03.14.06
Prayer Requests: Timing for Restart of Therapy and A Clear Mind
Just a quick update today. I have continued to be a bit more fatigued than usual and to run a low grade fever each evening. Both products of the chemo therapy I had and signs of ongoing work of the chemo in my system as toxins are cleared out. Not the end of the world at all!
The first prayer request for today is that we need to decide about when to restart the targeted molecular therapy. The six or eight deep blisters on each foot (like the ones on the balls of my feet and big toes in the photo) are much better, but some still make walking and standing unpleasant (though NO COMPARISON to what I was experiencing Thursday and Friday). In some cases the reaction does not repeat as the drug is restarted. That is our prayer request.
Related: Rash and scalp problems remain as irritants. With foot pain abating I am discovering that the itching and pain on the rest of my skin is enough to keep me awake at night. There are some medications that can help me with these. But I would still appreciate prayer.
Second request: As I have experienced in the past, I am finding that my underlying fibromyalgia (a syndrome I have had for years) still acts as an ampliphier for pain and discomfort. So no relief there. The real issue is that when I am not feeling well I find it hard to concentrate on anything, most significantly reading scripture. So I would ask that you pray that even in the midst of pain that the Lord’s word would penetrate through. Indeed, his word is able to create a universe and holds up that universe now. It can surely penetrate through this pain.
Blessings, Al
Sam Chung said,
March 14, 2006 at 8:40 pm
I during M.Div course here (class of 05) appreciated Prof. Al’s pastoral presence in classes. Now that I hear the illness and never-cast-down spirit in the midst of this by Prof. Al., I once again look back on the days he was in classes. The same person, the same man of God he is. Never really changes according to the circumstances.
I thank God for a brief time I was under you,
take courage, for you are in many people’s prayer,
take care Professor,
sam chung
mary conway said,
March 14, 2006 at 8:55 pm
hi al- your comment on fm predominating and being unable to concentrate on scripture struck home. haven’t read scripture in years because of same problem, and hard to pray also. after much beating up of myself and wondering what good was i if i couldnt pray, decided that God already knew that and probably wasn’t expecting it of me and accepted me fog-brain and all. so now i just try to check in w/ Him as of ten as can, get off some groggy little prayers if i can, and in the worst of times repeating something rote where i don’t have to think- serenity prayer works for me. so sorry to hear of violent reaction to the mol. therapy- am sending up groggy little prayers for all of you- love mary
judi said,
March 15, 2006 at 10:31 pm
al, i’m so glad the blisters have subsided, they looked very painful… you and libbie and the kids are in my thoughts and prayers. i will continue to pray for additional physical strength and for less itching so you can sleep.
we stand with you, dear brother, you are much loved.
judi
DR. EMMANUEL USUE said,
March 16, 2006 at 11:17 am
Al Groves,
I was your student between 2000 and 2002 at WTS.
I learned about your situation recently.
My family and I have been praying for you.
We are convinced that God will take you through
this process succesfully. Stay calm and see the deliverance
of the Lord!
Your former student,
Dr. Emmanuel Usue
(Benue State University and Reformed Theological Seminary, Nigeria)