I have seen Dan a few times over the past week and each time I see his strength returning in tiny steps - a stronger voice, better color, clearer thinking, longer visits. He is still in some considerable pain from the incision made during the operation compounded by the infection that is improving, but persisting. I saw him on Friday and I think that he told me that he is finished with the pain medication. What I observed was a much clearer look in his eyes and a significantly clearer thought process.
Friends, Dan is pretty beaten down by the events of the last 4 months and most particularly the last three weeks. I ask you for prayers of encouragement for him. He has always been one that encourages others, but now is a season where we need to join together to encourage him. His physical enemy has shifted several times during this ordeal from a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (with a 90 day mortality prognosis), to the inability to gain a conclusive biopsy, to several biopsies leading to a confirmation of pancreatic cancer, to radiation and chemotherapy intended to kill the cancer by taking him to the verge of life, to an operation to remove the tumor and save the pancreas, to a realization in that operation that the cancer was not in the pancreas but originating from the duodenum, to an infection resulting from a weakened immune system with a major incision, to another mortality prognosis of 12-18 month. Dan is a warrior for the Lord, but this kind of physical and emotional roller-coaster is enough to extinguish anyone’s spirit. Please pray now for the physical, emotional and spiritual fight to return to Dan in abundance.
So what is next? Dan is considering more of the same with the established medical system (chemo and radiation) and he is also looking into some alternative approaches. Please pray for wisdom, discernment, and energy to make wise decisions and to take action rather than be trapped by fear of the unknown or replication of treatments that have not been beneficial. Faithfully believe that God will use Dan in a most mighty way. Blessings to you all for your fervent prayers for Dan.