Treatment has begun
Hi friends and family,
Today dad has begun treatment with Dr Winkler. Because dad did not have the implanted port last week, he was only able to undergo partial treatment. So, with the implanted port now in place, dad was able to start the treatment aggressively today. We are often asked exactly what the treatment is, but the answer to that question is not as straight forward as high dose chemo and radiation. Dr Winkler's approach is very patient specific. Each patient’s blood and stem cells are sent to labs abroad, like Greece, and here in the states for analysis and used as a guide for treatment. I can't say much more than that, because I don't know much more about it than that. What I do know, is that chemo, radiation and surgery administered by the top doctors and surgeons at UCLA only promised to extend dad's life a matter of months and they would take all quality of life away while doing it.
After weeks of prayer and searching we ended up with Dr Winkler, somewhere we never thought we would, but we are confident that this is where the Lord has lead us and this is whom He will work through.
Saturday Night dad was experiencing elevated pain in his stomach and back. By Sunday morning he was at the ER in great pain. The doctors made him comfortable and did an MRI to see if he had a complete blockage of the colon, which would require immediate surgery. The MRI showed that dad was not completely blocked and he was able to return home Sunday morning. It was a cool experience because I had met the doctor, Dr De Jesus, two weeks earlier for an MRI. He was of Filipino decent and his daughter in-law was from the Philippines. We talked about God, and missions in the Philippines and I left with the feeling that he did everything he could to resolve my situation. I was hoping and praying that dad would get this doctor, but mom came and informed me and Cris Ann, while dad was getting his MRI, that the doctor recognized dad from the worship team and they attend the same Church. I began to wonder if the doctor could be the same and to all of our surprise, he was. Dr De Jesus was amazed at the way God moves and brings us all together and it was a moment of worship in its truest sense.
We have been blessed with an abundance of non-traditional knowledge regarding cancer treatment. This knowledge, regarding organic and whole foods, herbal supplements and more has saved dad thus far from major colon reconstruction surgery. The doctors and surgeons only solution in this situation is to reroute the colon into a bag that hangs from the lower right abdomen while keeping the patient eating the same he or she always has. I mention this because, next to us, in the ER was a 20 year old young man who had colon cancer just like dad. He is a first generation Mexican American and his father and mother, who were with him, spoke little to no English. Because of their lack of knowledge, or awareness to look beyond American Medicine, this 20 year old boy had the colon surgery and now, only a few days later, was again in the ER next to us with a total blockage. They stuck tubes down his nostrils into his stomach sucking out all the content, so they could perform another surgery. To say the least, the noises we heard were horrific and we all felt much sympathy and apathy for this young man and his family. Would this have happened if the young man had changed to a colon cancer friendly diet? Not sure, but it has thus far for dad and we are all so thankful for the wealth of knowledge and God's grace thus far in its effectiveness with dad.
We have hope today because we see God working in this situation. We see that God led us to Dr Winkler as we asked Him to do. We see that God can use Dr Winkler, UCLA, Germany or anyone else He chooses to work through and heal dad. We see that a visit to the ER is not outside of His reach and He will make Himself known where ever dad goes. These eyes of faith are a gift from God and one of my personal prayers for us all, for 'eyes to see' more of Him.
God works in many ways to bring encouragement to dad and mom. Maybe the biggest one is right here at Post-Hope, through everyone reading this blog right now. Your comments and prayers through Post-Hope allow you to reach dad in his most vulnerable moments. I know from experience that, when feeling down and alone, the comments on Post-Hope are a steady source of encouragement and an amazing way to shed God's light into dad's darkest moments.
Thank you for your continual support!
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:35
Caleb
Comments (21)
Caleb - thank you for the update. Our prayers are with your entire family each day during this difficult time. It's awesome to see God's presence as you walk through this. He is faithful!!
Upholding Gary in Prayer today as I do every day and all of you. So thankful that you have found this Doctor and can see the marvelous way that God has gone before you.. Love you All,
Thank you so much Caleb for taking the time to write this. I praise God for His wonderful arrangements and divine appointments with Dr. De Jesus and Dr. Winkler for imparting His knowledge to you all. No detail is to small or to big for Him. Thank you Lord for keeping Gary from complete blockage, from terrible and unhelpful surgery. Lord ease His pain and cut off the blood supply, source to any tumors, let them shrink, dry up and wither away in the Mighty name of Jesus. Give Gary Your supernatural strength and courage to keep fighting and yet resting in You. Hold him in your arms Jesus, hold this whole family and be Glorified mightily in this circumstance. Let the testimony of their Faith in You draw others to You. In the midst of all this arrange for Caleb to get the treatment and help he needs too. Thank you Jesus for your hovering Love over this family in their time of great great need. In the Wonderful Name of Jesus, Amen
Thank you for the update. God works in the most amazing ways. Praying for this treatment and diet regimen to fight away those cancer cells!! Cat and Amanda talk about you alot Coach and our entire family keeps you in our prayers!!
Praying for your family! So humbled to read & hear of your passionate faith, It is awesome to read & hear how God is blessing you in each of the small & big ways. Keep your eyes upward! "..I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord... to give you a future & a hope..." Jeremiah 29:11a (Tessa's Mom, Jennifer Smith).
Caleb your letter is so encouraging in how God cares about the little details of our life. Thanks for sharing those details and your faith. "We have not because we ask not". You are asking in faith and God is opening your eyes to see His hand at work and giving you wisdom in your choices. Tomorrow this could be one of us and I am learning through your experience. Thank you for that. What a blessing for Gary and Dawn to have watched you grow up in faith and become such a man of faith and encouagement. I know your grandparents, your parents and your aunts and uncles. What a legacy of faith carried down through the generations. I pray for all of your continued faith, wisdom and strength during this time. We are watching and praying. Dave and Jan York
Beautifully said Caleb. Thank you for explaining all the information. Praying without ceasing...
Thanks, Caleb, for keeping us updated. Your dad is in our thoughts and prayers every day.
Thanks, Caleb, for this wonderful update. You are all in our prayers.
Thanks for the update. Lexi, Biff and I have you in our prayers coach Gary. Stay strong, know that you are loved. I believe you are surrounded by angels! Sending positive thoughts and love your way!! Love, Melanie Christmas
Praise god for watching over all the details in Gary's life! God is so wonderful and compassionate and makes himself known in our time of need. I thank him for what he has already done and for what I believe he is going to do for Gary and your family. Praying every day for Gary's healing.
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases" Psalm 103:2-3
Caleb, you have reminded us so beautifully of how God cares about the details of our lives. It's easy to forget this and exclude Him from the minute by minute stuff. We are all united in prayer and believing for complete healing.
Hello Barton Family, Praying for your whole family through this trial. Jennifer Barton is my cousin, which is how I saw your posts. God be with you. Tammi Bateman
Thanks so much for the update. I talked with Gary the last time I sang at SWCC. He is so at peace knowing that he is in God's hands. I pray for his recovery, but know that his future is already secured in Christ. As the hymn says, "It is well, it is well with my soul". Stan
Thank you, Caleb, for taking the time to explain more about your dad's treatment and write such a beautiful and inspirational update. Fred and I continue to pray for you, Gary, and your entire family.
Thank you for the update. Your family is in my daily thoughts and prayers.
Gary, Dawn and family: I am with you as well..every step of the way. I am glad you have started treatment, and I am glad you have found a more natural, healthy way. Please share the anti-cancer diet you are eating, and I do believe we should all be eating this way as well to stave off possibilities. My kids, David and everyone wish you well on this new journal of healing and feeling the recharged presence of the Lord. Love you guys!
Gary, no matter how hard this treatment is, or how painful it is...please hang on and know God is carrying you in His arms. There is a stain glass window at the church I was married in and it is of Jesus holding a lamb. I picture myself as that lamb being held in His arms...if you can vision that, peace and rest.
I know the power we have to manifest our destinies and create miracles and I would like to encourage everyone in Gary's family and circle of friends to suspend disbelief and start believing and talking about how Gary is beating cancer and getting better...because he is...the Mexican American gentleman who you mentioned is an example of someone who isn't. Some might call this way of thinking being delusional, but I have seen time and again how we can speak our dreams and desires into being. Keep the faith against what may seem like insurmountable odds -- your best chance at changing your life is your unshakeable belief that it can be so coupled with your willingness to do what it takes to make it so. Gary...your fortitude is an inspiration. Keep it up!
Hi Caleb...thank you so much for the detailed update. I pray every day for healing for your dad. I know that God's plan is at work in your parents lives. Seldom have I met two people that are so completely dedicated to God. God works in the most unexpected ways at times. I am living in a community that is relatively new to me...meaning I don't know anyone here. The Holy Spirit has just been adamant with me that I need to attend church. Your mom knows everything that leads up to this point. I drove by a little church between Wildomar and Lake Elsinore, and kids were holding a sign that said "Car Wash." As usual, my car needed a wash. I am a person who has a heart for kids, and when I can, I give. Soooooo, I made a U-Turn, and went back to the little church to get my car washed. They were gathering funds to help a young woman in the church go to China as a missionary. I pulled my car up to be washed, and low and behold!!!...I knew the pastor and his wife from years ago in Crestline. That was before Mike (the pastor) was a minister. I hadn't seen them in many years, and it took a moment for us to recognize one another. (That's really funny! Age just does that.) Anyway, the long and the short of the story is that I attended church last Sunday on my own. I talked to Colleen, Mike's wife this morning, and I said that now all I have to do is get myself up on Sunday morning to go to church. I feel pretty confident that I have found a church home. Thank you, Dawn and Gary, for not giving up on me.