Overwhelmed by Love

Crisis does have a way of focusing attention and realigning priorities.

It seems that more living gets crowded into every minute because the appreciation quotient zooms.  What gets crowded out is the frivolous (like TV) and the minor (is it really important to argue over that?)  Affirmation of each other zooms too.  Kisses, hugs and “I love you”s are way, way up in our home.  (And outside too.)  Cy, our little 7 year old, is very attuned to my situation.  Without solicitation he tells me, “I love you Daddy” or “You’re the best!” many times a day.   Lonni and I have never been more in love and I thank God we are in such unity as we face the battle together.  As many of you know Lonni is an amazing woman and the true substance of our little family.  I’ve never met someone of higher character that Lonni.  There are not words to express how fortunate I am.

How does it better than this?  Before I got sick I had rewatched the movie “Saving Private Ryan”.  The bonds created in a life/death struggle are like no other.  I am blessed by so many who have joined with me as brothers and sisters in prayer, advice, resources, etc.  It is a rich and humbling experience that comes no other way.  Few-of those men would have chosen Normandy and to liberate France, yet the bonds they built transformed their lives.

I’m 95% certain my insurance issues are resolved and we will soon know for sure.

On the 22^nd we leave Chicago for the rest of the year to be together as a family out in the woods .  I am guessing this will be our most memorable Christmas ever.   With no internet I think this will be my last post for a while.

I pray the same for you.  Have a blessed Christmas and enjoy all that blesses your life.

glen

Treatment Paths

It seems there exist four pathways of cancer treatment.  On one end is modern Western technology of drugs and machines.  On the other extreme is alternative medicine that eschews drugs and surgery and trusts only natural means.  In the middle are “integrated” or wholistic paths that take into account both western and additional methods.

We have decided to explore our options by interviewing with three treatment facilities: the University of Chicago Hospital, Rush Hospital (colon center) and the Block Center (Evanston, IL).  This process began yesterday at Rush and will end Jan 5^th.  Because we have chosen not to consider pure alternative treatment all three of these will begin with chemotherapy.  Rush (yesterday) said it would be six months, including 12 treatments in all.  All of that is depending upon my body’s reaction.

I am very intrigued by the Block Center’s CAM (Complementary Alternative Medicine) cancer treatment approach which Dr. Keith Block has been developing for thirty years.  It provides a distinct option and I feel blessed to have it here in our area.  Should you have a friend or relative with cancer it is worth investigating.

We are looking forward to the holidays which will be with kids and grand kids at our little get away in the woods about 2hrs west of Chicago.  Hope to get there and then get a foot of snow!!  I pray your Christmas will be as blessed as we anticipate ours to be.

I continue to gain strength daily and spend most of everyday in productive activity.  I am sleeping in my own bed that I have share with my darling bride for 41 years (March 21).

 In a few minutes I leave for Circle to spend a few hours meeting with my board.

Thanks for caring.

Talking to Dana

As we prepare for the fight ahead (i.e. treatment) I’ve be contemplating the tangible immeasurable grace in my life.  Fighting cancer, I’m learning, is bolstered by a strong and healthy “team” to help with all aspects of maintaining strength -- physically, emotionally, spiritually etc.

I’ve had so much help, assistance, aid of all kinds that it is quite overwhelming.

My treatment strategy is pulling together.  I am focusing toward a plan that I believe will be the very best for me.  Have three comprehensive interviews set up so that by earlier January treatment can start down the path we choose.

But I need to share one story that lifted my spirits to the moon:

Background: A “band of brothers” (25 guys) go annually to Honduras to a serve in a children’s home.  We are all from a Friday morning gathering downtown called the “Chicago Fellowship.”  This year was  my 5^th year to go but this illness interrupted.  I missed going tremendously but was warmed by the  support and prayers of the men.

I most missed that I would not see Dana Lopez, a girl I sponsor and spend time with each year, take shopping etc.  she is a genuine orphan – no family at all.  A very sweet girl who is growing up within the walls of the orphanage compound her entire life.

But yesterday the director of the home (Mamma Carman) called me and then put Dana on the phone!!  It was a glorious 40 minute conversation, and quite hysterical cuz of the few common words we speak.  Our son Cy (7 yrs) actually speaks Spanish and helped out some.  But we ended the call singing Christmas Carols,  Lonni, Cy and I in English and Dana in Spanish – same song, same time.

Was that a boost to the spirits or what!! 

Bathed in God’s grace.

glen

Had a Great Day

Surprised the Circle staff by showing up for the monthly all staff meeting!!  Such a warm and terrific time together sharing what God is doing to and through us.  Funny thing to go through struggle and experience God's grace that we so easily blow past when life flows easy.

Circle staff have folks have not had a raise in 3 (or is it 4 years?).  We have been hammered by the economy downturn, reducing expenses to the bone.  Like so many others little has changed.  Yet  the spirit and ministry impact has absolutely never been greater as the staff have risen to the challenge.  The stories shared in that meeting reflecting God at work was the best medicine I could have experienced.

2010 has been a year God has chosen to mold us, shape us, refine us.  Circle too.  We are all focusing together as a team/family like never before.  Good stuff producing good fruit.

Each day I am also emerging with better understanding of cancer treatment and the various approaches. At this point it seems there are three possible paths (approaches, philosophizes)  to follow.  So now we are investigating as much as possible what lays down these paths in order to chose a direction.

The good news is that it seems possible to change insurance coverage from HMO to PPO which gives me greater options.  THIS IS BIG AND AN ANSWER TO PRAYER.

Mistakes of a newbee

I think I just messed up yesterday's blog -- trying to figure out how to do this, never blogged before so bare with me.

Glen Kehrein's Health Log: Stronger each day --

Glen Kehrein's Health Log: Stronger each day --: "I'm recovering very well from surgery -- getting staples out tomorrow. I'm been strong enough to get out, see folks here at ..."

Stronger each day --

I'm recovering very well from surgery -- getting staples out tomorrow.  I'm been strong enough to get out, see folks here at home and do a lot via computer and email.

Going to school on how to make this insane health care system work for the best care possible and how to set up the best treatment plan that insurance will cover.  Next week I'm doing a comprehensive interview @ Rush and I have another scheduled in early January at a place called the Block Center.  Many more questions about treatment than answers at this point.

Lonni is taking Cy to this great place called the Wellness House (http://www.wellnesshouse.org/).  helps families deal with cancer.  He seems quite engaged.

Your prayers, cards, emails etc have reminded me how very, very blessed a man I am.  Cy, Lonni and I are lovin' on each other like never before.

glen