Thanks for your prayers and concern for me. Carol went with me for my check-up at the UW Medical Center ALS Clinic Nov 12 and the news was very encouraging. As expected, I am losing some strength on my right side but they were pleasantly surprised that it had not progressed even more. They pulled and pushed and said, "Wow." This disease results in muscle loss, thus weight loss. Praise God when they weighed me Nov 12 I had not lost any weight.
So far, my progression has been slow. That is an answer to prayer. They checked my ability to swallow by eating crackers, applesauce, and cheese and drinking water. I still have 100% swallowing ability. Praise God. The speech therapist checked my speaking ability and it has not decreased at all. I still need to slow down and articulate clearly, and I'm doing the best I can, although I've spent most of my life talking fast (you think so?). This must be an answer to prayer by some of you who prayed, "Lord, please help Marc speak a bit slower." Your prayers are working on that issue, too!
For me, healing from the Great Physician includes more than a complete healing from this disease - I am wide open for that, and let's keep praying for it! It includes slowing the progression and minimizing strength loss and fatigue.
I could not have a more supportive wife in Carol and in my family. For those of you who know us, it comes as no surprise that we are dealing with this disease and its ramifications together. This is not Marc's disease, it's my family's disease. We've chosen to deal with it with eyes wide open, not denying anything but living in reality, and going on with our lives. That's why we traveled to Japan and Hawaii recently. We spend a lot of time laughing, enjoying our lives and talking about a great future. Further, I can't think of a more supportive and caring congregation than CMC. You continually lift my spirits.
Thanks again for seeking the Lord for us. God hears and answers prayer. He knows what's best and my heart rests in him.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Health Update - Sep 12, 2008
My last regular appt was Aug 25 at the UW Med Center. They tested the strength in my arms, legs and tongue and their official word – “Very strong.”
I was given a pulmonary test to determine my lung capacity and I scored 95% on 2 separate tests (80% is considered normal).
I am not losing weight – which is great news. No evidence of any swallowing problems, which often becomes a key issue for those with ALS.
I can’t begin to express what your love and prayers mean to me, Carol, and our family. Thank you and please keep it up – we know you will.
I was given a pulmonary test to determine my lung capacity and I scored 95% on 2 separate tests (80% is considered normal).
I am not losing weight – which is great news. No evidence of any swallowing problems, which often becomes a key issue for those with ALS.
I can’t begin to express what your love and prayers mean to me, Carol, and our family. Thank you and please keep it up – we know you will.
Friday, June 27, 2008
June 27,2008
Your prayers for my health and our family mean everything to us. We are asking God for a healing miracle. Just your encouraging comments, notes, cards, letters, emails, and telling us that you love us and are praying for us “makes our day.” I remain physically strong. I believe prayer has kept me strong.
This whole episode has renewed friendships from our past all over the country and the world. Psalm 34:8-10 (NIV), “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” God’s love is never ending. Praise his name.
This whole episode has renewed friendships from our past all over the country and the world. Psalm 34:8-10 (NIV), “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” God’s love is never ending. Praise his name.
Monday, June 9, 2008
June 9, 2008
There are many helpful websites to get info about ALS. Here's a simple and clear site that helps children understand the disease - might help some adults, too! www.kidshealth.org/kid/grownup/conditions/als.html
Here's what I shared in CMC services yesterday, June 8:
"I face a bit of a challenge today. I don't want to come across as cold and I don't want to be a bumbling, crying heap. I've asked the Lord to help me and I know you'll give me a lot of space.
A letter was mailed First Class this week to 1500 active CMC families - about 3,500 people.
If you did not receive the letter, you can get a copy today as you leave and you can read it on my blog. The letter gives an update on my medical challenge and my plans for the future.
It explained that I have been diagnosed with ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig's Disease, that I'm in the very early stages, and that I plan to continue serving this congregation for years to come.
Carol and I thank you for all your emails, calls, cards and prayers. Your understanding, love and support have been overwhelming.
You have shared this prayer need with your family and friends, and with prayer chains and churches all over the world. How can we thank you enough!
This isn't something I'm dealing with alone. Carol and our entire family are facing this thing together. We've gone to medical appointments together, cried together, prayed together, laughed together, and lifted each other up. And, we know it's challenging and even painful for many of you as we walk through this together.
Here are a few key points I want to emphasize today:
1. Some may not know what to say to us and will feel uncomfortable being around us - we understand that.
No one should feel they need to make a detailed statement to us, or feel you need to give us medical advice. All you need to say is that you're praying for us and you love us. We just hope you won't avoid us because you're not sure what to say or how to act. Please, just be yourself.
2. Please - let's not make this the major focus of our church.
We have a healthy, vibrant, and Christ-honoring church - let's keep it that way. We enjoy a lot of laughter and fun around here - let's keep it that way. Laughter is great medicine for all of us!
Let's keep exuding a positive and faith-filled spirit in all we do. People need hope and encouragement. They need to be lifted up when they come here. Let's all do everything we can to make that happen.
3. I feel very good. I am physically strong. I plan to move ahead with my life and I hope you will, too. And, I hope we will as an entire church.
THE LORD HAS A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE FOR CHRIST MEMORIAL CHURCH. I plan to be part of that future and I hope you do, too."
Marc
Here's what I shared in CMC services yesterday, June 8:
"I face a bit of a challenge today. I don't want to come across as cold and I don't want to be a bumbling, crying heap. I've asked the Lord to help me and I know you'll give me a lot of space.
A letter was mailed First Class this week to 1500 active CMC families - about 3,500 people.
If you did not receive the letter, you can get a copy today as you leave and you can read it on my blog. The letter gives an update on my medical challenge and my plans for the future.
It explained that I have been diagnosed with ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig's Disease, that I'm in the very early stages, and that I plan to continue serving this congregation for years to come.
Carol and I thank you for all your emails, calls, cards and prayers. Your understanding, love and support have been overwhelming.
You have shared this prayer need with your family and friends, and with prayer chains and churches all over the world. How can we thank you enough!
This isn't something I'm dealing with alone. Carol and our entire family are facing this thing together. We've gone to medical appointments together, cried together, prayed together, laughed together, and lifted each other up. And, we know it's challenging and even painful for many of you as we walk through this together.
Here are a few key points I want to emphasize today:
1. Some may not know what to say to us and will feel uncomfortable being around us - we understand that.
No one should feel they need to make a detailed statement to us, or feel you need to give us medical advice. All you need to say is that you're praying for us and you love us. We just hope you won't avoid us because you're not sure what to say or how to act. Please, just be yourself.
2. Please - let's not make this the major focus of our church.
We have a healthy, vibrant, and Christ-honoring church - let's keep it that way. We enjoy a lot of laughter and fun around here - let's keep it that way. Laughter is great medicine for all of us!
Let's keep exuding a positive and faith-filled spirit in all we do. People need hope and encouragement. They need to be lifted up when they come here. Let's all do everything we can to make that happen.
3. I feel very good. I am physically strong. I plan to move ahead with my life and I hope you will, too. And, I hope we will as an entire church.
THE LORD HAS A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE FOR CHRIST MEMORIAL CHURCH. I plan to be part of that future and I hope you do, too."
Marc
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
June 4, 2008
Dear CMC Family:
Thank you so much for all of your concern and prayers for my health and our family. Our hearts have been lifted up on many occasions knowing God’s people are calling out to Him for us.
I have recently been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I didn’t notice any symptoms until sometime after Easter. Since then, I’ve had a series of tests that indicate I am in the very early stages.
My medical team at the University of Washington Medical Center ALS Clinic has told us my symptoms are subtle.
Some of you know that ALS most often affects swallowing and the respiratory system. Specific tests on both of those areas show no affects whatever so far. The disease progresses at different rates and in different ways in different people.
We are aggressively fighting this disease with everything we have and in the name of the Lord. I am following a regimen laid out for me by my UW medical team, including exercise.
At our request, mighty prayer warriors at CMC have prayed over our entire family and I’m sure we’ll ask them to pray for us again. The Elder Board has anointed me with oil and prayed. We are bathed in love, prayer and support. Ultimately, we live in God’s hands.
I am physically strong and will continue leading this great congregation. I have a lot of vision and passion to see this work of God continue to grow and thrive. I have no plans to retire anytime soon – I plan to serve here for years to come. Our Elder Board is 100% supportive. God has wonderful days ahead for us.
I continue my regular work schedule. However, I am not pushing it but am taking regular rest times to pace myself. As already planned, Carol and I will take some vacation this summer. We are going to Japan in late September for a wedding reception for our son and his wife who were married in Tokyo in late November. Our entire family is heading to Hawaii again in January.
I will be speaking this Sunday, June 8, as I end my current teaching series.
On July 6, the weekend following our Patriotic Sunday, I begin a new summer teaching series – How Can I Know God’s Will for My Life? That’s a question every serious believer asks and God has some clear answers for us. This will be an updated version of a similar series I did in 2005, and I’m really looking forward to it.
The Day of Celebration planned for June 22 to honor Carol and me on our 30th service anniversary at CMC has nothing to do with this disease. It was planned long before any of us became aware of my health needs.
Please continue to pray for us. Pray for God’s healing in my body and in those of others. Pray God’s peace and comfort into our lives and those of others who are also facing challenging times. Pray for the ongoing health and vitality of the church body, that we will walk in faith and without fear. Pray that God will use this time to reveal Himself to each of us in fresh and deep ways. May God be honored in everything we think, say and do. Carol and I love you dearly.
In His mighty name,
Pastor Marc
Dear CMC Family:
Thank you so much for all of your concern and prayers for my health and our family. Our hearts have been lifted up on many occasions knowing God’s people are calling out to Him for us.
I have recently been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I didn’t notice any symptoms until sometime after Easter. Since then, I’ve had a series of tests that indicate I am in the very early stages.
My medical team at the University of Washington Medical Center ALS Clinic has told us my symptoms are subtle.
Some of you know that ALS most often affects swallowing and the respiratory system. Specific tests on both of those areas show no affects whatever so far. The disease progresses at different rates and in different ways in different people.
We are aggressively fighting this disease with everything we have and in the name of the Lord. I am following a regimen laid out for me by my UW medical team, including exercise.
At our request, mighty prayer warriors at CMC have prayed over our entire family and I’m sure we’ll ask them to pray for us again. The Elder Board has anointed me with oil and prayed. We are bathed in love, prayer and support. Ultimately, we live in God’s hands.
I am physically strong and will continue leading this great congregation. I have a lot of vision and passion to see this work of God continue to grow and thrive. I have no plans to retire anytime soon – I plan to serve here for years to come. Our Elder Board is 100% supportive. God has wonderful days ahead for us.
I continue my regular work schedule. However, I am not pushing it but am taking regular rest times to pace myself. As already planned, Carol and I will take some vacation this summer. We are going to Japan in late September for a wedding reception for our son and his wife who were married in Tokyo in late November. Our entire family is heading to Hawaii again in January.
I will be speaking this Sunday, June 8, as I end my current teaching series.
On July 6, the weekend following our Patriotic Sunday, I begin a new summer teaching series – How Can I Know God’s Will for My Life? That’s a question every serious believer asks and God has some clear answers for us. This will be an updated version of a similar series I did in 2005, and I’m really looking forward to it.
The Day of Celebration planned for June 22 to honor Carol and me on our 30th service anniversary at CMC has nothing to do with this disease. It was planned long before any of us became aware of my health needs.
Please continue to pray for us. Pray for God’s healing in my body and in those of others. Pray God’s peace and comfort into our lives and those of others who are also facing challenging times. Pray for the ongoing health and vitality of the church body, that we will walk in faith and without fear. Pray that God will use this time to reveal Himself to each of us in fresh and deep ways. May God be honored in everything we think, say and do. Carol and I love you dearly.
In His mighty name,
Pastor Marc
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