Glory to God for All Things
November 03, 2009
Glory to God for all things!
Dear faithful and most beloved family in Christ at St. Luke's,
This day my spirit is soaring with joy and thanksgiving, offering all glory, honor and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; being upborne on the wings of your love and prayers, which I have felt so strongly and sincerely; through the intercessions of the all-holy Lady Theotokos, the Apostle and Evangelist Luke, and all the saints; and being upheld in the strong, steadfast and merciful hands of God.
I have wonderful news to share! Today's endoscopic ultrasound revealed that I do indeed have pancreatic cancer (no need to write about the details of the diagnosis). However, the doctors presently agree that it was caught soon enough, and thus limited enough in scope, to allow me to be a strong candidate for surgical removal. This is the best news that I could have possibly received. The surgery will be rather extensive, with many things removed and rearranged, but it offers the best opportunity towards healing. Thank you, most loving and merciful God!
I am scheduled for another endoscopic procedure on this Thursday at 8am (the 3rd in ten days), which will look within the pancreas duct itself and determine if any portion of the pancreas will remain or not. Should there be any evidence of certain cells within the pancreas, then the whole thing will be removed, rendering me a complete diabetic. This surgery could happen as early as November 20th.
Your emails and phone calls and kind words of love and encouragement have brought many tears to my eyes. Thank you and God bless you always! I've read every word and apologize for not yet being able to respond to everyone. Other than some juice, I just ate the first food of today an hour ago at 7pm, some chicken soup and a slice of apple pie… yummy! My throat is still sore from today, and will be made sore yet again on Thursday; but this is such a small thing! I only mention it because it is really difficult for me to talk on the phone with you right now. Plus, my head still feels a little "off" from the anesthesia, and I'd hate to say some silly nonsense!
It is my firm intention and heart's desire to serve the Divine Liturgy at St. Luke's this Sunday. Where else would I rather be than standing before the Holy Altar and joined together in worship with you! We thank Fr. Wayne, who is sending a deacon from St. Barnabas to help at Liturgy this Sunday. There will however, be no Vespers or Matins this weekend, as I know this would be pushing myself too hard.
Kyra, Ana, Katya and I want to express, as best as we are able, our most sincere and heartfelt humble thanks to you for your constant love, faithful support, and healing outpouring of prayer. We love you always!
It is my great joy and a blessing from God to be walking the road of salvation and Life together with you, loving one another and praying for one another, in Christ,
Fr. Michael
Dear faithful and most beloved family in Christ at St. Luke's,
This day my spirit is soaring with joy and thanksgiving, offering all glory, honor and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; being upborne on the wings of your love and prayers, which I have felt so strongly and sincerely; through the intercessions of the all-holy Lady Theotokos, the Apostle and Evangelist Luke, and all the saints; and being upheld in the strong, steadfast and merciful hands of God.
I have wonderful news to share! Today's endoscopic ultrasound revealed that I do indeed have pancreatic cancer (no need to write about the details of the diagnosis). However, the doctors presently agree that it was caught soon enough, and thus limited enough in scope, to allow me to be a strong candidate for surgical removal. This is the best news that I could have possibly received. The surgery will be rather extensive, with many things removed and rearranged, but it offers the best opportunity towards healing. Thank you, most loving and merciful God!
I am scheduled for another endoscopic procedure on this Thursday at 8am (the 3rd in ten days), which will look within the pancreas duct itself and determine if any portion of the pancreas will remain or not. Should there be any evidence of certain cells within the pancreas, then the whole thing will be removed, rendering me a complete diabetic. This surgery could happen as early as November 20th.
Your emails and phone calls and kind words of love and encouragement have brought many tears to my eyes. Thank you and God bless you always! I've read every word and apologize for not yet being able to respond to everyone. Other than some juice, I just ate the first food of today an hour ago at 7pm, some chicken soup and a slice of apple pie… yummy! My throat is still sore from today, and will be made sore yet again on Thursday; but this is such a small thing! I only mention it because it is really difficult for me to talk on the phone with you right now. Plus, my head still feels a little "off" from the anesthesia, and I'd hate to say some silly nonsense!
It is my firm intention and heart's desire to serve the Divine Liturgy at St. Luke's this Sunday. Where else would I rather be than standing before the Holy Altar and joined together in worship with you! We thank Fr. Wayne, who is sending a deacon from St. Barnabas to help at Liturgy this Sunday. There will however, be no Vespers or Matins this weekend, as I know this would be pushing myself too hard.
Kyra, Ana, Katya and I want to express, as best as we are able, our most sincere and heartfelt humble thanks to you for your constant love, faithful support, and healing outpouring of prayer. We love you always!
It is my great joy and a blessing from God to be walking the road of salvation and Life together with you, loving one another and praying for one another, in Christ,
Fr. Michael