2025 – A Summer and Fall of Surprises – God has a Plan and Purpose for Our Lives – Part VI

Allow me to digress for a moment. It’s good therapy. I was reminded this week of my passion for music. At around 10-12 years of age, my parents agreed to buy me some drumsticks, which I used to hit on the lids attached to large-sized, empty Shedd’s peanut butter jars my mother bought at Ft. Gordon commissary.  I loved peanut butter, and the more I ate, the more jars I had! The jars comprised my first drum kit. All of this culminated in my reaction to the Ed Sullivan Show, when the Beatles first performed in 1964. I was mesmerized by the Beatles, and my life was set – I wanted to be a drummer in a rock and roll band. Within a year, my dad bought me a real drum kit, a set of Pearl drums and cymbals. My mother was opposed to this, and over time, I briefly played in bands in high school, but the rock star idea never came to fruition. More about this in my blog covering the high school seminary years.

This past week, I met with the oncologist, Dr. Tidwell, to learn about the chemotherapy I would be receiving, which includes Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug. He started the appointment by telling me and Stephanie that the cancer had spread lightly to the liver and lungs, based on the PET scan. This was tough news for my family to take. Dr. Tidwell wanted to start the chemo after Thanksgiving, so I could enjoy time with my family. He said it wouldn’t make much of a difference to wait until after Thanksgiving, allowing me to have a pleasant holiday with my family.  December 1st would be the chemo start date. On Monday, I will have the port put in my upper chest for infusions through day surgery at WellStar/MCG.

I had a productive meeting on Friday with a palliative care physician, who was a mastermind at finding appropriate medications to address pain, nausea, and other symptoms related to chemo and problems associated with the cancer itself.  The pain in my chest, where the cancer is located, gets worse over time, and Tylenol alone isn’t going to alleviate the pain.  The physician was impressed with my exercise and appetite, where I am gaining some weight, which he said should work in my favor.  He emphasized – this wasn’t an end-of-life type of discussion, but just a means to add quality of life to the mix. 

On Saturday, I travelled with Stephanie and Ashley to see my fellow Carmelites at Holy Family Catholic Church in Marietta, GA. They have been tremendous supporters and prayer warriors in my battles with cancer, and they laid their hands on me in prayer for me to be healed and to rejoin their community as I have missed a lot of monthly meetings, or start one in Augusta, which they have encouraged me to do. Ashley helped with the driving and was quite impressed with the zeal of the Carmelites.  

Whenever I meet with the oncologist, I am asked about depression. I have my moments, but overall, and I’ve said this before, I am at peace with the problem. Each day, I take up my cross and make the most of each day. I share my experiences with others and find ways to lift up Stephanie through activities she would like to do, and avoid just lying on the couch, which is tempting during periods of fatigue. 

I much appreciate your prayers as I continue this journey, with a port being placed on Monday.

Blessings,

Joe