2009 A Review

My family and I have had a blessed 2009. Among the highlights of this past year was our return to the US Army Garrison in Heidelberg, Germany along with a group from First Baptist Church Altamonte Springs, FL. We went to share our pastor's Ultimate Slooze Show that he has used to share the gospel with children for the past 15 years. This was the churches 2nd year in a row to bring the show to the Army Garrison in Heidelberg, and my family has had the privilege to go both years.

I realize however that most of you who are connecting to this blog are doing so to find out about my current medical condition. On Friday December 18th I had a seizure and was taken to South Seminole Hospital. After being evaluated their I was taken by air ambulance to ORMC where I was diagnosed with a grade 2 Oligodendroglioma (brain tumor). I have been placed on medication to control my seizures and was released from the hospital on December 26th. Over the next three weeks I will be following up with my team of doctors from ORMC and MD Anderson in Orlando to set up a treatment plan. The most important factor at this time is the results of my 1p/19q test. If both of these elements are not present in my tumor I should respond better to the treatments available.

Please be in prayer for favorable results from this test and for my doctors to have wisdom in how best to proceed. Also be in prayer for my family as we are adjusting to me not being able to drive or even be by myself for now. This has been challenging for me to have someone with me almost every minute of the day! It is also a challenge for my wife as she has to be with me or find someone willing to watch me.

Please know that we are starting 2010 with an unwavering faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and his ability to safely guide us through this journey. We are excited to see what the new year holds in store for us, and hope that each of you reading this will have a year filled with the peace and joy that can only come from God our Father. I will send a new update after my doctor's appointment next week.