, The Good News
"I am the the way, and the truth, and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me. "
- John 24:6
one comes to the Father except through me. "
- John 24:6
| Personal Testimony |
| "Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying a heavy burden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matt 11:28-30 |
What comfort the words of our Savior give to us. What peace
and rest, when we succumb to His will and give up ours.
And how very strange that concept was to me before I
accepted Jesus. I was very much centered around my will.
The notion that I should give up my will and my desires for
anyone or anything else was weak. I wanted what I wanted,
and when I wanted it! And God help anyone that got in my
way!
I actually got my way often enough to believe that my will, my
way, was working. That was simply the trap Satan used on
me. But, as time passed, the more my will failed. The more
my will failed the more I realized that it wasn't my will after all.
I was simply responding and reacting to the ever increasing
errors that I was making. My will led me to sin and
depression. And when I hit rock bottom I cried out for God's
help. That's when the change started. I came to Him, I
dropped my heavy burden at His feet... He gave me rest. As I
learned from Him (still learning) I exchanged my will for His,
my yoke for His and found the rest for my soul that was so
needed.
Matthew 11:28-30 is so real, so true, and so joyous to me... I
hope you reflect on these words from Christ and they make
you stronger.
God Bless,
Mark
and rest, when we succumb to His will and give up ours.
And how very strange that concept was to me before I
accepted Jesus. I was very much centered around my will.
The notion that I should give up my will and my desires for
anyone or anything else was weak. I wanted what I wanted,
and when I wanted it! And God help anyone that got in my
way!
I actually got my way often enough to believe that my will, my
way, was working. That was simply the trap Satan used on
me. But, as time passed, the more my will failed. The more
my will failed the more I realized that it wasn't my will after all.
I was simply responding and reacting to the ever increasing
errors that I was making. My will led me to sin and
depression. And when I hit rock bottom I cried out for God's
help. That's when the change started. I came to Him, I
dropped my heavy burden at His feet... He gave me rest. As I
learned from Him (still learning) I exchanged my will for His,
my yoke for His and found the rest for my soul that was so
needed.
Matthew 11:28-30 is so real, so true, and so joyous to me... I
hope you reflect on these words from Christ and they make
you stronger.
God Bless,
Mark
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