The Story So Far....

Hello!

Many of you have heard us share God in the good times, and we thought it only right that we share God in the stormy times too. We feel quite vulnerable doing so because we don't know what lies ahead (or how we will cope with it!) but for the minute, we are trusting God and know that our times are in his hands. 

Many of you will be aware that Alan is currently coping with renal cell (kidney) cancer. We thought we'd share a bit of our journey so far and keep you up to date with what is happening. 

So...

• 29th December 2017 - Alan had one kidney removed as he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour. We were so grateful it was found early because of blood in his urine - it's usually found too late to treat. 
• 23rd July 2018 -  Alan had another cancerous growth removed 
• 25th March 2019 - Routine scan showed more cancerous 'dots.' Because Alan is generally fit and well, they didn't want to treat him with chemotherapy as this would make him feel quite poorly. We were told the cancerous dots were slow-growing, and that they would keep an eye on him with a scan in a few months. 
• 12th May 2019 - My birthday celebration - Alan was chasing the grandchildren across the beach, in his usual style!
• Over the next two weeks, Alan started getting breathless and coughing.
• 21st May 2019 - visit to the doctor, thinking it was a respiratory infection. Alan was given antibiotics and told to come back if they didn't help to clear things up. 
• 24th - 27th May 2019 - Alan and I went on a short holiday and enjoyed time cycling on the Granite Trail and visiting Buckfastleigh Abbey. Alan spent the Sunday and Monday in bed as he was feeling quite unwell, and we cut our holiday short and came back home. 
• 28th May 2019 - We tried to get a doctors appointment for Alan but it was a no-go. That evening, Alan could hardly breathe and we ended up to A&E. It eased off a bit and they sent him home, instructing him to go to the doctors in the morning. 
• 29th May 2019 - The doctor sent Alan straight back to A&E as his oxygen levels were extremely low. They drained 1.5litres of fluid from his worst-affected lung, and he felt much better after that! Various tests were carried out to try and determine the reason for the fluid build up. 
• 30th May 2019 - Back to hospital at 8am for a scan. They encouraged us to go on our planned trip to The Minack to see Sister Act. We were very grateful to our friend Beth who drove us there and back - the show was excellent. 
• 31st May 2019 - We had a call from the doctor - not looking good, it looks like the fluid build up is caused by the cancer. Restless night. We were up at 4am eating yoghurt... I said to Alan "you know this isn't looking good, if it's in your lungs." He shared that he didn't feel that it was his time to go yet but we were in for a bumpy ride. 

When Jesus was facing the cross he asked his father if he could be spared going through what lay ahead, 'but not my will but yours be done'. This is our prayer too.

We know that the road ahead is looking rough. The song going through my head at the minute is the Johnny Cash song "You've gotta walk that lonesome valley, you've got to walk there by yourself." 

Despite that, we are so grateful that we don't have to walk this on our own. "Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will be there with you. " The Bible tells us that God will be with us, and we are so grateful for all of the prayers from our friends and family. 

Thank you for reading this, and for your continued support, 

Sue

P.s. Here is a video of Alan (in the red coat) 'recovering' 1 month ish after having his kidney removed - major op!! You can't keep a good man down!!