11.17.2004

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to let you know my while blood cell count is approved and I'm leaving for the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD today. I'll start my introduction into the new chemotherapy tomorrow, be monitored, and then sent home Friday morning.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers!

Scott

11.13.2004

Greetings to all our friends! Thank you so much for all of your love and prayers. You have no idea how much you encourage me in so many ways. Thanks!

I went to the National Cancer Institute this week in order to receive my physicals and start in with a new chemotherapy treatment which looks quite optimistic. Unfortunately I was put on hold because my white blood cell counts were too low to qualify for starting treatment. It appears I've been struggling against some sort of infection that bothered my throat a week ago and now I'm too vulnerable (not that I feel it) so they sent me home.

Monday I'm going to get another blood test in Chicago, and hopefully everything will look recovered then. If so, NCI will immediately fly me back to their hospital in Bethesda, MD and I'll start in with the experimental chemotherapy application right away.

The bottom line is that recognizing the recent tumor growth and resulting surgery, I just need to start with some form of protection that will stop anything else from growing. Any new growths that appear and grow as quickly as the last did could be quite dangerous. Please pray that God himself will move to bring me healing and not allow anything else to grow!

Despite all the struggles and a few tears every once in awhile I just want you to know I'm still doing well. I have a choice every day whether to be discouraged with everything going on or to enjoy and experience everything God continues to bless me with in this life. It ends up not being a hard decision! No matter what happens, I find myself wanting to value each and every day for all it's worth. I just want to let you know, that I really believe that this strength and encouragement I so often live in has a lot to do with YOUR love, friendship and prayers. I pray each of you will experience the Lord's blessing as well, it's great!

Scott