JRM Health Update – 20 February 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Mission;I am on a daily dose of chemo for the next three months for one drug. The other two now possibly three drugs will be given intravenously in the hospital once a month for four months of which I have already had one.At the end of this time an assessment will be done to determine if they are to continue the same regime for another four months.The chemo was difficult as each day a new side effect developed making it on some days fairly hard. However after 13 days the effects lessened until now I am only fighting occasional pain in the tumor and liver and an infection in the gums.The very curious thing is I was asked if I would be part of a new study they are doing which measures every two weeks or so the effectiveness of the chemo. It uses nuclear medicine to scan for 66 minutes, without moving, the areas affected by the cancer. In this way they will be able to tell quicker how I am doing so I agreed and had this test two weeks ago.Next week I begin more tests and a hospital stay for more chemo.I would like to thank each and every one of you that have contacted us offering your prayers. The outpouring of love is something I never expected or deserved but when I read the continual flow of good wishes and prayer offerings that we are receiving right up until today, I am humbled and brought to tears in many of the things being said. I am and always will be eternally grateful to each of you.On behalf of my family and myself...God bless each of you and your families...thank you...from the bottom of our hearts.LoveRick