September 16, 2001: next phase; post 9/11 musing

Vol. 12.1

Hi Friends. I thought I'd say a quick hello and give you an update on the last couple weeks and what's to come in the next few days.

First, I've said a prayer for you all during these past few, terrible days. How awful. As some of you know, I was in Canada during the attacks, supposedly resting and relaxing with friends and family before the stem cell protocol begins.

I had the chance to go to my father's church last Sunday night and thank them for their prayers (as well as combat a "faith/claim it" woman who demanded I tell her "in Jesus' name I am cancer free"--I told her God was faithful, regardless of my having or not having cancer, and that would be what I'd "confess"), and the following day spend some quality time with friends in London—especially a great night with a bunch of Met friends at a bar downtown. The next day I was set to spend with family and more of my best friends, and then head to Canada for time with other friends and then go to the Toronto Film Festival the next day with Bob, but after a breakfast with a young man who survived my last stint as a youth pastor I went back to my room to change and flipped on the TV. What I saw, obviously, changed my plans. I got on the phone and started trying to reach Sheri, packed my things and headed for the border. I crossed the border late Tuesday afternoon with surprising speed--trucks were backed up about 2/3rds of a mile, but all in the right lane, letting passenger traffic go by quickly. There were only about 20 cars in the queue at the US border, and they had 2-5 customs agents per "gate", along with dogs and very visible firearms. Still, it wasn't that much longer an inspection--they checked the trunk and and actually stamped my passport--and I was through in about 5 minutes. I drove as far as Rochester and stopped for the night, then left @ 9am the next morning and was home by just passed 2pm. Sheri had been kept home from work Wednesday since her offices are directly across the street from both Independence Mall (Liberty Bell; Declaration of Independence, etc.) and another Federal Building, as well as the fact that her building contains two consulates, so she was home--and just as freaked out by the whole thing as I was--much like I felt in late March. In short, it was a time to be together.

As restless as this week has been, the week before--spent in Camden Maine with Sheri's parents, was deeply restful. We ate lobster, enjoyed the cool air, and read. It was good preparation for what's to come.

Which begins tomorrow. I check in sometime tomorrow afternoon for the first phase of the stem cell transplant (see vol. 11.1), and honestly, I'm a little anxious. It's a new hospital, new staff and new protocol, so everything is out of balance, and will be for a while. We're doing a nice dinner this evening since I don't know what will follow my three days of hospitalization on this round--and since the doctors have told me to expect to be miserable for at least 12 weeks.

Anyway, that's that. I was accused of being brave this week, and decided to let you all know I am not. I'm scared--we both are--but we are also confident that God will use this foolishness for good. As our pastor reminded us this morning: faith is not just enduring a hardship, but allowing God to turn it to glory. That's our prayer, for my unique trial, and for the trial we face together as the West.

love to you all....

Dwight

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