Monday, September 15, 2008

Three times a day

Do you really believe He created us?
Do you really believe He parted a sea for His people?
Was He the muscle behind the little boy who defeated the giant?
Was He the fourth man loose in the fire?
Did he shut those lions' mouths?

King Darius sure was convinced. Shortly after the event took place, he wrote to all his people:

"I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."

Since I last communicated with you, the ride sure has been bumpy. As most of you know by now, we made it home from the unfortunate pupil incident without too much drama. I was released from the hospital on Friday and have been resting at home since. The source of my increased mouth pain, my fatigue, and my not-so-normal blood work remained a mystery as we were not offered definitive answers at the time of discharge.

Today, things became a bit clearer. We saw my radiation oncologist who believes that there is resistant tumor on my tongue and probably in my neck. This, at the very least, explains my increased pain. He had spoken with the orthopedic oncologist, and they agree that radiating my right hip, which had been the plan, is no longer in my best interest. Since the orthopedist is certain he removed all the tumor that is there currently, both of them consider it better to proceed with attacking the resistant tumor in my oral cavity and neck along with my lungs (it was mentioned in an earlier post that I have about 10 small nodules in both right and left) first. The hip is not an imminent threat now, but the tongue, neck, and lungs are.

The plan is for me to see my oncologist, Dr. Gilbert, on Wednesday. She has already discussed possible trial therapies. Nothing she has to offer me is considered curative, but she believes we can add to the length and quality of my life possibly. We will further discuss these trial therapies along with a plan for moving forward on Wednesday.

Some of you might expect me to go quietly at this point, which is really one of the main reasons I write tonight. Why is it hard to believe that God can heal me from extremely aggressive cancer when we have no doubt that the same God created this universe? Like my sister said, "God is still so much bigger than all of this!"

I love all of you. Keep praying and believing. It is not naive - it is a chance to interact personally with the one true, living God.

Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. -Daniel 6:10

Thank you for getting on your knees for me.


23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Praise God for my knowing you and having you for my doctor. Oh how I have missed you. I have found Zoe Life Church(or lets say Pastor Tony Vinson found me and led me to his Church) Sunday while at Church Pastor Gary's wife Jennifer told us what you had been going through and we prayed for you. She e-mailed me your blog. I am so very greatful to her for that. I am so blessed for having known you and your prayers. "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE" for our Father and I believe in HIS HEALING POWERS, you are in my prayers. Your patient Nancy Tobola

Anonymous said...

Oh Daniel, how you instill such faith in me. I am honored to fall to my knees and pray on your behalf, and to give my life fully over to the One and only, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Your words completely fill my heart and move me.
I wish I could just squeeze you and thank you personally for your faithhfulness in Him.
Still praying and keeping the faith! :O)
Tiffany Madish

Anonymous said...

As I was reading this, I like to think of you as the 4th man in the fire. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were already in there knowing you would be thrown into this situation. Yay, we have a God who goes before us and never leaves us.

PRAYING!!!

Anonymous said...

Daniel, we're praying for you, buddy. You are still the fragrance of life in Christ. We love ya, buddy.
Wayne & Carrie
2 Cor 2:14-15

Shay Scott said...

Daniel,
Shanle and I are continuing without ceasing to petition God for healing. He IS able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ever ask or imagine--I can imagine you cancer-free. Shay

Anonymous said...

Daniel,

Expect you to go quietly? Are you kidding? Not in a million years. We are praying for you and are so encouraged by your amazing testimony in the midst of all this.

In Christ,
Frank and Stephanie(Roy)Crichton

Anonymous said...

Dear Daniel-you have been and will continue to be in my prayers. It is so ironic that just tonight I was reading our son Jackson his nighttime Bible story which was about the "fourth man in the fire". It brought tears to my eyes when you mentioned this passage in your post today.

I am sending you strength, continued courage, and lots of love across the miles.

Love ya lots!

Michele McManus Howard

Anonymous said...

hey D
I was reminded that Daniel of the Bible was saved by God because of his faith. God performed a miracle for Him. We are believing that and praying that for you. Love you! Rebecca & Samantha

Anonymous said...

Daniel, thanks for continuing to point us to the One True God. Our family is in believing prayer for you and our Father's ability to heal You. Cancer is not for sissy's, you are being given the strength of "Daniel" even now... Keep it up, Lord!
Believing in Him and Praying for you,
The (R,L,C,D&G) Smiths

Anonymous said...

We are believing with you and WILL NOT STOP praying and expecting mighty things from our God on your behalf. Pray on, Daniel. We are with you.

Maela & Shane

Aimee said...

Daniel, Just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts everyday. Your faith is incredible and inspirational. May God's will be done.

Anonymous said...

Daniel,
I just love you! We are still on our knees for you my friend.
love,
Sandy

Anonymous said...

Hi Sweet friend! I'm definitely on my knees for you! I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you are SUCH an inspiration to all who are reading your blog. I love you dearly and you've helped me renew some faith myself. Lots of love to you sweetie!! I'm praying! Cindy

Anonymous said...

Daniel, thank you for keeping all of us updated on your health. You continue to be such an inspiration and I'm praying for you.
Lots of love,
Andrea

Anonymous said...

I came to know you and this part of your life from Amy B's blog. Your faith evokes prayers from me that are wordless. In Jesus' name and his promise to lift you up to The Father is the promise that leads me since I am at a loss for adequate words for you in my prayers.

Please feel all the angels surrounding you praying for you and for Jesus lifting up your faith and our prayers to God.

I believe you too are an angel on this Earth and thank you for helping my faith grow stronger.

s

Anonymous said...

Daniel,
What a blessing you are to so many people! Thank you for being so very faithful to our Father and for making all of us want to be more faithful. We will anxiously await the outcome of Wed visit with the oncologist to hear the treatment plan. I pray you can get some relief from this horrific physical pain. God is STILL in control and I truly believe HE is still in the miracle business! He is THE GREAT PHYSCICIAN and we must rely on that. Keep the faith, Daniel. We will continue to lift you and your family up in prayer. We gladly get on our knees to pray for you! It is an honor to lift your name up in specific prayer several times a day. Keep fighting the fight and know your MS family loves you!
In Him
Tammy and family

Unknown said...

Dear friend,

Elijah and I are praying for you and missing you terribly. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers and that we are approaching the throne of grace on your behalf with great boldness. Press on, Daniel.

Stacey, Elijah and Olivia

Mom2rayray&colten said...

The fighter that you are, I know there is no going quietly for you!!!

We still pray daily... Thank you for Keeping Up the Fight. Your strenghth is so inspiring,I'm a stronger person from it.

We love you!!
Melissa

Leah said...

Hey D. I know that I know that you would not "go quietly" any where or at any time. Your faith encourages and challenges me. I know the Lord is proud of you and is using you to teach and challenge others. In the Bible names always had special meanings and it's no coincidence that your parents named you "Daniel". I continue to lift you and wait expectantly for a great healing for you from our Father!!

Love,
Leah McRae

Anonymous said...

Daniel, We are still praying for you everyday. I know that He is pouring out his grace on your life even now. Thanks for letting us share in this with you.

Anonymous said...

Daniel, Your bravery through Christ Jesus continues to amaze us. Your faithfulness and persistence in believing God can move mountains humbles and inspires us. We will not go quietly, but will continue to pray without ceasing for your healing. Know that we are praying for your comfort and praying that the loving arms of Jesus will hug you every day. You are loved and always in our hearts my sweet friend. Heather Guffee Burgiss

Anonymous said...

Daniel still praying and thinking of you, In His Precious Name Nancy Tobola

Biter said...

Daniel,

God is the Great Physician, and he is not limited by science or medicine or human statistics. He has the power in one breath to change the course of your life and overthrow a prognosis without warning. Medicine is filled with stories that become baffling, inexplicable, indefinite, and indeterminate. I believe that God can intervene at ANY moment now for you, and that is my prayer! Keep fighting, Daniel...Stay the course...Take heart...and know how much you are incredibly loved,

Amy