Moving Forward in Peace

We did meet with two of UAB's cancer doctors on February 27, and they clearly recommended treatments over surgery. Dr. Meredith is the radiation oncologist, and Dr. Nabell is the medical oncologist, and they specialize in head and neck cancers. If I had surgery, I would still need 6 weeks of radiation. This way, I need 7 weeks of radiation with chemotherapy treatments three weeks apart. Debbie and I have such a peace and comfort about this now, with such concurrance from several doctors.
Most of all, we have been so encouraged and strengthened in our faith to see how God has worked to direct our steps in this direction and every detail. We were taken to such desperation and despair, and yet delivered in such a great way at our lowest point. We have learned not to depend on our own understanding, but to trust Him all the more.
Yesterday, we had the fitting and CT scan for my "mask" (more like a "hood") that holds me exactly in place for the treatments. Monday, we have an appointment with Dr. Nabell to prepare the chemotherapy plan. The details and machine programming usually take 8 to 10 days to set up before treatments can start. But they are pushing, and we hope treatments may commence March 11 or 12. The sooner the better now!
I am so thankful that Dr. Meredith has allowed me to proceed without forcing me to have a feeding tube surgically in place up front. Most do need one about midway through the treatments, but she has allowed me to try to make it without, (agreeing to accept a different type through the nose if needed). Please pray for grace here that I can push through the difficult swallowing and avoid that complication.
Thank you so much for your prayers and overwhelming demonstrations of love. Every contact, call, email and card is so precious to us. We are keeping every one to review later when it gets tough.
Nothing about my cancer or its serious prospects has changed, but we are so encouraged and strengthened by the recent experience. Please praise God for His great grace and mercy in our lives. Continue to pray that we will be found faithful to Him and strive (by receiving His timely and sufficient grace) to be appropriate stewards of this sacred trust.

"The true Christian reaction to suffering and sorrow is not the attitude of self-pity, fatalism or resentment; it is the spirit which takes life's difficulties as a God given opportunity, and regards its troubles as a sacred trust, and wears the thorns as a crown." James Stewart