Welcome To Bruce's Cancer Blog

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

“Mr. Franklin, you are scheduled for check-in at Rex Hospital at 4:00 this afternoon. It appears to be cancer of the pancreas.” And so began the journey on which we currently find ourselves.

As I write this first blog post we are at the midway point of the initial chemo treatments prescribed. There will be a total of four treatments after which a scan will be taken to determine the impact of the chemo on the tumor and where we go from that point.

For the most part we have enjoyed relatively good health over the years, but recently that has changed. Some six years ago Pam was diagnosed with a neurological condition known as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). For all practical purposes she is homebound. Needless to say since the PSP diagnosis our lives have required much adjustment. Through it all, the Lord has been faithful in His provision for us, guiding us to both a wonderful medical team and a couple of awesome physical therapists.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have anticipated the idea of blogging about cancer. As editor of our weekly newsletter I had been encouraged to consider blogging about similar topics covered in my weekly column but thus far had resisted taking that on due to the busyness of the season we were in, with Pam's home care needs and my work obligations.

In late May / early June of this year, following some painful abdominal challenges, I began to suspect that something was very wrong in the days leading up to that phone call on June 3rd. And now, following a short week of labs, ultrasounds and an MRI, our primary care doctor was calling to let us know that cancer was the most likely cause of the pain and discomfort of the past couple of weeks.

My immediate reaction was to think, “No! not me, not us! This can’t be happening!” Then the rapid-fire questions, “What if the preliminary diagnosis is confirmed? How will that work, given the ongoing challenges with Pam’s PSP? What treatment options will we have? "

Then came the still small voice of the Lord, speaking back to me those words recorded above from Proverbs. It was at that point that my whole thought process changed from victim of cancer to victor in Christ. I refuse to let this cancer be the focal point of my life. Instead, I will trust the Lord with this and my prayer is that through it all as He acts on my behalf He will be exalted and glorified.

I have had more than one person tell me they don't understand how or why this could have happened with the things we were already dealing with due to Pam's PSP. The fact of the matter is that this side of heaven we will likely never understand why things like this happen as they do. But I do know that the Bible makes it clear we yet live in a broken, fallen world that is subject to diseases such as cancer. Nearing the end of His earthly ministry our Lord Jesus spoke these words to His disciples: "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b.

Following that phone call with our doctor I turned to Pam to let her know what he had said. I suppose there aren’t many things that strike fear in the heart like hearing the ‘C’ word. After we shed some tears and composed ourselves I called my brother Sam and he and his wife Sheila dropped everything and came to take me to Rex. Over the next few minutes we found out that my brother Joe and his wife Susan had been contacted and were headed our way from South Carolina to take care of Pam during my hospital stay.

As this journey has unfolded Pam and I have come to realize that we are deeply loved by both of our families, by our faith family at New Sandy Creek and many brothers and sisters of faith with whom we've been connected over the years. We have been overwhelmed by the sacrifices so many have made to get me to appointments and to be available to meet Pam's needs. The prayers of the saints continue to lift us up before the Lord bringing that comfort and peace that passes all understanding.

During my initial hospital stay I was quickly made aware that the Lord had provided me with a group of medical professionals who left no doubt that they are His instruments of healing. Then as I met with my surgeon it became clear that He, too is a believer. On the day my diagnosis was confirmed, my surgeon's PA brought us the news. As we finished our discussion regarding next steps, he spotted my David Jeremiah devotion book, turned and said, "Mr. Franklin I want you to know that I, too am a believer and I always like to pray with our patients if they would like for me to do so." Well, what do you think my answer was?

My cancer care is being done through UNC Rex Cancer Treatment Center and on a regular basis the Lord continues to affirm His care through His servants who leave no doubt about their faith in Him and are constantly letting me know that they, too are part of that army of prayer warriors who are interceding on my behalf.

For the most part the treatments are going about as well as we could hope for. I have encountered some challenges with low energy, fatigue and lack of appetite. These are not unexpected symptoms; after all the chemo treatments are pumping poison into my body. Obviously, the chemo targets the cancer but can also result in some harsh side effects.

I did have one major setback at the end of the second week following my first treatment and was hospitalized for a few days with a gall bladder infection. This delayed my scheduled second treatment by 2 weeks and caused other short-term challenges, all of which have been resolved thanks to many prayers and a great medical team.

Earlier this week during a follow up with my surgeon he informed me that my latest lab results show that the cancer numbers are coming down, indicating that the tumor is responding to the chemo as intended. Needless to say we were thrilled to get this news and as I reflected on it, these words of the psalmist came to mind: The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed. Psalm 41:3.

Our journey continues, with the third treatment scheduled for Monday, August 22. I leave you with these words from the psalmist:

Psalm 91

1Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you

from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.