Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Health Update -- February 2008
With one month of 2008 already behind us, here’s a quick health update to let you know how things have been going for us during my treatment for colon cancer.
How Is It Going? There have been some encouraging signs of progress. In the last month, I’ve remained pain free and have been able to continue my bi-weekly treatments of chemo-therapy. A CT scan on January 25 reported no new tumors and a reduction in one spot under my right rib. Blood tests show a decline in cancer cell activity (CA125) from 154 in October to 64 in December to 14 in January. I am enjoying participation in the “Well Fit” exercise program for cancer patients at the University of Waterloo (http://www.uwfitness.uwaterloo.ca/wellfit/). However, the side-effects (nausea, fatigue) of treatment have become more severe and post-treatment recovery has been more difficult this month.
January Activities. In January, Dianne returned to work relief, doing a number of 3 or 4 hour evening shifts at Christian Horizons. We were also able to travel to Ottawa for six days to visit our daughter, Rebecca; son-in-law, Max; and our grand-daughter, Emilie. We’ve also had a parade of welcome visitors who have encouraged us during these snowy winter months.
Employment/Ministry Update. At the time of my diagnosis, I was about to make a job or ministry transition. With the news of my illness, Outreach Canada, the mission agency with which we were serving, extended their employment commitment to us, helping us through a very difficult time. This past month, Dianne and I decided we want to remain with Outreach Canada long term. At present, I am on “leave of absence” due to the present course of treatments. Our disability benefits care for our financial needs and our small part of the OC ministry budget has already been fully pledged by donors for 2008! Dianne and I are very grateful for the pastoral care provided by OC. If you want to know more about our relationship with Outreach Canada, you can visit our blog at http://ggibson.blogspot.com or the OC web-site at http://en.outreach.ca.
Looking Ahead. According to my oncologist, treatments will continue every two weeks as long as I can handle them and they are making progress against the cancer. Although the future is unclear, we’re keeping an optimistic short term outlook. We’re planning something special every month so that we have something to look forward to.
Glenn A. Gibson
How Is It Going? There have been some encouraging signs of progress. In the last month, I’ve remained pain free and have been able to continue my bi-weekly treatments of chemo-therapy. A CT scan on January 25 reported no new tumors and a reduction in one spot under my right rib. Blood tests show a decline in cancer cell activity (CA125) from 154 in October to 64 in December to 14 in January. I am enjoying participation in the “Well Fit” exercise program for cancer patients at the University of Waterloo (http://www.uwfitness.uwaterloo.ca/wellfit/). However, the side-effects (nausea, fatigue) of treatment have become more severe and post-treatment recovery has been more difficult this month.
January Activities. In January, Dianne returned to work relief, doing a number of 3 or 4 hour evening shifts at Christian Horizons. We were also able to travel to Ottawa for six days to visit our daughter, Rebecca; son-in-law, Max; and our grand-daughter, Emilie. We’ve also had a parade of welcome visitors who have encouraged us during these snowy winter months.
Employment/Ministry Update. At the time of my diagnosis, I was about to make a job or ministry transition. With the news of my illness, Outreach Canada, the mission agency with which we were serving, extended their employment commitment to us, helping us through a very difficult time. This past month, Dianne and I decided we want to remain with Outreach Canada long term. At present, I am on “leave of absence” due to the present course of treatments. Our disability benefits care for our financial needs and our small part of the OC ministry budget has already been fully pledged by donors for 2008! Dianne and I are very grateful for the pastoral care provided by OC. If you want to know more about our relationship with Outreach Canada, you can visit our blog at http://ggibson.blogspot.com or the OC web-site at http://en.outreach.ca.
Looking Ahead. According to my oncologist, treatments will continue every two weeks as long as I can handle them and they are making progress against the cancer. Although the future is unclear, we’re keeping an optimistic short term outlook. We’re planning something special every month so that we have something to look forward to.
Glenn A. Gibson
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Renewing Our Commitment with Outreach Canada
13 January 2008
Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
We are thankful for the years of ministry that we have had with Outreach Canada. The Lord has been working in our hearts and we have come to the conclusion together with Outreach Canada’s leadership that this is where we belong for the ministry to which God has called us. We are writing at this time to let you know of our commitment to Outreach Canada and theirs to us and want to communicate with you as our partners regarding our ongoing support needs for the 2008 ministry year.
Changing Course in 2007. As you may know, we had originally planned to make a move to a new ministry with another organization on September 1, 2007. Glenn’s cancer diagnosis and surgery in early August postponed that change. Outreach Canada graciously agreed to retain us to provide pastoral care as well as medical benefits for the months to follow. Many of you also responded to an appeal from OC with a generous gift or continued financial support in the final months of 2007 for which we are grateful.
Renewing Our Commitment. As we begin 2008, we have concluded that God is leading us to remain with Outreach Canada. We are grateful that OC have renewed their commitment to provide ongoing care for us. In the months ahead, Glenn will not have ministry responsibilities and will continue to receive treatment for colon cancer through the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre in Kitchener, ON. If chemo therapy is successful, there is the possibility of a return to active ministry sometime in the future.
Our 2008 Support Need. Disability benefits will be fully caring for our salary needs in the months ahead. However, we will still need about $900.00 per month in support to cover three primary costs: our medical benefits, our share of mission overhead, and our communication budget. To date, half of this amount has been pledged. We would really like to take this concern off our minds by raising the balance in cash gifts and pledges by the end of February. If you haven’t already done so, would you help us with the other half? A response card and envelope is included to assist you.
Our Challenge to You. If God’s healing touch enables Glenn to return to active service, we will definitely be in touch with you about ministry support needs. But, in the meantime, our OC Ontario teammates are still in need of ministry partners. If our remaining 2008 need is met in the weeks ahead, consider the possibility of redirecting your gift toward the ministry of Brian and Linda Baxter, Alison Johnson, or James and Cathi Watson. I appreciate so much the extra work load that they have picked up due to Glenn’s illness.
We plan to keep in touch in the months ahead. Thanks for your faithful support and care. Since the beginning of November, Glenn has completed six sessions of chemo-therapy. On January 25, he is scheduled for a CT scan on January 25 to assess developments. Bi-monthly treatments are expected to continue into the spring at which time we hope a clearer picture of his health and prospects will emerge. Pray for us as we move forward in 2008.
Sincerely in Christ
Glenn and Dianne Gibson
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
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Treatment Update -- Doing Okay
In the month since my last update, there have been some new developments in my health and treatment for colon cancer.
Viral Infection? In the last two weeks of October, I battled a fever daily, unrelated to the colon cancer. What now appears to have been a viral infection caused what was diagnosed on October 30 as a severe cardiomegaly (heart enlargement). However, one week later, testing showed a remarkable recovery (“I don’t know how to explain this”) allowing me to resume normal activities and to commence chemo-therapy the following day.
Chemo-Therapy. It was snowing outside on November 6 as I took my first chemo-therapy session. Our daughter, Rebecca, a resident in family medicine, sat with me through almost five hours of treatmen
t, providing companionship and coaching for a “treatment rookie”. I took home a little pump to help me finish the session over the next 48 hours. Although I have had some severe fatigue, a few digestion issues, and some upper body pain, the 12 days of recovery were relatively side-effect free – no severe nausea, no hair loss, no mouth sores, no skin irritations, or other challenges. The medication provided has made my treatment bearable. Dianne accompanied me on November 20 for the second chemo-therapy session and I’m doing pretty well in handling the second recovery period.Next? The next meeting with the oncologist is scheduled for December 3. Rebecca will accompany me to this appointment to review progress as well as make any modifications needed. My chemo-therapy sessions in December are currently scheduled for the 4th and 18th, assuming all goes well. A thorough assessment of my condition will probably occur after the completion of the sixth cycle of treatment.
Activities. Life is “home focused” right now. It’s great to have visitors to the house and be receiving so many calls and pieces of mail. We are looking forward to attending the graduation of our son, Paul, from his training program with the Toronto Fire Service on November 30. At Paul’s request, I will co-present to him (with the metro fire chief) his badge as a certified City of Toronto firefighter. We are very proud of him!
Perseverance. And speaking of perseverance (4.5 years from acceptance to badge for Paul!), we are finding we will need some of the same stuff. Our support team people keep encouraging us. The care we are receiving is excellent. Thanks for your prayers and contact. You can reach us at
ggibson@outeach.ca. GG
Sunday, October 28, 2007
End of October Cancer Treatment Update
Health Update. On October 3, we met with my oncologist at Grand River Regional Cancer Centre (GRRCC) in Kitchener to finalize the plan for chemo-therapy. On the 11th, a “porta-cath” was inserted in my chest as an outpatient procedure – it has healed well and is ready to go. Treatment was to commence on Monday October 22. The weekend of October 12 to 14, I felt great. However, the next day, I began to run a fever. Tests ruled out a surgical infection or a respiratory illness. It took five days of antibiotics and lots of bed rest to finally turn the corner. As a result, the start of treatment was delayed one week.
Treatment Plan. In a nut shell, here is what the treatment plan looks like:
The regime is “FOLFIRI” – a standard first line of treatment for colon cancer with the addition of “avastin”, a drug which reduces new blood vessel development to keep cancer cells from growing,
The cycle is a 14 day period of therapy and recovery – one half day visit to GRRCC before heading home with a portable pump to finish the drug treatment over the next two days; then 12 days of recovery at home,
The schedule, at present, has treatment visits to GRRCC on Monday October 29, Tuesday November 12, Monday November 26, and Monday December 10 – the total length of treatment is yet to be determined.
How Are We Doing? Thursday October 18 was a low point for us both. Not only was it a day of rain and pain for me, but also was my 55th birthday (now I can get the senior’s discount!). What a blessing, though, to have dinner that evening with our son and his wife and then to web-cam with our daughter and her husband. My family gave me a digital picture frame which brings their (and your) faces before me regularly.
Keep In Touch! We’re happy to hear from you anytime by calling at 519-576-4463 (home) or dropping us an e-mail at ggibson@outreach.ca or diannergibson@msn.com. Or you could leave a comment on his blog entry! GG
Monday, October 08, 2007
Thanksgiving in Kitchener
This past weekend, our family gathered for a thanksgiving dinner in Kitchener. Here's a picture of the gang taken at the time (for a closer look, click on the photo). GG
