Neil's Health

Dear Friends and Family, I am pleased to let you know that my chemo-treatment continues to be working after all this weeks and months. I am currently on the 7th cycle on this particular "Clinical Trial Drug Treatment Study" and though the doctors cannot definitely say or determine at this time how much longer I still need to have treatments, I will continue to have weekly treatments until they feel I have reach certain marker. Although the overall results were positive, there were a couple of lesions that slightly increase in very small size (1 mm each)- the analysis indicated that the slight increase may not be a progression of tumor but something more technical yet suggest we continue to monitor it in the next couple of test. My doctor tried to explain the reason for the increase and was not concerned at all. The oncologist was very positive and encouraged about the overall positive progress saying that he has never seen this type of positive progress before in any of his case. He mentioned that I am very lucky to be part of this particular clinical study that is showing significant decrease positive results. When he reviewed the latest CT Scans he thought he got the wrong slides and had to double check it again too make sure it was indeed my scans because he did not see any recognizable lesions from previous scans. He added that some of the lesions were not visually visible with the eye and some are no longer measurable. So overall, the majority of lesions are stable and is not growing or spreading. God is really good to have us where we are in USC Medical Cancer Treatment Center. The doctors and nurses are believers and they just know what to say. In fact the first thing that my doctor said was to light a candle in the church to offer thanks (referring to his Catholic tradition when something good happens or blessing comes to light a candle to Jesus as a way of thanksgiving). We were laughing because although we were not Catholics I guess it something that we could do perhaps we told him (hahaha). Then we went on talking about being Protestants but yet we were all Christians. Our clinical trial nurse too is a very strong and solid Christian always encouraging to be positive and to keep praying because she really believes that prayer is what is making the drugs work. I want to again thank you all again for being an encouragement to myself and my Ohana. It's feels quite a long time being in treatment after all this months but God has been my strength throughout days and months. With your prayers, I am always encouraged and grateful for your faith in the Lord in the miracle and power He will provide through for his GLORY. My next test and result will come again in two (2) months (I know- it's a long time to wait but it's all good). In the meantime, please continue to pray for comfort and strength physically, emotionally and spiritually. More specifically I covet your prayers in the following: *comfort with the numbness in my toes and fingers (can't even open simple packages or botton-up my botton-collar) *pray for the infection in my fingers nails to heal- it can be very sensitive at times ( I like to wash the dishes sometimes jus to feel the warmth and clean the fingers) *pray that the effectiveness and potency of the medications continues to be the same (the doctors have decrease the dosage of two medications due to the high toxicity resulting in the nail infection) *pray for the strength in time of fatigue so I am able to continue to be part of the corps ministry. *prayer of PRAISE for my Kids- they are handling it all so well. I am so proud of them and just to see them sing, dance and play in the band this weekend made me CRY out of joy and gratefulness of how God is bringing them through it all the challenges and differences in our lifestyles. *pray for Rubina for continued strength as a wonderful care-taker and mom at the same time and a Pastor also. *pray for our corps and the awesome leaders and pastoral team. I cannot really express in words how much I am so blessed to have you all in my life and know that you are with me through this journey discovering and experiencing God's love and grace. Thank you for all your support. May God richly bless you and your family. In God's Service, Captain Neil N.