Just got an email from brother.

[stilllearning]

I could try to retype all of what my brother Jeff has written but the short of it is he has to make a decision very quickly to have a kidney removed or not. They have found a growth in one of the kidneys and are upwards of 90% sure that it is Cancer. They say if they can get it now the success rate is good and he could live a long and healthy life. If it spreads he could only have about 11 months. The emotions of this uncertain situation keep coming across me in waves.

Please add Jeff, His wife Shirley, boys Nathan (married), Curtis (married), and Mitchell (still at home) to your prayer list and prayer chains.

God bless you and keep.


Bruce O'Blenis

[jerseyhunter]

Prayers on the way to the family from jersey.


GOD BLESS

[4pointer]

Prayers on the way, May god bless this Family & Friends.
~Larry~

[stilllearning]

Here is the lattest. PRAISE GOD.

Good evening everyone;

I've had a number of you ask for an update on my condition and I really didn't have anything new to tell you until today. My doctor had decided to perform an MRI to confirm the results of the CT scan. He did not expect to see anything different and only did it because another doctor thought it might solidify the decision he had suggested of removing my left kidney. The test was done 3 weeks ago today. It takes 5 - 10 working days to get the result back and my doctor was on vacation for a week so that is why there was such a delay. I went back to see him this morning and the results were very positive. My doctor is very confident that it is not cancer. He said he was very surprised that the MRI made such a difference. After viewing the MRI he and the radiologist reviewed the results of the ultrasound and the CT scan (which both suggested cancer) and the rusults from the MRI cleared up some concerns they saw in the other 2. The result is I do not have to have my kidney removed and it looks like I am cancer free.

Shirley was immediately thrilled but I had a very unusual reaction. It felt like I had just finished going 15 rounds with the current title holder. I almost went completely numb. I felt like I couldn't catch my breath, somehow as if all of this was impossible. We went to Centenial Park for a walk so that I could learn how to breath again. Shirley thinks I was in some sort of state of shock. Slowly my head cleared and it began to sink in. It's like someone gave me my life back again. I'm not sure how to interpret all of this. I'm not sure if this is a miracle (in other words that the growth actually changed in nature and the cancer disappeared) or if everything just became a little clearer for the doctors. What I do know is that God answered prayers that were offered on my behalf. He answers prayer every day and every prayer we offer makes a difference in the direction of our daily lives. I'm going to get a bit religious on you now:

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5: 13-16.

I feel a bit like the believers who were praying for Peter's release but when Peter knocked at the door they didn't believe it and wouldn't let him in. Anyway, I'm absolutely certain that God was and is still speaking to me. I will never be the same. I found myself thinking through so many things and honestly the biggest concern I had through all of this is the question of how will I be remembered. Have I lived my life to this point as I should have? Did my life amount to anything of importance? This sounds a little dark but I came face to face with my own mortality in a way I have never done before. I believe God has told me that He expects more from me. Not more things like songs or sermons or serve on more boards or committies. He expects faithfulness. He expects me to live the moment to the best of my ability and in his strength. Lord willing I will do that.

All of that said, it is not over yet. My doctor will be calling me back in 1 year for another ultrasound. He said he is still not 100 % sure (although probably 99 %) that there is not more to this then he is now seeing. My decision is to forget about it, to let it be. God knows what He is doing and we'll see what He has in store for me in a years time. Thank you for your prayers and if you have any questions or comments I'm here for the asking.

Love you all,

Jeff

[jerseyhunter]

Prayers still coming your way.

[4pointer]

Prayer's still on the way..