How is Michael Doing?

 --- that's the most common question I get these days.

And the answer is complicated. Michael is fine. And he has something going on in his body that is unusual has no sure solution. It's hard to think about. It's hard to write about.

Since I wrote last, Michael went through six weeks of chemotherapy (he took pills at home) and going to the local cancer center for radiation treatments to the area of his brain where the tumor was, with the aim of keeping more tumor cells from growing. As expected, he tolerated that well -  it made him tired enough so that he spent his energy preparing for Sunday and then leading the two services on Sunday. He only had a couple brief bouts of nausea. I think he's put on weight!

Every morning Gabi and I walked (and ran) around the Cancer Center while Michael was radiated.

He had two weeks off in which he pretended to be completely normal. I pretended, too. Then we went back to see doctors, who told him that everything was progressing very well. His brain is healing well and brain tissue is taking back the area that the tumor had claimed, there was no sign of new tumor growth, no neurologic deficits - he can subtract by 7s from 100 and spell "world" backwards - and a test of the tumor showed that it is the kind that responds well to the chemotherapy he is on, so it will continue monthly for more than a year. We were encouraged.  He signed papers agreeing to participate in an immunotherapy trial. 

The trial involves using antibodies from Michael's own system that showed up when he was exposed to a particular virus that invaded his body at some point in his life, but never made him sick. (Apparently, many of us have the same antibodies.) The Duke research team believes that the virus has something to do with the formation of the tumor. The antibodies in his system fight the tumor, but reinforcement might even eliminate it - at least for longer than the chemotherapy does. The immunotherapy that he will receive is currently in the process of being made from the antibodies they took from his system; it is the reinforcer. The hope is that the antibody army will be strong enough to get rid of the cells that cause the tumor. It is a hope, not a sure thing. They will also be monitoring for side-effects, though it has already been determined that side-effects will be few.
We are satisfied that we are contributing to a deeper understanding of the treatment of brain tumors. We received pages and pages of technical information regarding the reasons researchers think this is a possibility. They've looked at parts of parts of cells and have a certain understanding of what happens when other cells are applied to them. Frankly, I am amazed at what scientists are able to see about the hidden things that God created. It just increases my awe at God's creativity and invitation for people to participate in understanding and using the goodness of the secrets of Creation. 

These have been hard weeks. We don't talk deeply. Sitting together and breathing deep breaths that turn into heavy sighs says enough.  We hug each other more than ever. We enjoy our crazy puppy together. We discuss news or books together. We call our kids. 

We have our individual ways of coping. I often sit quietly thinking. Deep breaths turn into heavy sighs that sometimes feel like boulders thrown to the pit of my stomach, landing with a thud displacing water that runs silently down my cheeks. I play pieces I already know on the piano. I tried to start a knitting project; it takes too much thinking. I'm helping a friend with some very simple computer work at his shop. 
During his break from chemo, Michael has had enough energy to add a couple meetings and visits to his routine. He continues to be strong in the pulpit. His stamina is down, but he gets out with the dog on occasion. 

Radiation took a chunk of hair. He took the rest.

God's presence is very hard to explain, but very clearly surrounding us. Michael's strength comes from God. Our comfort comes from God. God works through all of you - our community in Wise County, VA, in Ethiopia and South Sudan, an in all the places where you readers are. Your prayers, notes, calls, emails, and even visits assure us of God's presence in the world and give us peace.