Why We Are Here

This morning, I spent some time remembering the road that led us here.  I thought it would be good to share it with you so that you know we are not here by accident, fate, or circumstance.

When my wife was first diagnosed with Cancer, everything in life seemed to speed up.  With only days in between Dr. visits, it was impressed upon us that time was critical and our available options grim.  Neither of us had any relevant experience with Cancer nor had we witnessed first hand the suffering a cancer patient goes through.  Not knowing what to do, we simply began to pray:  “Lord, comfort and lead your servants thru this trial.”

Truth guided and protected our hearts during those first few days.  We know that God is in control, that He loves us, and that the Sovereign King can heal in a instant.  We also know there is not an authoritative chapter on cancer treatment buried in the pages of the Old Testament and therefore, we prayed again:  “Lord, give us wisdom and guide our path.”

God is Sovereign; He can heal thru any means.  We looked into every option—both allopathic and alternative—and kept all of the doors open.  We met with different oncologists, a radiologist, surgeon, nutritionist, and counseled with friends and family.  We faxed in applications, researched on the internet, and asked for referrals.  After two weeks of intensive reading, studying, and praying, there were many options laid before us.  We were not ready to shut any doors and asked God once again to lead us:  “Lord, make our path straight; close the doors You don’t want us to pursue and lead us towards Your will.”

Boy, did He lead us!

• On August 8th, we received the full picture of Lariate’s diagnosis:  Stage II A Rectal Cancer. 
• On August 11th, we completed our application to the Gerson Clinic and learned we needed one additional lab analysis.  After speaking with our Doctor, we found this lab and results could take up to two weeks.
• On August 12th, our Doctor called and said the lab results were in and we could pick them up on Monday morning. 
• On August 15th, we picked up the lab results and faxed in our completed application.  We were enthusiastically accepted by the Gerson Clinic doctors that same day and told we could start on September 10th.
• That afternoon, we had our first radiation dry run.  This is a procedure that involves making marks on Lariate’s body, taking a reference CAT Scan, and lining up the machine to start radiation the following Monday.
• That night, we went to The Healing Room.  Lariate made a connection with Cathy Holder, a former students’ mother and Special Ed teacher turned nutritional consultant.  Cathy’s journey gave wisdom and confirmation to the path we were considering in Gerson Therapy. 
• On August 18th, our oncologist (chemo doctor) called to inform us that he was sick and could not see us for 2 weeks.  We rescheduled with another oncologist, Dr. Paul.
• On August 22nd, Lariate’s radiation treatment was scheduled to start but was postponed a week because we had not met with our oncologist.  Chemo and radiation therapies are supposed to start in tandem.
• On August 26th, we met with our new oncologist, Dr. Paul.  We presented him with the information we had gathered about the Gerson Therapy.  Although he did not endorse this path of treatment, he did agree to oversee Lariate’s care, follow ups, and order the tests needed for follow up by the Gerson Clinic.  He also informed us of a national shortage of the needed Chemo-therapy drug, 5FU that would prevent us from immediately starting chemo.
• On August 29th, the morning our radiation was scheduled to start, we received a call that their radiation machine was broken and we could not start that day.  We did not re-schedule.
• On September 7th, we met with our surgeon, Dr. Kim to share the road so far.  Like Dr. Paul, he did not endorse Gerson Therapy, but was supportive of our decision and presented us with alternative surgical options that would be minimally invasive should we require them while on the therapy.
• On September 8th, my parents arrived back in town from Nova Scotia to oversee the care of our children and we departed for San Diego on the 9th.

So, why are we here?  The Sovereign King has led us here.  We are encouraged by this cancer treatment path that strengthens and restores our immune response.  However, our confidence is anchored in the God who heals and we know that He has led us to this place.  We are not seeking a miraculous cure (although that would be exciting), rather we are trusting in the journey and to know His purposes for us in this place.

We are aware that many of the patients here need more than just physical healing.  They need hope.  They need to be set free from the cage of fear that cancer often places us in.  To that end, we believe that God has sent us here here as missionaries first, and as patients second.  We ask that you would pray for us to that end—that the good news of Jesus Christ will bring about spiritual renewal, hope, and remove the sting of death.

At the end of each day, the Spirit gives us strength to utter one last prayer:  “If it pleases the King to heal the Servant and receive the Glory, then let it be done according to Your will.” 

Trusting in Him,
Dhondi