Original Email #2

Here are the emails I sent out a few weeks ago... I'm just adding them to my blog to keep everything in one place! ...it's the organizer in me :)

Email #2
We are getting treatment at the new Richardson Regional Cancer Center off of George Bush & Renner. It just opened in October and is beautiful. Our Oncologist is Dr. Sam Bibawi - so far a great man. He used to work at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. And from what we've been told, they are going to rotate Dr.'s from that center and this center to help keep it state of the art and on the cutting edge. We have a precious friend of the family that is an Oncologist Nurse and about to graduate as a nurse practitioner in the field of Oncology. She works at the Baylor Dallas unit and was trying to get us to treat Ted there. She even spoke with a nurse of one of the best doctors there. I really wanted Ted to go there... but our family doctor had recommended Dr. Bibawi and as Ted did research on him, he really felt like God gave him a peace about this Doctor. Also he is a leader in the study of blood diseases in the field of Oncology (which Lymphoma is a blood cancer) and writes articles and teaches about his findings. However, we agreed that once we met him in person, if either of us felt uneasy about Dr. Bibawi, then we would look at the other doctor @ Baylor. I have to tell you that our first time in the clinic when we met with him, he was so kind and open and hopeful... I was really impressed - with him and his nurse and really, all the people working there. Immediately, you feel like you are a part of a new family. I even told Ted how much it felt they way we hope our church makes visitors feel - it was amazing... you actually want to go back!!! lol!

Yesterday we had a great experience and confirmation that God is in control of this whole situation. First of all, we were treated so kindly by all of the nurses in the OR prep room. Really, I think they felt sorry for us since this was the 3rd time we'd been there in a week! Never the less, it was nice to have such good attention after the schedule changes and confusion. Secondly, one of the nurses spent some time with us and shared how she had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She had to treat it 3 different times b/c it came back, but since her last treatment, she has been cancer free for 5 yrs. We really appreciated her honesty with us. Finally, Ted's surgeon, the second option since the first one was away b/c of a death in his family, Dr. Gary White was a God send. He came to talk to us one more time before Ted was taken to the Operating Room. He had heard that we were pastors and asked if he could pray with us before the surgery. We all three took hands and he prayed an amazing prayer that I know just glorified Christ! Ted and I were blown away! We were also reminded at that moment that God knows exactly what is going on and if we continue to trust HIM, then HE WILL direct our paths. Wow. What a great God we serve! I was so excited to know that our surgeon was a man of God first and that he used his gifts to honor God. So even though yesterday was physically exhausting, it was spiritually invigorating.

So, Friday will be the first round of Chemo. We will go and get Ted’s lungs tested at the hospital and then come back to the Cancer Center and begin the treatments. This will be a very long day. The nurse said that it will be about 6 hours. On Saturday, we will go back again and they will give Ted a booster shot to help his blood cell count go back up, hopefully by the time of the next chemo treatment in 2 weeks.

Do you know how God has shown Himself to us the most? …Through each of you with your love and kindness. You have reflected Christ in a way that has caught us off guard and left Ted and I speechless... and at times, even in tears. We are forever grateful for you all.

Love and Hugs,
Nikol (and Ted!)