Dad's Thoughts on A Son's Journey with Testicular Cancer
I thought our life was being tested and tried enough back in May 2006. I thought I was learning alot from walking daily with my Savior, but he knew that there was more to come. On July 9, 2006, after having the blessing of leading worship for the first time in over 2 years, I came home to find my son needing to be taken to the E. R. (emergency room) at Stanford. After more than 10 hours(mostly waiting) in the E.R., Dan was having surgery -a Radical Orchiectomy (complete removal of one of his testicles) the next day.
On July 27, physicians at the Cancer Center recommended either an RPLND surgery which is a major surgery to remove abdominal lymph nodes and disect them to look for cancer, OR what they termed "grueling chemotherapy". We immediately took wise advise to get second opinions and do all our homework on this subject.
By August 10, Dan's Beta Hcg marker in his blood began to slowly rise, which meant surgery was out of the question. It further meant that chemo was on the horizon.
Praise the Lord for his quick process at Stanford, but praise Him EVEN MORE because he led us away from Stanford for his treatment. Stanford does certain things very well, but you really begin to feel like you're a cog in a machine when you get there.
We needed the personal approach and God led us, after a search that even included a very serious look at Oasis of Hope Hospital in Mexico (http://www.oasisofhope.org), we found Dr. Fred Marcus in Redwood City.
Dr. Marcus is finishing up his own lung cancer chemo and Dan was one of his first patients since his return to work.
Dan is in chemo as I write this and I hope to put my thoughts and prayers and what ever else happens on this blog.
Feel free to post comments. I'd love to hear from you and we all here at the LaPoints covet your prayers daily...
On July 27, physicians at the Cancer Center recommended either an RPLND surgery which is a major surgery to remove abdominal lymph nodes and disect them to look for cancer, OR what they termed "grueling chemotherapy". We immediately took wise advise to get second opinions and do all our homework on this subject.
By August 10, Dan's Beta Hcg marker in his blood began to slowly rise, which meant surgery was out of the question. It further meant that chemo was on the horizon.
Praise the Lord for his quick process at Stanford, but praise Him EVEN MORE because he led us away from Stanford for his treatment. Stanford does certain things very well, but you really begin to feel like you're a cog in a machine when you get there.
We needed the personal approach and God led us, after a search that even included a very serious look at Oasis of Hope Hospital in Mexico (http://www.oasisofhope.org), we found Dr. Fred Marcus in Redwood City.
Dr. Marcus is finishing up his own lung cancer chemo and Dan was one of his first patients since his return to work.
Dan is in chemo as I write this and I hope to put my thoughts and prayers and what ever else happens on this blog.
Feel free to post comments. I'd love to hear from you and we all here at the LaPoints covet your prayers daily...
posted by Ken LaPoint at
9:50 AM
3 Comments:
Good Job Honey!
Thanks for doing this. I thought about trying to create a blog, but MY job right now is to take care of all of you, and keep feeding Danny his "special food" and suppliments! :O)
For you readers: My beautiful sister Jody was diagnosed with lung cancer on March 9th of this year, and it has been through that trial God has been teaching me a deeper level of "Abiding in Christ." (John 15:5) I was learning that to walk closer and constant with Jesus, meant more peace and strength for this journey of life. This is what I needed...peace.
Now, with my own son and our family dealing with this trial, I am needing to practice this discipline even more than ever in my day to day life. More than ever, I need peace in my heart.
Now, a new lesson God is trying to show me more deeply, is to "be anxious for nothing." (Philippians 4:6) That has been very hard for me as my precious son goes through this test of fire, and It is also hard because I have 2 other great kids who I know are worried about their own brother Dan.
But what I'm "hearing" God say, is,
"Annie! guess what?? I'm taking care
of Dan! :O) So relax, trust me, It's all going to be fine."
"Lord, help me to DO this. Lord, help me to do all of this YOUR way and not mine."
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalms 124:8
By
Annie, at 10:49 AM PDT
Dear Annie and Ken:
Thank you for sharing your parent perspective on this journey. Our prayers for mercy and peace are interlaced with thanksgiving for the clear testimony of your faithfulness and trust in Him.
Jerry & Mary Jane
By
jerry & mary jane, at 12:53 PM PDT
Ken - thanks for your servant's heart once again coming through loud and clear! Serving your Lord, your son Dan, and now your brothers and sisters in the Lord!
Thanks for your faithful walk, too. You are showing amazing grace at this time!
-Your friend in Christ
By
romanianpoet, at 5:34 PM PDT
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