A Semple Journey 10.29.2011

A SEMPLE JOURNEY

SINCE WE FIRST FOUND out about the cancer on August 8, almost 3 months have gone by. It`s exactly two months today since we went to MD Anderson, and Dr. Ajani prescribed a regimen of 3 chemotherapy sessions which included oxaliplatin and a genetic called herceptin by infusion and Xeloda (capecitabine)tablets taken for 7 days followed by 2 more rounds of 10 days. Last Thursday I completed the third infusion (intravenous), and tomorrow I will take the final round of tablets. Our oldest son Jim and his wife Becky came down to take Betty and me to Baylor Cancer Hospital. Granddaughter Janae Gibson and little baby Daniel came to the hospital and they all 4 sat with me for the 4-hour procedure. (Baby could not go back to that area of course so they took turns entertaining him in the waiting room.)

IT SEEMED TO ME THAT my swallowing had become more difficult, so, through the extra efforts of our son John, an endoscopy was set up for Wednesday October 19 to see if there are any changes in the growths in my throat. The report was faxed to Dr. Denham here and to Dr. Ajani at MDA. We will probably hear from Dr. Denham on Monday and we will see Dr. Ajani in Houston on November 10, but pictures of the growth did not appear to indicate that the tumor had increased in size. Of course that was good news, and I have been swallowing better since then. Things seem to go down better when they are warmed, even much better than room temperature liquids. Next week I`m not scheduled to have any chemo, and I usually feel better that week.

GRANDSON JORDAN McKINNEY gave up an event at DBU this weekend to drive me to Stephenville today and bring me home tomorrow. I told him that I wanted him to go to the event, but he wouldn`t. We are scheduled to ordain 2 fine men as deacons in the morning service tomorrow, and I didn`t want to miss that. I had the delightful privilege of preaching the annual sermon for the Erath Baptist Association Monday October 17, and we had a good time together talking about the 7 golden candlesticks in the first chapter of the Revelation and the churches of the Asia Minor Baptist Association. Lots of great doctrine there about the autonomy of the churches under the Lordship of Christ Jesus and their voluntary cooperation together.

FBC STEPHENVILLE is such a great old church! These folk have been so kind to me, far better than I deserve. The Pastor Search Chairman announced last Sunday that a fine Pastor will preach in view of a call on November 20, and there was great joy among the people! They have been faithful, prayerful, and patient during the interim. Each one has stepped up to fill in the gaps, and they continue to bring people to Jesus nearly every week. They have not allowed attendance or offerings to decline during a 2-year interim. They are an amazing people. They have only had 2 pastors in the last half-century! That`s pretty amazing. I know that the Lord has hand picked a fine pastor suited just for them, and the Lord is so good to allow my path to lie in such pleasant places.

10.7.11

SEMPLE JOURNEY...

  TALK ABOUT A SUPPORT GROUP!

    _____________________

THIS IS A PICTURE of our family that gathered to celebrate Granddad’s 80th birthday back in August. There were maybe a dozen or so who just could not make it, but everyone made a special effort to be there. The event was planned months ago by our children, long before we knew about the bend in the road that we would be taking. I believe there are 47 precious family members in the picture. 14 sons, daughters and grown grandchildren were jammed in the oncologist`s tiny examining room to receive my initial prognosis. He had never seen any thing like that before! What a wonderful family we have...close knit, supportive of each other, love the Lord, always so helpful, and on and on I could go. Betty and I dearly love each one of you, precious family.

FRIENDS FROM ALL across the country have been sending notes of encouragement assuring us of your prayers. This means more to us than you will ever know. A friend who was once a member of our church in Paris, TX. who now lives in Cumming, Ga. sent an unusual gift of a beautiful laminated map of the United States with the states in different colors. She also sent stick-on stars of different colors and suggested that I place a star on each state where someone has sent a message that they are praying for us. I have already placed stars on 10 different states from New Mexico to Georgia and from Wisconsin to Texas.

Thank you, dear friends, for your prayers.

I AM HAVING my second round of chemotherapy. I had two chemo infusions on Thursday of last week, but the time seemed to go much faster this time because I had 3 beautiful women (my wife and 2 of our daughters) sitting with me and engaged in scintillating conversation. I am now taking 6 tablets a day orally for 10 days of chemo. Last weekend I was able to go to Stephenville, make some enjoyable visits in homes, and preach on Sunday. Then on Wednesday I was able to leave home about 6:30am, drive 2 hours to Stephenville, have breakfast with a group of senior adults, meet with our fine staff all morning, keep a few appointments in the afternoon, prayer meeting, and get back home about 9:00 pm. So I am thanking the Lord for His continuing strength.

I THINK I CAN ALMOST HEAR the old Apostle say, "So what do you want a medal? ' I have worked harder, been put in jail oftener, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again and again. Three times I was beaten with rods, five different times I was given 39 lashes,. Once I was stoned and left for dead, 3 times I was shipwrecked and swam with sharks for a night and all the next day. I have travelled many weary miles on foot, been in great danger from flooded rivers and robbers. I have faced down mobs in cities. I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food; often I have shivered with cold without enough clothing to keep me warm.'(II Corinthians 11:23-27Expanded Living Bible paraphrase)  Now what was it you were saying about going down to that town named for the first Christian Martyr who was stoned to death for Christ?" Well, nothing sir. I was just praising the Lord for His grace and strength!