From: Rachelle Miller [dyb97006@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 6:50 PM

Subject: Update on Peter

Whew! What a busy week...doctors' appointments, trips
to the physical therapist, boy scouts, getting ready
for a ski trip (Calvin, not Peter!). I must admit,
it's just flown by.

Peter saw his surgeon on Monday. The surgeon was very
upbeat but very honest. Surgery is scheduled for
January 23 at 7:30am PST. It will be very extensive
and last 6-7 hours. They will remove his bladder,
prostate, urethra, and a variety of lymph nodes from
the area. He will have a standard urostomy, and will
wear an external appliance. This decision is based on
the type and location of his cancer and, frankly, his
size. For those of you who haven't met him in person,
Peter is 6' or so and big. That limits some of the
options because they haven't proven to be successful
on folks outside the norm. But, Peter is positive
about it, and, knowing him, it won't slow him down
much!

The incision itself will be akin to the old-fashion
c-section, long and vertical. He will be in the
hospital about a week, but should not have any tubes
when he comes home. After the first couple of days in
the hospital he won't be on a restricted diet, either.
Also, we should have at least a preliminary pathology
report by the time he comes home. Needless to say,
both of us are on pins and needles waiting for that
even now.

The doctor was pleased with Peter's recovery from
chemo. His coloring is good, he has regained his sense
of humor (which may NOT be such a blessing ;-) ), and
he's starting to sprout a bit of hair here and there.
He actually has had to shave occasionally throughout
chemo, but now the occasions are coming a bit closer
together! And I have teased him about getting a
haircut, although it will probably be a while before
he really needs one.

The doctor was also pleased that the last CT scan
looked as good as it did and that Peter was released
from chemo early. To be honest, he was not looking
forward to doing the last 2 rounds. It was a major
blessing from God that he was spared. Now Peter is
visiting with a physical therapist who is trying to
help his sore back (injured just before chemo started)
heal a bit. Hopefully it is nothing more than pulled
muscles that have just been slow getting back to
normal. We hope she can give him some relief before
his surgery.

Please continue praying for us. In particular, please
pray that the doctor has success placing the ostomy in
the optimal spot, that he have strength and courage
and a steady hand throughout this long surgery. Pray
for wisdom for the doctors and nurses that will be
working with Peter. Pray for a keen eye for the
pathologist. Please continue asking for strength and
encouragement for the children and me, especially for
Calvin. He struggles with discussing Peter's illness.
He's worried to death, but gets very anxious when we
try to fill him in. Please ask that God put a hedge
around Peter while he is in surgery and is recovering
in the hospital...and no infections, please! Please
ask the Lord to help us be patient with one another,
and to give guidance and protection to Reba and Amber
who will be holding down the fort and taking care of
the home fires while I stay with Peter in the
hospital. Ask for continued health (no colds and
flus) for the family. And most of all, keep praying
for Peter to take that step and acknowledge Jesus as
Savior and Lord of his life.

As for me, I claim two Bible verses and bring them to
mind when things get tough:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face
trials of many kinds because you know that the testing
of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance
must finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

and

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

I've learned that God uses the hard times to help me
grow and that I can lean on Him through it all. I may
hate it, I may struggle, and I may cry often, but I'm
NEVER alone. Thank You, Lord.

And thank you, dear friends. You are integral to
Peter's healing process. Your good thoughts and
prayers encourage him (and me!) more than you will
ever know.

May God bless you and keep you all,

Much love,

Rachelle

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