[Magdalen] Please pray for +WestMo

[Christopher Hart]

Prayers from one who has been there, done that (not the kidney though). The
pelvic area CT scan and bone scan were exactly what my doctor ordered as
soon as the prostate biopsy confirmed cancer there. Mine, fortunately, were
clear in the other areas, but Bishop Marty is rightly thankful that the
other tumor was discovered so soon in his case. May his recovery be
complete and joyful.

On Fri, Nov 18, 2016 at 6:40 AM Ginga Wilder <gingawilder at gmail.com> wrote:

> Prayers for Bishop Marty, his family, and the people of the Diocese of
> WestMo.
>
> Ginga Wilder
>
> On Fri, Nov 18, 2016 at 9:13 AM, Jon Egger <revegger at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
> >
> > I have realized anew in the last few days that personal circumstances
> > sometime intrude on what I consider to be the trajectory of my life and
> > ministry. Today I need to share with you about just such a personal
> > circumstance that will certainly effect the course of my life in the days
> > to come.
> >
> > About two weeks ago, following slightly troublesome lab results and a
> > biopsy procedure, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which is
> > unfortunately an all-too-common occurrence in men my age. In preparing to
> > deal with this condition, my doctor requested I have a CT scan and a bone
> > scan both to define the extent of the tumor and to be satisfied that the
> > cancer has not spread. These scans were accomplished this past Monday,
> > November 14th, and the next day, Tuesday, Donna and I sat down with my
> > physician to talk over the results of the tests. The scans verified a
> small
> > mass in my prostate and also identified another small mass in my right
> > kidney, which – as it turns out – is the more concerning of the two.
> >
> > The affected organs need to be surgically removed, and I meet with a
> > laparoscopic surgeon next Wednesday to set the date for the first of two
> > surgeries, the removal of my right kidney. Thankfully God saw fit when
> > humanity was created to give us a spare, so I will be able to live and
> > function very nicely on my good, left kidney. The second surgery, a
> > prostatectomy, will follow about 3 months later.
> >
> > Catching the tumor in my kidney, which is the more problematic of the two
> > issues, was a very serendipitous outcome of the CT scan. If I hadn’t had
> > the prostate problem, the kidney cancer could have grown silently until
> it
> > was far advanced. I am fortunate that both tumors are small, in an early
> > stage, and completely curable through surgery.
> >
> > The expected recovery time for each of these surgeries, though shorter
> than
> > I would have guessed, will affect my schedule of meetings, visitations,
> > etc., so I ask all members of the diocese to be understanding if I or a
> > member of the Bishop’s Staff asks to reschedule a meetings or event.
> > Working with my care team, I will try very hard not to let my medical
> needs
> > interfere with several, vital, diocesan events in the near future –
> events
> > about which you’ll hear more in the days to come – and not interfere with
> > the impending birth and celebration of our second grandchild (soon and
> very
> > soon!) However, I cannot be certain that recovering from surgery will
> > follow the schedule I desire. Again, personal circumstances sometime
> > intrude on what I consider to be the trajectory of my life and ministry.
> >
> > Therefore, I share this information so you will know that the Bishop’s
> > Staff and other diocesan leaders will be on the job to ensure the good
> > order of the diocese, so that you may know my personal situation, and to
> > solicit your prayers for Donna, for my family, and for me in this time of
> > challenge.
> >
> > May God richly bless each of you with health and thankful hearts as we
> come
> > to our national day of Thanksgiving and then with expectancy and faith as
> > we enter the Season of Advent.
> >
> > P.S. Clergy, please share this with members of your congregations who may
> > not have received this email. You can do so in whatever way you see fit
> to
> > assure all in our diocese are updated.
> >
> > I am filled with hope,
> >
> > +Bishop Marty
> >
>