First, I apologize for
not keeping this blog updated. We’ve been dealing with cancer, first on
my tongue then more recently in the lymph nodes on the left side of my
neck.
For those of you who may
be interested, I’d like to summarize in my own words what is going on, what is
coming and some of what we are learning. We also have a Caring Bridge site
that Sheryl set up and is updating periodically.
- Go to https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/daveshealthupdates
- or just caringbridge.org then use the "Search" tab and enter
"Dave Gehrls"
- Once on my site you can click on "Follow
Site" box to the upper right to get notices of Sheryl's new
posts.
We’re very thankful that
several friends made donations to Caring Bridge to support that ministry, which
is a blessing to so many.
In the future we will
share more on what the Lord is teaching us about faith and changing our lives duplicated both here and our personal ministry website at gehrls.net.
I’m not a professional
writer, so I’ll simply write what I would say in a conversation, which may not
always flow logically or systematically. I also won’t be overly concerned with
grammar and sentence construction, neither of which I understood well in
school...but thank the Lord for spellcheck on my computer!
The cancer in the lymph
node on the left side of my neck is about 2 inches, and aggressive. It’s intertwined with the
muscle and has already compromised my left jugular vein and some critical
nerves. A worst case scenario would involve removing the muscle and jugular
vein, then detaching part of my chest pectoral muscle, and reattaching it to
the mastoid bone to replace muscle that was removed. They will also be cutting
my neck from ear to ear and removing all suspect lymph nodes and one 6mm cancer
on the right side.
I have had four
surgeries on the right side of my tongue since last October and was cancer free last January.
Unfortunately, it has recurred and now includes the neck cancer. This next
surgery could involve removing up to 30% more of my tongue and require a graft
of skin, tissue and blood vessels from my arm for reconstructive surgery. Obviously,
that will mean extensive rehab to learn how to swallow and talk again.
While both of these
cancers are labeled Stage 4, so far they do not believe it has spread
throughout my body. While the surgery is
about as complicated as it can get, the surgeons are optimistic about its success.
The CT's, pathologies and other scans are not perfect so what will actually
happen will ultimately depend on what they find in the surgery.
The surgical team at
UNMC is one of the best in the country and they are scheduling 14 hours this
surgery. Then 6-10 days in the hospital with a feeding tube and a temporary tracheotomy until I can
swallow, and am past the high risk for infection.
After I have healed for
about a month, the team proposes 6 weeks of Radiation followed by Chemotherapy.
At this point, we don’t know those specifics.
How we are Sharing our
Faith with the Doctors:
I have shared with the
Doctors that I trust them as the best I could have and that while they can cut
me open, remove bad stuff and rearrange muscles and blood vessels then sew me
back up, only God can make those cells join back together and become
whole. I then said, "You are my Doctors, but God is my
Healer."
I shared that I believe
when God created the cosmos He designed certain atoms to combine into molecules,
creating chemicals that would have specific effects on living tissues. Thus God
designed medicine into creation as part of His provision for healing. God
also created and designed electrons to move through different metals thus
preparing the way for lights, computers, scopes, electronics to test my blood
and monitor my heart, and much more.
Last Fall, Dr Dobleman,
my ENT Surgeon in the early surgeries responded to me: "You are absolutely
correct. In fact God was the first thoracic surgeon when he took a rib from
Adam to create Eve." We then talked about how he prays for his patients
and asks God for wisdom and help.
I talked about how God
desires a partnership between medicine and faith and that we would do our part
on the faith side such that we were ready and that hundreds would be praying
not only for us but for them all day Thursday. Every doctor has encountered limits to
what they know and can can do...and all our doctors have acknowledged it and
thanked us.
Thus medicine needs God,
but God is not limited to medicine! Doctors are not all knowing, but our God is! Doctors are not all
powerful, but our God is! Christians are not immune from the realities of human
life. The Bible says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. We are
different in how we go through these things and what we become as we go through
them. We either get more beautiful or more bitter...more Christlike or less
like Jesus.
How we are
praying: While facing straight on
the full realities of cancer, we are standing on God's promises...praying and
believing for total healing.
If you ask us, you need
to be ready for an honest answer. We will not put on some artificial
"faith face" and the words some expect from leaders. Some days God
feels distant and Satan tries in various ways, again, to distract our eyes from
Jesus. Some days we are full of faith and joy, but we have also had our bad days
and at times in tears we then choose to turn our eyes back on Jesus and trust
Him for the "Greater Grace" we need for that day which He has
promised.
5 Or do
you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously
desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He
gives a greater grace. Therefore it says,
“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit therefore
to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw
near to God and He will draw near
to you. -James 4:5-8 NASB
My commitment is
that "It is better to die in faith than live in doubt."
"Lord, I believe. Help me to overcome my unbelief." is
a valid Biblical Prayer. Jesus has experienced everything we are feeling and
going through.
How you can pray:
- I do not want to go through the painful days just ahead
and neither does Sheryl...unless the Lord decides that is the best way for
Him to accomplish His purposes in allowing this. God did not send this,
but He has allowed it and will use it for our good and His Glory.
- My greatest fear is leaving Sheryl. Many years ago, I
promised her I would live longer than her so she would never be alone...I
am asking God to help me keep that promise.
- I know God doesn't need me, but I would like to finish
my assignments. As with my triple bypass, my goal is not just survival but
rather completing the destiny I feel He put in my heart.
- Pray and agree with us as we are asking and believing
that the big lump of cancer on my neck will just disappear before
surgery...or that when they open me up they see that God had gone in
first.
- Pray with us for the "Greater Grace" we need.
- Pray that we have wisdom in making various decisions so
our witness is clear and Jesus is lifted up in all our words and actions.
- Like with my bypass, Sheryl is already going into
"Command Mode" when needed, but will also face moments of fear
and confusion in spiritual attacks. We are not super-spiritual people with
great faith...just committed to trusting and obeying our Super, ALL
powerful, Great God.
- This morning I woke up in extreme pain as I have the
last few days from the growing tumors and reduced medications prior
to surgery. But I was hearing a hymn in my head that was almost
audible. I have been awakened over a dozen times to various hymns in my
head with words and music that felt like I had a headset on. This morning
as I was crying out to God about extreme pain the tears started
uncontrollably flowing as I clearly heard the music and words from a
great hymn flowing so clearly:
Holy,
Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early
in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy,
Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
My God is Holy! My God is Almighty!
My God is MERCIFUL and MIGHTY!
and
God in Mercy again poured out "Greater Grace".
Out of time and I need
to finish getting ready to be at UNMC at 5:30 AM.
Sheryl will be handling
all communications for the next week or more through Caring Bridge and Sheryl@gehrls.net
Blessings and thank you
if you actually read all the way down to this.
Dave
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