Dear friends and supporters,
We have been so blessed at the response to our email a few days ago and thank you so much for praying for us, it is a great comfort to our hearts.
I had my final test today and we called the doctor for the results. I do not have cancer in the bowel or lungs, however, they are pretty sure that I have cholangiocarcinoma which is cancer of the bile duct in my liver – not good.
As anticipated a few days ago, they have scheduled surgery for 18 November. The doctor warned us that it is not without its risks. Since I will have about 80% of the liver removed, there is risk of bleeding or failure of the part of the liver that remains.
Assuming I survive the surgery, I will have some radiation and chemotherapy. Once that is complete, they will talk about a prognosis. If they don’t do the surgery, the doctor said I might have 4-6 months to live.
Feeling quite numb this evening, it all seems quite surreal but very glad to have family close at hand. We also have a very supportive team here at NTBI and as I have said, we are greatly comforted by your prayers and concern.
For the past four weeks we have been asking God to help us deal with what we know rather than what we don’t know and we have experienced a great peace with that. Now we have a definite diagnosis that isn’t good, we are trusting the Lord for that same grace to handle what we know.
Again, we would covet your prayers for courage, that our faith would not fail and for our family around the world. We would also ask you that God would be pleased to give the strength to survive the surgery and to have as long as possible with family.
Another quote from Ps 71:18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
All our love,
James and Lisa