For those interested, I wanted to share a quick update on my health since I haven’t done so since I started chemotherapy.
In general I’m feeling fine; my biggest complaint is being low-energy and feeling tired most of the time. I simply don’t have the physical, mental, or emotional energy I used to have and it’s noticeable to me. Part of this is that I’m still recovering from surgery, part of it is the chemotherapy. The weeks I take chemo the fatigue is much worse than other weeks.
I’m mostly back at work, just without the energy or stamina I had before. It’s good, though, to be back at it and doing what I can.
There are all sorts of side effects I could experience from the chemo but basically I’m just fatigued, which I’ll take instead of many of the others. I am hoping and praying that my energy will continue to increase and I’ll start to get stronger.
The plan is for me to get an MRI every two months to check on the tumor. If the tumor is staying the same or shrinking, that is good news. If it’s growing, that is bad news and we will almost certainly add radiation to the treatment plan. Today I had my first MRI and the results showed that the tumor hasn’t changed much since the surgery. It’s a little difficult to tell because my brain was swollen and stuff was pushed around right after the surgery, so comparing the four-month MRI to this two-month MRI will provide us with clearer results. But according to the radiologist and my oncologist, it looks like for the most part the tumor has stayed the same since the surgery.
I will continue on the chemotherapy and in two more months we’ll get another MRI; if in that the tumor is still the same or has shrunk, we’ll continue the chemo another two months. If it’s growing then we will look at other treatment options, most likely radiation first.
For those of you praying for me – thank you so much. Please keep them up! And thank you for the love.
Staying the same is good news Jackson the scripture that came to me as I read this was the one where Peter says he wants to walk on water and Jesus tells him to come and he does and he keeps his eyes on Jesus and walks on water only until he lets his eyes wander onto the waves around him I think of you Jackson keeping your eyes on Jesus not on the tumor that’s what I had to do; we can walk on water! Will keep praying for you.
Thank you for the update. Been praying for you and your family, and was thinking about messaging you and asking how you were – which I knew would be a pain b/c you probably have 100s of people asking you how you are doing. Will continue to pray for a complete recovery, and for renewed energy. Praying for your family too!
Am continuing to do so. Thanks for the update, dude.
My heart goes out to you and I will keep you in Pray. I’m still on for bringing dinner on Feb 23rd. Please tell me the TRUTH. Work you like me to bring you dinner for the second week in Feb question. It would be my blessing. You take care of your self and keep your hope on Christ.
Thanks for the update. Still thinking of you and the family every day. I’m still sending positive energy your way too!!! Love you and the family. Please give Janelle my love too
We continue to pray for you and the family…Love from Texas
Still in our prayers… I know that fatigue…. Seems unshakeable…I found that being fatigued allowed me to give myself a break… And try to enjoy each moment… Tough when you are used to being high energy and productive I know… It’s a different kind of productive…:-).
Belinda! So good to hear from you, and thanks for the encouragement!
Christina and I are praying for you and your family Jackson. Thank you for your encouraging posts about walking by faith, and even in your suffering continuing to point others to Jesus. We will keep lifting you up and hope to see you when we visit next month.
Thanks for your prayers, Caleb! I do sometimes say to myself “at least I don’t have dengue!”
Jackson, you, Janelle and the girls are in our prayers. There’s a group of us praying together in North Stockton and you are prayed for each week. I love the book of James and the hope and comfort we get through the hard times. Even in this struggle, I can see the hand of God using your life and family for his glory. Ephesians 2:10 we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Thank you Heidi!
I know what you mean about the energy drain of chemo. I saw it in my younger brother when he had it and later underwent gama knife radiation to shrink his tumor. What I find amazing is the focus and clarity of your writing. Your physical energy may be less, but your mind is still very focused. I pray your strength will return as the effects of the chemo fade. I pray that God is with you always.
Thank you Tom.
Wonderful news Jackson!!! How you & your family are growing in Faith!!! And thank you for being such awesome examples of God’s Own!!! Praise God!!! You and yours continue to be in my prayers! In the midst of your tiredness may your spirit be lifted up & filled with peace so beyond awesome & understanding!!!!
Thanks Donna!
Hi Pastor Jackson,
Sometimes I don’t always know how to pray but I know the Lord knows our hearts and he knows yours and I’m so thankful that tumor is not growing and that you are getting around pretty good! It’s always nice to be back to work specially where you work it must be pretty awesome!! I know your wife and kids are loving that as well. I just trust that things would be getting better every day & and that you will be totally Healed in Jesus name!!!
Love to you and your family❤
Thank you Candi!