Dear R.M.B.C. Prayer Warriors,

There has been a great deal of activity these last few days, so I will do my best to bring you all up to date on the latest developments in my ongoing saga.  Let me break it down into a few brief segments:

1.    A real area of concern to me and to the doctors is my ongoing weight loss.  Despite a number of attempts to get my body bulked up, I continue to shed the pounds.  I have now lost over 40 pounds since March, 2009.  The doctors are trying to boost my intake of proteins, carbohydrates, and calories, while, at the same time, increase my insulin intake, so that I can keep my blood sugars down.  Needless to say, this balance has not yet been achieved, but they are continuing to work on it.  This weight loss, as it was explained to us this week, is not really about the diabetes as much as it is a sign that the liver is beginning to shut down.  It is losing its ability to metabolize the food that I am taking in.  I would request that you pray specifically about this particular problem.  With the upcoming chemotherapy and radiation, I need to be as strong as possible going into it.

2.    I received word on Thursday afternoon that, after a meeting of the Transplant staff, they have made the decision to rule out candidate number three as a potential donor.  I cannot go into specifics, but they felt their decision was in the best interests of the donor.  Thus, we are back to square one with the live donor process.  I have been in contact with a potential fourth candidate (per the doctor’s instructions), and will let you know the status of that process as it continues.

3.    On Monday (August 2nd), I will be visiting the Oncology Department at University Hospital to begin the next step of Radiation and Chemotherapy.  They will be mapping my target area, so that the radiation will hit the exact same spot each time.  Then, on August 10, I will go back to meet with the Radiation Oncologist to discuss my treatment.  I suspect that, soon after that date, I will begin the six weeks of treatment.  It is my current understanding that the Chemotherapy will take place once a week for six weeks, while the radiation will be five days a week for six weeks.  The good news in all of this is that this will place me in a position where I can now receive a liver donation from either a live or a deceased donor.  According to the Transplant Coordinator, I am nearing the top of the list for a deceased donor liver in my blood type.  We have also been informed that, once we start Chemo/Radiation treatment, if a deceased donor is located for me, I could move directly into transplant without having to complete all six weeks of treatment.  Thus, potentially, the possibility of transplant could be as soon as the end of August.  The doctors want both options available (live donor and deceased donor) so that I can take the first available option when it presents itself.


I can’t say that this has not been frustrating to me and Donna, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that the timing is all of God’s plan and design.  I keep remembering Isaiah 55:8-9: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”  Nothing else needs to be said.

Thank you again for praying and for your interest in my physical/spiritual/emotional well-being.  Your expressions of kindness to Donna and me have been overwhelming.  With our new blog in place, we will try to keep you regularly updated as things progress.


Because of Him,

Pastor Bruce