Watching Over

My friend Steve, liked my "cross" experience this week and sent me theses encouraging words. Thanks Steve. My God is watching over me; I hope you know He's watching over you also, no matter what your life circumstances may be.

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
      where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
      the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
He who watches over you will not slumber;
     indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
       the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
          He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
       both now and forevermore.

Update from today’s treatment-

When I went in for my treatment today I mentioned the “cross” in the ceiling to one of my nurses and she was quick to let me know that it wasn’t a cross. The “cross” over my head is actually an area cut out for one of the laser beams they use to line up the x-ray beams. So she thinks it’s for the laser, but I know better.

God wants me to understand that He has everything lined up according to His plan, He’s watching over me, so just relax PT and keep your eyes on the cross.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT
You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Scary and tired

Yesterday, every time the x-ray beam was being activated I could hear it hum; as that would happen, I found myself saying “this is scary”.  I wasn’t scared, if that makes sense; but it was scary. I was wondering what this thing was doing entering my body. I wasn’t scared of the cancer; it was this thing (the x-rays) and wondering what it was doing to me. That was unsettling, but I kept giving it to God.
During the day (Tuesday), I found myself flat emotionally and physically drained; not from the radiation itself, but from the emotional drain of starting the treatment.

Today (Wed.) is better, my treatment went well and I haven’t experienced the tiredness.
I’m asking God to help me see and learn all He has for me through this journey.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT
You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

God’s message is clear!

God’s message is clear! “I have you covered; I’m watching over you.”

Tuesday morning I began my radiation treatments (9am), and God made Himself very clear. Let me explain.

The equipment is really interesting. Right over my head (about 12-18 inches above me) is a large circular x-ray machine that rotates 360◦ around me. So, as I’m lying there on the table before we start all I can see is this big machine. But a couple of neat God things occurred when it started rotate. The suspended ceiling over my head has a fluorescent light that is covered with a beautiful picture of a park like setting- flowers, trees, gardens, river- just gorgeous.  As the machine moves I see it for the first time. “Thank you Father, for giving me something I love to focus on while I go through the treatment.” What a neat gift from my Father. But He’s not done, as the machine moves into the next position I look up and there in the suspended ceiling they had carved out part of the tile, a 3”x6” cross. Right over me! And there was a red light from somewhere backlighting the cross. God message was clear; He wanted me to be real certain that He was there, He had me covered and He was watching over me. I started to cry as I saw the cross and just kept thanking Him. And even though the machine rotated to numerous different locations, it never blocked my vision of the cross.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

PS. The treatment takes about 30 minutes because they shoot from a number of different angles as the machine rotates.

The pictures tell the story

Folks have been asking, “How are you doing?” I tell them, “I’m doing great!” But sometimes I feel like they think I’m just saying that, because it’s expected. No, really, I’m feeling great.
 
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I thought I give you a 3,000 word response to how I’m feeling. Here’s a couple of pic’s from last week’s Minnesota trip to visit my daughters and grandkids. These pictures are of Papa, Olivia and Mathias (Jessica’s children).
 
See I’m feeling great- pictures don’t lie.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.
PT
You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

PT has a tat!

That’s right; Pastor Terry has a tattoo, sort of. Yesterday I went in to have my “markings” done for my upcoming radiation treatments. They did three needle mark ink spots on my lower abdomen to mark the radiation area. I think they’re permanent, but not sure. I’ll ask next time I go in. The magic marker spots they used to line up the ink spots will eventually come off, but I may have the “tat” for life.

My treatment schedule has been changed. Apparently, more time is needed to get yesterday’s CAT scan back from the lab and to layout the specific treatment area and dosage. So my first radiation treatment will be Tue. June 25^th @ 9 am. not Mon. June 17^th.

 I didn’t do real well with that. Yesterday was a hard day. I was really disappointed that they had to change my start date. I’m doing a little better today.

 My emotions seem real fragile when I’m in that hospital setting. Seeing myself in the hospital gown and laying on the CAT scan table makes everything much more real. My head handles it ok, but it takes awhile for my heart to settle in. I keep taking it to Jesus and He gives me His comfort and peace; I realize His presence and it slowly seeps down into my heart.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

 

Great week

Great week this past week. I finally got out golfing. Golfed with three friends from Oakbrook at Horseshoe Bay in Door County. Hit the ball pretty well (for me anyway), I shot a 91 on a tough course. Followed that up later in the week by planting our vegetable garden and helping Susan plant the pots for around our yard. Feeling good.

Susan and I will spend some time with family in the St. Paul, MN area before beginning my radiation treatment June 17^th.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com