The CT scan of Daniel's chest, abdomen, and pelvis were completed this afternoon, and they brought troubling results. The lesions in his lungs have grown, and there are more now than before. His liver and spleen also contain lesions.
The doctor said there is always the possibility that these lesions are infection and not cancer, but she doesn't really believe that. She said she could do a lung biopsy to be sure. But that's not what Daniel wants. Medically, there aren't many options.
Daniel can choose to begin chemotherapy next week (but his body may not be able to handle it), or he may elect to go home with adequate pain control and consider taking a similar chemo in pill form through his feeding tube. He may also decide he's tired and do neither. We will support whichever path he wants to take. Those are tough words to write, say, think, and believe; but they're what he needs.
When I asked Daniel what he wanted me to write about how he feels, he said to tell you all, "We will not stop trusting God to do His will." Oh, what a man of faith!
Daniel and the family need your prayers as we continue this journey.
Please continue to help us pray for miraculous healing.
As a friend pointed out to me, no matter what happens, it will not change the character of God! God is good. He is faithful. He is always right. We will love Him, praise Him, serve Him!
Thank you all for loving my Brother . . .
Doug
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
28 comments:
Daniel and family-
I just got done reading your chart for the night and then decided to check in on your blog. My heart broke when I read the results of your CT scans. I am so sad tonight, too. I know that you all will make the right decisions regarding what to do next regarding treatments, etc. I pray that you somehow have a good night. I will see you all on Monday morning.
Take care, my friends.
Jill Nelson
Daniel and family,
I am a pharmaceutical rep that has called on Daniel's clinic in Sparta for almost a year. All I can say is that God IS still in control!! It is so hard for us as humans to comprehend what that actually means, but Daniel has taught us all so well through his unwavering faith. Know that my family and friends WILL NOT stop praying for Daniel and all of you! There may be tough days ahead, but we must all trust that God is doing something amazing through all of this! Thank you all so much for sharing your faith and unquenchable desire to serve HIM no matter what obstacles stand before you!
Chris Hare (Amrix Rep)
Romans 12:1-2
Daniel, Doug and family,
I will not stop praying. I love you all.
Shay
Praying for comfort and strength for all of you. My heart aches for Daniel and for all those that love him.
There is so much I don't understand. But Daniel is ministering to me, and so many others I know, while he is so sick. Praise God for his amazing faith.
IJUST READ WHAT DOUG WROTE.NO MATTER WHAT GODS WILL IS DANIEL YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A WINNER. YOUR FAITH IS INSPIRING AND A BLESSING TO ME WE TALKED MANY TIMES @ THE BOWLING ALLEY ABOUT OUR FAITH NEVER KNOWING IT WAS ABOUT TO BE TESTED. I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR TOTAL HEALING. WE SERVE A MIGHT GOD WHO CAN FIX ANYTHING IF ITS HIS WILL.
ALL MY LOVE AND PRAYERS
IRENE
No Doug, thank your brother for loving us all, no matter what!!!
We WILL NOT give up on our Lord and His will!!
He has always been the rock no matter the circumstance, our Daniel is truly one of our Lord's SOLIDERS!!
I pray continually for you and your family to have peace with all of this. I know you are all exhausted physically and mentally. My heart is so sad right now I hardly know what to say except I love you all and pray for you all.
Love,
Melissa
May the LORD, our firm foundation, grant you wisdom, peace, strength. I am thankful that God does not grow weary--he does not sleep--he is faithful--he will be glorified. The heart of the Father sings over you, his children. Continuing to pray...
Jennifer PInkner
I am praying for wisdom, peace, rest and continue to pray for total healing! I also pray for lost souls reading this or coming into contact with you and your family to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I love you and will not give up!
Ashley
Daniel - I just wanted you to know that I am continually praying for you and your strength, healing and comfort. My God continue to bless you in the days that lay ahead. Tamara
Doug, Daniel, and Family,
My heart cries out tonight and i know that our Lord hears those cries and lifts them up. We pray for you all for strength, not just phyisical strength but mental and spiritual as well. My heart is heavy for I know the pain he is feeling and he is such a brave and strong fellow. We pray for his healing and his peace. He needs relief for his discomforts and pain. He needs rest. He needs the love of all he has around him. And we send him his love from us everyday. We pray for God to be with you and your family in this time of needs. May God continue to lift you in his arms through this storm and soon Daniel maybe we can dance in the rain. We love you brother...Kim and Robert Marascalco
Daniel - as your journey takes new roads I pray for your strength, peace, freedom from pain, and your continued will to glorify our Father. We know God is in control and we are merely a vessel to deliver his desires. May God bless you and your family. You continue to amaze those who know you.
God is with you -
Sean Smithey
Daniel and family-
My heart is heavy this morning as I read Doug's update. Yet, I continue to be amazed at Daniel's strength and unwaivering faith when facing the greatest challenge of his life. Daniel, you are and will continue to be an inspiration to everyone who knows you and those who simply know you through this blog.
Thank you so very much for sharing your faith and your love of God with all of us. You are and will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers each and every day.
I love you, my friend.
Michele McManus Howard
Dear Daniel and the Smiths,
I wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you and praying for Daniel everyday. Daniel is such an amazing person, an inspiration to us all, and I will continue to pray that his pain is managed enough so that he can spend enjoyable time with his family and friends.
Love,
Ansley Tullos (friend from Aspect)
Daniel and family
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God is good, God is faithful, and may His will be done. I don't know you but you have been near to my heart for a long while. I was directed to this site by a mutual friend and have been following the journey that you have all been on. I will continue to pray.
Jennifer Kozuch, CPNP
Vandy class of 2006
I heard this song at church last Sunday and thought of Daniel~
EVEN IN THE VALLEY
High upon this mountain, the sun is shining bright. My heart is filled with gladness here above the cares of life. But I've just come through the valley of trouble, fear and pain. It was there I came to know my God enough to stand and say, "Even in the valley, God is good. Even in the valley, he is faithful and true. He carries his children through, like he said he would. Even in the valley, God is good." This road of life has led you through a valley of defeat, you wonder if the Father has heard your desperate plea. But there is hope in that rugged place where tears of sorrow dwell. Can't you hear him gently whispering, "I am here and all is well." Even in the valley, God is good. Even in the valley, he is faithful and true. He carries his children through, like he said he would. Even in the valley, God is good.
We are praying for you all throughout each day. Thank you so much for keeping us posted.
Teran, Robby, Lily & Jordan
Daniel, you are such a faithful servant of the Lord. I pray that you and your family are comforted by God's ever present love for you.
-allison
Dear Doug, Daniel and family,
No, we will NOT stop trusting in God. Daniel, you have taught us all so very much. My faith has certainly strengthened. You have so many people who pray for you daily and for God's will to be done. I do write this with a heavy heart because I know that you and the family have some difficult decisions to make. I know that you will make these decisions after much prayer. We will continue to pray not only for a miracle, but for peace -- for you, Daniel and your precious family. YOUR MS family feels so blessed to be able to pray for God's will to be done in your life. You all remain in our prayers and we love you.
In Him
Tammy
Daniel and family-
I continue to pray for you and for your miraculous healing. I know with Him anything is possible. I pray for rest, pain being eased, and enjoyable moments with your family and friends. You are so loved and covered in so many prayers. I know our Father is so proud of how you have handled this challenge. You have taught us all a great deal about firm faith.
Love,
Leah
Daniel,
You are right we will not stop trusting God to do his will. I am praying for a miraculous healing everyday.
Daniel, Doug and family, I am so sorry for the results. My heart goes out to you all. God is merciful and I know He has a plan.Daniels faith is so inspiring and lifts my heart, Daniel is truly a angel of our Lord and God still works mighty miracles. Strength to you all. You're all in my prayers and thoughts. Nancy Tobola
We continue to stand with you all in prayer...we are loving you from the West Coast and continue to expect God to be nothing less than His perfect self in all of this. WE ARE WITH YOU ALL. May the Spirit of God envelop you so that each of you may sense and be comforted and strengthened by His presence, and may He multiply your hours of sleep and rest so that you may continually walk in faith each day. "not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit...."
We love you all so very much.
Maela and Shane Tanigawa
Daniel, Doug and Family,
Robert and I are praying daily for relief for you and your family. Relief from the pain, relief from the worry, relief from the grief.We as well as you of course want relief and cure from the cancer. Daniel we love you and of course you know that God loves you. We want you and your family to know that we are only a phone call away if there is anything at all we can do for you. God has blessed us with your love, presence and witness and we are so much better for knowing you. We love you. Robert, Kim and the boys
Daniel and family
I made a visit to the office last week and learned about your illness. Since then I have thought about you everyday and night before bed. I have a hard time putting in words exactly how I felt but suffice it to say I will continue to watch your blog and pray for the best. My family will be praying for your recovery because it is within His power.
Ed Madge and Family
Doug and Daniel - do what's best for you! God will let you know his will! Much love!
sean
Doug,
I want to thank you and Daniel for this blog. I have been richly blessed by following along through your journey. I want you to know that I am still praying for you all (Jed wanted you to know that he misses you at school and that he is praying too.) I've been wanting to write a message for weeks and have searched for words that never came. I'm still not sure if they are right but I want to sent this message to Daniel. "I am praising God for you. I thank you for allowing us to pray for your burdens and to celebrate your living. God has raised up a mighty warrior and witness in you! I praise Him for you!"
Robin Bowman
Daniel,
We are praying for you all the time. Your blog has been such a testament to the Lord. Your faith has absolutely amazed and inspired us as we walk this journey with you from a distance. We have truly grown in our faith by reading your and Doug's words. We hope your blog will be published one day as a book so that many can read about Christ's goodness and the strength He gives to His children. We are praying! in our Savior,
Liz (Nacozy) and James Wessel
Hi D,
Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Praying for you! Love, T
Daniel, Aunt Emma, Uncle Pat, Doug, Becky and Jeff,
I Love You all so much! Despite the fact that I don't see you much anymore I hope you all know this. You have been in my thoughts and prayers everyday. Daniel, you are stronger than I could ever be. I admire you so so much for the faith you have put in God throughout your sickness as well as in your life in gereral. I want to be able to somehow say something encouraging but honestly I just can't find the words that can tell you all how I am feeling. All I know to say is that I love you all and if any of you need anything at all you know how to reach me. I would drop everything to be there for you. I want to come see you Daniel but not sure when is a good time. The boys are sitting here with me as I write this and you are on their little minds as well. They love you too. I hope to see you all soon. You will always be my family! Love you.
Shannon Cantrell
Post a Comment