Director's Web Blog

This blog is under construction so that soon people will be able to post comments directly. I received this wonderful e-mail from retired Village Missionary Jim Scanlon. Jim and Delores will soon be serving in Friant, CA as Associates.  Our Associate Program allows retired missionaries or even layman to serve our churches on an interim basis while the church waits for permanent leadership. To learn more http://www.village-missions.org/serve/ministry-associate.php

Here is the e-mail:

My Dear Brother
Read you comments in Country Matters with great interest. As another who has been blessed with prostate cancer, your comments were great.

You, as was I, are very fortunate to have your cancer found early. That is the most important part of detection, getting it early. Seems to me that, as you  said, far too many of our missionaries are neglecting their health. Some are just suffering from some “macho” attitude about going to a doctor. Some may have a form of thinking that says they are too busy to get a physical and neglect their duties, even for a few hours. I suspect that many of these are the ones who never take a day off and are reluctant to take vacation. I know, Brian, that you can’t force them, only encourage. However, they need to get it done before it is too late.

When my cancer was detected my urologist, Dr. Fawcett if that isn’t a hoot, gave me some good recommendations. The first one was not to worry. I wasn’t worried, concerned, but knew the whole thing was in the Lord’s hands. He also told me to get as many second opinions as I needed. I spent nearly two hours with a cancer specialist who was part of the team that developed the seed treatment. His advice to me, based on my age and the size of the cancer, was to have the prostate removed. He reasoned that if I had the seeds and the cancer returned the surgery would be complicated by the burning the seeds do.

It has been seven years since my surgery and the PSA reading at my most recent blood test, last Friday, was still >.1. Doesn’t get any lower than  that.

I was fortunate in that I never had any incontinence or other problems. The hardest part was wearing a catheter for several weeks. Of, course, you have Mike in the office next to you who is a great source for information on the latest methods.

Brian, in any cancer, you suffer alone. Yes, Carole your children, family and friends are there with you and hurting for you. However, it is Brian that faces the treatments and the future as a cancer survivor. As you well know, the LORD is your strength and your shield, and HE will see you through this trial, as he has others in the past. The difference is that this time it is something that was beyond your control and HE can use it to bring Glory to Himself as you turn your cancer in to a positive event for His use and glory. If you haven’t read it yet, John Piper wrote a wonderful short essay when he found he had prostate cancer. I believe it is on his web site.

In the time prior to my surgery Delores and our family and friends were a great support to me. No one dwelt on the issue, but the concern and love was very evident. After the surgery De was my number one nurse, physical therapist and guide in my life. Without her at my side it would have been very difficult. I don’t think I have ever prayed as much as I did in those months and continue to give thanks to our Loving Father for His watch care over me and His showering De with His love.

We are anticipating a good report concerning the decision you make for treatment and for the eradication of the cancer, no matter what form of treatment you follow.
We will be praying for you and Carole during this trying time.

In HIS Love
Jim & De Scanlon

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 19th, 2007 at 5:12 pm and is filed under Director's Web Blog, cancer, medical. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.