Dear Praying Friends,
First, I’ve
said it before but I have to say it again. Your kind expressions to
us through prayer, e-mail (over 400 now), cards, letters, phone calls
and visits have meant the world to us. Thank you so much. We are sorry
we can’t respond to each one.
Secondly, we’ve
added so many new people to our e-update list and we want to be sure
that you want to receive these. If you desire to be removed simply let
us know with a simple e-mail saying REMOVE.
HEALTH UPDATE:
Becky and I returned home a couple of days ago after concluding my first
round (14 doses) of treatment with the experimental IL-2 substitute.
I can’t say enough about the excellent care by the staff of USC/Norris
Cancer Center and Hospital in Los Angeles. Although I don’t like
staying in a hospital at all, my doctor and nurses made it tolerable.
The side effects from the initial doses didn’t seem too bad but
the last few days of treatments I experienced extreme nausea and weakness
and I am still getting over that. Before the nausea came I actually
enjoyed the food.
It turns out that
three of my four attending nurses are Filipinas. I like to joke with
them that I am actually a Filipino also since I have eaten balut (I’ll
explain that sometime), but they said my nose is too sharp. Oh well,
I tried. I did get to talk to each one about the medical mission ministry
so I have some potential recruits for Philippine Medical Mission 2003!
I return to USC/Norris
next Wednesday morning to be admitted for another round of 5-day treatments
(2/20-2/24). Oh boy! The regiment is not as bad as we originally thought
as it is different from the standard IL-2 treatment. After this next
round I actually get a break until March 19 when I return there for
a new CT scan and more blood work to check the effectiveness of this
experimental immunotherapy. Then another break until April 16 for another
CT scan and blood work. Soon after that I’ll begin my next course
of treatments.
I had the opportunity
to minister to several other cancer patients on my floor. Please remember
to pray for Mickey, Ulysses, Joe and Mr. Wong (his family was surprised
when I was able to speak Cantonese with them.)
In closing, I remember
hearing this quote long ago: “Christians are like tea bags, their
true color comes out in hot water.” Please pray that as we seep
in this “hot water” experience that we will exude the fragrance
of Christ to this lost world.
2 Cor. 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in
Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge
of him.
In His Arms of
Love,
Doug Sutherland
