Rod Stringer – Minister – Union City Christian Church – Richmond, KY

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Good Morning,

                Well, we have a cool morning here in KY. I don’t know what the temp was earlier but at the moment we are at about 40. It looks like we won’t get out of the 40’s today and I think I heard talk of possible snow by the end of the week, but I’m not sure about that and to be honest, neither are the weathermen.

            Well, I know that you are wondering what is going on with me and my health. Actually, we don’t know much yet. All we know for sure is that the MRI seems to show cancer in my C5, C6 & C7 disks in my back. Those are the last three in the neck before it becomes your back. You can tell I’m not a doctor. Anyway, we are having a hard time getting an appointment with the neurologist at UK to see what he thinks and to see what tests we need to do and what treatments we may be looking at. Of course, there is always the chance that the test was misread. Anyway, I have done some research on my own and have discovered some information. It seems that it’s not unusual for the cancer to reappear in the spine. However, chemo is normally not effective in dealing with cancer in the spine. But then I have heard that story before and it turned out to be wrong. Radiation and surgery are usually the two treatments of choice. One thing that I found out is that the FDA just recently authorized the use of a new disk replacement for that area of the spine. Who knows, that may come in handy in my case. The other thing that may or may not be a problem is that I have already had my limit when it come to radiation. Now, that’s a bummer, considering that radiation is a primary weapon used against spinal cancer. However, I like that word, it tends to mean that there is hope, which there is. However, a couple of years ago a new device was first used to fight this cancer, it’s called the CyberKnife. It uses radiation, but it is very highly precise in targeting specific cells and seems to be highly effective. And I think one of the great things about it, is that it’s basically an outpatient procedure and there is no actual cutting. There are only a few hospitals in the country that have a CyberKnife, UK is one of them. Once again, it just may be that God has put me in the right place at the right time. Anyway, I really don’t know if the CyberKnife can be used on my cancer, but we will let God work that one out. Again, as soon as we know something we will let you know, just continue to pray for me and especially for Pat and the family.

            This morning I am here in the office for a little while. I am not hurting much at the moment, but that tends to chance from moment to moment. So far I haven’t had to take a pain pill today. Yesterday I went from by rear hurting to my legs hurting to being fairly unstable and nauseated. We will see what today brings. Pat went to work this morning, but I doubt that she gets much accomplished as I know her mind is elsewhere.

            It appears at the moment that we are going to suspend Wednesday evening Bible study for a little while, we will let you know when that will resume. As far as Sundays go, well, I will preach as often as I can, which means that I may or may not be able to be here on any given Sunday for awhile.

            Six years ago things looks pretty bad and with your prayers and God’s help, we made it through. Things looks a little rough again, but with your continued prayers and God’s eternal presence and love, we will made it again.

            Oh, I may not get an e-mail out each day, so just bear with me.

Have a Great Day in the Lord,
                   Rod