Dear Praying Friends,
This is Doug, back
at the computer keyboard after a several week hiatus. Even though I
consider myself a computer and e-mail addict, I must confess that for
a couple of weeks after my kidney removal surgery, the thought of getting
near a keyboard was the last thing on my mind. I left the updates for
Becky to do and she did an excellent job. I couldn’t ask for a
better nurse and caregiver.
I’ll say
it again. I have been overwhelmed by your displays of friendship through
your prayer, cards, e-mails, letters and phone calls. These truly sustained
me during those dark two weeks after surgery and we are very grateful
to God for each of you. I only wish we could acknowledge each one.
This last week
I went in for an updated CT scan of my chest. It revealed that the multiple
lesions in my lungs have actually grown since my surgery. With this
in mind we are pursuing further treatment at USC/Norris Cancer Center
in Los Angeles, one of the top cancer research centers in the nation.
We have an initial consultation scheduled for Friday, February 1st.
In the meantime, I am building up my stamina through walking and trying
to regain some weight (I lost about 15 pounds) and muscle tone to prepare
for the immunotherapy treatments ahead.
Immunotherapy (a.k.a. biological therapy) is the most effective treatment
against renal cell cancer. Conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatments
have little effect on this type of cancer. Immunotherapy involves several
five-day treatments of IL-2 and Interferon in an ICU environment, as
the side effects can be severe. In that sense it is kind of discouraging
to think about feeling better only to know you are going to feel a lot
worse because of the treatments. In any event, these treatments offer
no guarantee. Therefore, I covet your prayers once again.
I ask that you
pray for the 2002 Philippines Medical Mission Outreach scheduled for
April 6-20. It breaks my heart not to be involved in this effective
evangelistic effort to needy Filipino people which has been so dear
to my heart these last several years. Please pray for Outreach Director
Glenn Kennedy in Okinawa as well as the Christians in Action Woodlake
headquarters staff as they assist him with the details for medicines,
volunteers, administration, etc. Again, thanks for standing with us.
In His Loving Arms,
Doug & Becky
Sutherland
