Thur. Aug 25th 2011

Well, blood test all clear. Ct scan clear. Doctor says I look good. I am down 15 pounds. Hope to shed even more. Time to get back to work. Sept. 26- return of the coke dealer. My dr and I chatted about some of the after effects and also my return to work regimen. We also discussed the likelihood of reoccurrence- not that we are expecting that but it was good to know. I also poked my head into chemo ward to say hi to my friend nurse Angie and company. Always good to see them when I am not in he chair with an IV. Ok that's all for now. Anyone have some weight loss ideas. Please share.

His was my devotion today- very fitting


About Our Daily Bread


Bring It On!

August 25, 2011

2 Corinthians 11:22–12:10

Three times I was beaten . . . ; three times I was shipwrecked; . . . in perils . . . , in weariness and toil, . . . in hunger and thirst. —2 Corinthians 11:25-27

A TV program on the History Channel featured the world’s most extreme airports. The one that caught my attention is no longer open, but it is one I had flown into. I agree that Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport was definitely a thrill ride for passengers and surely a challenge for pilots. If you came in from one direction, you had to fly over skyscrapers and then hope the plane stopped before it plunged into the sea. If you came in the other way, it seemed as if you were going to smack into a mountain.

I found it surprising that a pilot who used to take planeloads of people into Kai Tak said, “I miss flying into that airport.” But I think I know what he meant. As a pilot, he relished the challenge. He had a confidence based on his ability and his reliance on those who guided him into the airport.

Too often, we run from challenges. Yet the people we love to read about in the Bible are impressive because they battled challenges. Consider Paul. With the confidence of God’s help, he faced troubles head-on—and conquered them. Christ’s promise to Paul and to us is: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Like Paul’s example, in the confidence of God’s care we can say to the next challenge: Bring it on! —Dave Branon

I do not ask for easy paths
Along life’s winding roads,
But for the promised grace and strength
To carry all its loads. —Meadows

If God sends you on stony paths, He will provide good shoes

Tue Aug 23, 2011

I am suppose to get my CT scan and blood tests results this Friday.  I went to my family doctor for my routine 3 month diabetes checkup and he had already received a copy of my CT results.  All clear!  No cancer activity detected.  Now I just need to get my blood results on thursday and we are good to go.  Hoping to get back to work in September.  It was nice to get scan #2 clear and in the books.  I had an opportunity to share my story with 106 youths at a bible camp recently.  I flipped through my blog beforehand to reminisce.  6 months later, the entire experience still seems quite surreal.  Thanks again for everyone that was praying and pulling for me.  All those words and notes of encouragement meant more to me and June than I could ever express on a blog.  I don't know what the future holds but I am confident that God's plan is perfect and I am just along for the ride.


A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. —Proverbs 16:9

Tuesday Aug 9, 2011

CT scan day, I am peeing every 10 mins.  So bloated- full of water.  I feel good.  Today my goal is to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  Who wants odds?  Haha, not my strengths definitely.  I have still not used my arms in swimming yet.  Kicking like madman though.  With flippers and a kickboard, I am ashton kutcher in The Guardian.  Without them I am the submarine in The Hunt for Red October.  Straight to the bottom.  I wonder if they make skin color life jackets?  Rhys is going to the wiggles tonight.  I am not, PTL.  Well, off to the cancer clinic.  Hope everyone is having a great summer.

How's that for random information.  This blog has really gone downhill lately.  I am thinking about starting another blog called- What it is to marry June Choi...I have some insights on that, mostly comical and would probably get in trouble with some of the other wives.  For example, why do we pay for a cell phone bill when all of June's friends call me when they need to get a hold of her?  Is there a cell phone plan out there that is half price and the phone only works for outbound calls and unable to receive calls?  Thats pretty much what we have right now.  $40 bucks a month to play brickbreaker...hmmm

I saw The Company Men the other day.  I highly recommend it- gave me one of those perspective moments.  Still working on being content with what I have.  This movie definitely makes you think.  And is also about the triumph of the human spirit.  I like that.

Thur, Aug 4th

I have a CT scan on Aug 9th, blood work Aug 11, and then results Aug 25th.  I hate waiting and i am trying to keep busy, but getting a clean bill of health Aug 25 will give me the green light to go back to work in Sept.  To be honest, I can't wait.  Part of this recovery period for me has been an attempt at self improvement.  Here are the areas that I have been trying to improve...the letters beside each is the grade I am giving myself so far.  One small step for gil, is well, still a small step I guess.  I can't stop thinking about a quote from one of Lance Armstrong's doctors in his book.  He was talking about how cancer doesn't pick and choose.  "I see the same ornery people, get cured and go right back to their ornery lives"- That scares me.  I don't want to see myself go back to my old life, not that I was a lying, cheating, piece of crap that was wallowing in a miserable state of life.  In fact, I think life was good pre-cancer.  But I think I want to come out of this experience, stronger, faster and new and improved.  It is a slow slow process however, haha.

Daily devotion and prayer- B
Exercise- C+
Eating healthier- A
Controlling temper-C
Cleaning and organizing life-A-
Swimming-C

I may expand on a few of these later, got some funny swimming stories, thats for sure

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. —Ephesians 2:8


It is good for me to draw near to God. —Psalm 73:28


I read these verses the other day and they reminded me that life is full of bumps along the way and my human/gut reaction is to deal with things, my way or alone.  The last 6 months have taught me that no one does it alone, or at least it is a lot easier when you aren't alone.