Sunday, December 23, 2007
December Health Update from Glenn
With Christmas coming, it’s time for a year end update on developments in my health and treatment for colon cancer.
How’s It Going? The last four weeks have gone well. Treatments have proceeded on schedule. I’ve had minimal side-effects. I was able on November 30 to attend the graduation of our son, Paul, from the Training Academy of the Toronto Fire Service as well as the Wilsher (Dianne’s) Family Christmas on December 15 in London, Ontario. I’ve enrolled in a “Well-Fit” exercise class for cancer patients (an hour on Wednesday and Friday) at the University of Waterloo. Dianne and I also walk a couple of mornings per week at the indoor track at the Waterloo Recreation Centre. I’ve had a lot of visitors and thoroughly enjoyed some deep conversations with many of my best friends. After the last chemo treatment (my 4th), I had my first bout of nausea and spent a night in various shades of green. But I’m feeling better now thanks to some effective medication.
Adjustment of Outlook. My attitude has been quite aggressive toward my illness. This has led to some times of private frustration toward my cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. Recently, a colleague dropped by our place with his daughter. She gave me a stuffed animal. Later that day,
I started a series of e-mails with her Dad to come up with a name for my new cuddly polar bear. I suggested the names of a couple of hockey players renowned for their fighting who would remind me to fight the cancer. My friend’s daughter suggested “Snowy” in a message that crossed with mine in the mail. My first reaction was that I needed something more aggressive. But, as I sat in my rocking chair looking out at the snow, I adjusted my outlook from “aggression” to “acceptance”. So, while it’s “snowy”, I will rest, accept treatment, and stop struggling. Thanks to a 10 year old Christmas angel with a message that has to help me deal with frustration. Looking Ahead. We happy to have our daughter, Rebecca, and family here for a four day visit from Ottawa. The Gibson family Christmas on December 24 will be hosted by our son, Paul, and his wife, Heather, in their new home in Baden, Ontario. I’ll spend the last day of the year at my fifth chemo treatment and will then be assessed for progress following session #6 on January 14. Glenn Gibson
Friday, December 07, 2007
Motivation -- A Slice from a Cancer Experience
In a recent e-mail exchange with my friend, Jay Pinney, he asked the question: "How do you keep yourself going?"
After writing a reply entitled, "Motivation", Jay wrote back: "I would encourage you to send it out with one of your health reports. It seems to be a spiritual health report of some kind which might be encouraging for those who haven’t gotten it right from the horse’s mouth."
So, here it is in edited form:
I'm a natural optimist. In addition, I've been feeling well during the last three weeks and have a fair bit of energy. I'm walking at an indoor track a couple of times a week and have just joined an exercise class at the University of Waterloo for cancer patients. The side-effects from chemo have been minimal and my oncologist is surprised and impressed with the progress I'm making with treatment. There are hundreds of people that are praying for me regularly. I have enough insurance. My family and church have provided incredible support all during this illness. I am having a surprising ministry influence from a place of confinement -- e-mail, phone calls, people coming to see me.
Life is precious and is meant to be lived regardless. That's one of the big learnings of the present time. During my chemo treatment on Tuesday, my daughter asked me if I had a list of things I would like to do before life is done. I listed a half dozen small things (two small trips and a few little one day experiences), but realized that I don't have a lot of frustrations or regrets. My life is good. I've left a substantial ministry legacy over 30 years. I could do another productive chapter of ministry if the Lord restores my health, but I could finish sooner. I feel like my life has been well lived. An illness like this has a way of sorting what matters and what doesn't. Most of what I've invested in has been in the first category and that feels good.
Last year, I read Rick Warren's book, "The Purpose Driven Life" and worked through the journal tool that goes with it. Just a few weeks ago, I re-read what I journalled then. It was gratifying to reflect again on how God is in control and is working in the circumstances of my present life. What I read and wrote is all still true now that cancer is here. Whether God glorifies Himself through delivering me from cancer or preserving me while suffering through it remains to be seen. Running the race to the end ...
Glenn A. Gibson
