Dear Praying Friends,
I cannot describe
how blessed we feel to have each you on this side of our battle with
cancer. Your prayers and generosity in other ways have meant so much
to us.
The last time you
heard from us was when we had just returned from a follow-up CT scan
and blood work at USC/Norris in Los Angeles. I was worn out from that
trip and Becky shared the good news about the lesions showing no growth
since I started the experimental immunotherapy treatment. More then
anything, we attribute my positive response directly to your fervent
prayers.
The next step is
another CT scan, blood work and doctor's visit in Los Angeles on April
16th. Then on April 22nd I enter the hospital again for another course
of immunotherapy. This involves two 6-day hospital stays with about
a one-week break between treatments. Then it is recovery at home with
more CT scans and blood work through July 6th.
As I write this
the Philippines medical mission outreach is in full swing. I wish I
could be there with the team. Please remember their medical, dental
and evangelistic outreach in your prayers.
My illness has
allowed me the luxury of having extended times of reflection. What an
encouragement that has been. A few days after returning from the last
trip I wrote down the following and felt I should pass it on. Please
accept my apologies for such a long document (over 1,250 words!) via
e-mail. I pray it might be a blessing to you.
In Christ,
Doug Sutherland
P.S. My dear sister-in-law,
Norma, was recently diagnosed with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
She is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Norma is a beautiful Christian
woman and needs your prayers as well as Becky's brother Mike and children
as they care for her.
