General

From Paul:

Cycle 3

We are moving on with Cycle 3! While I do not wish to downplay the challenges with any kind of treatment, and while it is hard for me to witness my sweetheart’s pain and discomfort, it feel better to be receiving treatment, rather than waiting as we have for the previous three weeks.

I have received a new calling (assignment) in our church. New assignments come from time to time, and they are adjusted relative to our availability, and they are varied in their responsibilities. This calling is to be a Ward Temple and Family History Consultant. A ward is a congregation consisting typically of between 200 and 400 members. This is not the first time I was called to serve in this assignment before we moved from Utah to Idaho, but there have been a lot of changes in the operation of the computers and the applications that have been developed. One thing has not changed – the need to focus on the gifts of our Savior Jesus Christ.

As we consider the sacrifice of our Savior, which is central to our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness, we often reflect on whether it is universal. If God’s plan for all His children is indeed for ALL of them, there needs to be a clear understanding of justice. Jesus taught that baptism is essential. Yet there are millions of people now living, and who have lived on the earth who have not been baptized. Some of these people may not even now know of Jesus Christ and His role as our savior. For those now living on the earth, we seek to share the divine plan of our Heavenly Father to each of them. That is a monumental task. For those who have lived and have subsequently died without having the opportunity knowing of Jesus Christ and receiving the baptismal and other ordinances associated with His church, the universal nature of God’s plan would not be viable.

Jesus taught Moses:

“For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”

Moses 1:39

I have often considered this to be a mission statement. Yet if God’s plan is to bring immortality and eternal life – life with God – to man, it must include ALL mankind.

Suddenly the fulfillment of this plan becomes even more difficult. As I considered the focus on our Savior, I recalled the teaching of Boyd K. Packer on the subject. 

Elder Packer was a great teacher who was in our church leadership for many years: 

“The powerful missionary spirit and the vigorous missionary activity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints becomes a very significant witness that the true gospel and that the authority are possessed here in the Church. We accept the responsibility to preach the gospel to every person on earth. And if the question is asked, ‘You mean you are out to convert the entire world?’ the answer is, ‘Yes. We will try to reach every living soul.’

“Some who measure that challenge quickly say, ‘Why, that’s impossible! It cannot be done!’

“To that we simply say, ‘Perhaps, but we shall do it anyway.’”

About those who have already completed their mortal journeys, Elder Packer said,

“And so the question may be asked, ‘You mean you are out to provide baptism for all who have ever lived?

“And the answer is simply, ‘Yes.’ For we have been commanded to do so.

“You mean for the entire human family? Why, that is impossible. If the preaching of the gospel to all who are living is a formidable challenge, then the vicarious work for all who have ever lived is impossible indeed.”

“To that we say, ‘Perhaps, but we shall do it anyway.’”

The Redemption of the Dead | Boyd K. Packer

It is meaningful to me that Doris, who has been serving as a Temple and Family History Consultant for a couple of years already here in our current ward, will continue to serve in the manner that she can. That may include a lot of training and consulting with me. But we will be serving together as part of our mission of healing.

From Doris:

Treatments have resumed. 

It has been a hard week. But as I have prayed for strength to endure, I have been given strength beyond my own. I know I am not on this journey alone. I am receiving help from God. 

I could not go on any walks because of intense pain in my knee due to inflammation. I subsequently learned my pain was caused because my cancer treatments were suddenly stopped. Chemo drugs suppress the immune system and when they stopped, my immune system became hyperactive. Any place in my body that had experienced pain in the past suddenly felt as if it were on fire. 

On Wednesday I went to the wound clinic. My skin biopsy wound was declared healed enough for me to restart my cancer treatments. However, I still have to keep it covered and go back for a final appointment on August 22nd. 

Thursday was a long day. I had a blood draw and then met with my oncologist. He examined my wound and restarted my treatments. I went from that appointment to the infusion center and began my four-hour infusion. 

On Thursday I also restarted chemo pill #1 and began chemo pill #2. Chemo pill #2 has risks that include kidney damage. The dose will gradually increase over five weeks.This week I am taking 20 mg a day.  By week five I will be taking 400 mg a day. To monitor my kidney function, I have to have multiple blood draws.  The first was 8 hours after I started the drug. The second was 24 hours later. During the next five weeks I will have 11 blood draws.  

I went from having no treatments for three weeks to getting three different cancer drugs simultaneously, my infusion, chemo pill #1 and now chemo pill #2. I have very little strength. I am learning to juggle side effects which include fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, weakness, and dizziness.  My knee feels better, but the inflammation in my shoulders and arms is out of control.  For now, I can still take ibuprofen for the pain/inflammation. Chemo pill #2 may drop my platelet count.  If it does, I can’t take ibuprofen.

Although it has been hard, I am grateful that this week I have started moving forward in the strength of the Lord.