A Brief Update for Parishioners
March 02, 2010
Dear ones at St. Luke’s,
Christ is in our midst!
In your heartfelt loving care and prayerful concern, many of you have been thoughtfully asking about me. As I am just now beginning to feel a little bit better and once again more human, I'd like to offer you a brief update of how things are progressing.
First of all... Thank you for your love and prayers! This means the world to me, and I am certain that it is only by the grace of God, and through the prayers of so many beloved ones in Christ, that I have been able to survive the grueling treatments of the past six weeks. The combined chemo, radiation, and drug therapy finally came to a close this past Monday, Feb. 22nd. Although all the doctors and nurses all said that 'I did great' - for example, every week my blood work was good, etc. - still, I don't think I could have endured another week of it. Nausea every day, all day long... physically speaking, it was just miserable.
Nevertheless, God always provides us the strength, peace and joy to patiently endure all things; to take up the Cross, whatever form it may take in each of our lives, and to follow Christ in faith and love. So, although I wasn't able to vest and serve these past three Sundays, still, I haven't missed any Liturgy; and I have been blessed to at least have been able to hear confessions and help distribute the Holy Gifts. Following the Divine Liturgy yesterday, I'm feeling more energized (no pun intended for St. Gregory Palamas Sunday!) and I look forward to the Presanctified Liturgy this Wednesday, and then vesting to serve the Divine Liturgy once again next week on the Sunday of the Holy Cross.
The whole purpose of these treatments was to, God willing, shrink the mass enough so that it can be removed by a second surgery... which they say is my only hope for a 'cure'. I'll be receiving a CT scan on 3/23, just before Holy Week, to determine whether another surgery is an option or not, or if they might need and endoscopic ultrasound for a better picture of things. I meet with the oncologist on 3/26 to see if surgery is deemed a go, which is what we are praying for, and then it will be scheduled and likely take place soon after Holy Pascha. This was music to my ears, realizing that I will be blessed to be able to celebrate the Holy Week and Pascha services at St. Luke's once again this year!
That's about it for a brief medical update. Spiritually speaking, through our Lord's mercy and loving kindness, I feel very much at peace these days. Glory and thanks be to God! We are so blessed to be surrounded by such a loving, supportive and faithful parish family here at St. Luke's... and by a dear family in Christ that knows no geographical limitations, including all the faithful of our Archdiocese and beyond.
Just knowing that you are there and praying... this means everything! May God bless you always!
Thank you for your love and prayers,
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Michael
Christ is in our midst!
In your heartfelt loving care and prayerful concern, many of you have been thoughtfully asking about me. As I am just now beginning to feel a little bit better and once again more human, I'd like to offer you a brief update of how things are progressing.
First of all... Thank you for your love and prayers! This means the world to me, and I am certain that it is only by the grace of God, and through the prayers of so many beloved ones in Christ, that I have been able to survive the grueling treatments of the past six weeks. The combined chemo, radiation, and drug therapy finally came to a close this past Monday, Feb. 22nd. Although all the doctors and nurses all said that 'I did great' - for example, every week my blood work was good, etc. - still, I don't think I could have endured another week of it. Nausea every day, all day long... physically speaking, it was just miserable.
Nevertheless, God always provides us the strength, peace and joy to patiently endure all things; to take up the Cross, whatever form it may take in each of our lives, and to follow Christ in faith and love. So, although I wasn't able to vest and serve these past three Sundays, still, I haven't missed any Liturgy; and I have been blessed to at least have been able to hear confessions and help distribute the Holy Gifts. Following the Divine Liturgy yesterday, I'm feeling more energized (no pun intended for St. Gregory Palamas Sunday!) and I look forward to the Presanctified Liturgy this Wednesday, and then vesting to serve the Divine Liturgy once again next week on the Sunday of the Holy Cross.
The whole purpose of these treatments was to, God willing, shrink the mass enough so that it can be removed by a second surgery... which they say is my only hope for a 'cure'. I'll be receiving a CT scan on 3/23, just before Holy Week, to determine whether another surgery is an option or not, or if they might need and endoscopic ultrasound for a better picture of things. I meet with the oncologist on 3/26 to see if surgery is deemed a go, which is what we are praying for, and then it will be scheduled and likely take place soon after Holy Pascha. This was music to my ears, realizing that I will be blessed to be able to celebrate the Holy Week and Pascha services at St. Luke's once again this year!
That's about it for a brief medical update. Spiritually speaking, through our Lord's mercy and loving kindness, I feel very much at peace these days. Glory and thanks be to God! We are so blessed to be surrounded by such a loving, supportive and faithful parish family here at St. Luke's... and by a dear family in Christ that knows no geographical limitations, including all the faithful of our Archdiocese and beyond.
Just knowing that you are there and praying... this means everything! May God bless you always!
Thank you for your love and prayers,
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Michael