We have now visited with the surgical teams tht will be involved in our upcoming surgery, and have conducted and been through all of the CT scans and MRI tests. It has been a whirlwind of activity and I have to tell you, when you are feeling the tumor's effect on you, and feeling the side effects of the pain meds and other meds they have you on it is not an easy thing to go through.
But, we have done so and today we got the word back from Dr. Rhines.
No new cancer at this point! And the cancer that is there in my sacrum and the small spots in the illieum has not grown appreciably, certainly no more than they would expect.
This is good news from our perspective and we are grateful that the Lord God, in His Mercy, established His will accordingly. it means that our surgery can go forward with the best prospect available for slowing, or potetnially even stopping the disease.
In the past two days I have signed away my concent for every way imagineable that my life might be ended or severelly effected by these procedures imaginable. The Drs., each of them have now explained in exquisite detail what they will be doing. Again, I say, it is a miracle in and of itself what they can attempt through modern medicine these days. Such truths as they have gathered, in my faith, comes from God. All truth iminates forth to mankind from God through His Holy Spirit for our benefit. These dedicated professionals, who are dedicated to serving, saving, and helping their fellowman (which in and of itself is God's work), have been richly blessed with a great measure of truth which they apply to the good of others. There is a special, christ-like spirit about it that radiates from their christ-like desire to help others and I thank God in Heaven for it.
As it is now, I have a sigmoidoscopy tomorrow morning. This will take several hours and will help determine the shape and functioning and postion of my rectum for the surgery. Saurudray and Sunday we have free, but then MOnday morning we are preadmitted and then screened for the proper anisthesia for the surgery. This will be another critical process to determine what anisthesia to give me so my body will react well to it. Given what all they intend, it is important that we do not have an adverse reaction.
Then, about 5:30 AM on Tuesday (April 27th) I will be admitted and my 1st surgery will occur around noon. It will be 6-8 hours and will position my veins and vascula componenets where they are least vulnerable, and most accessabe as needed for the second surgery. They will also take one set of my abs (one of my three packs) with all three muscles, its meat and tissue and set them aside with their own natural blood-supply to be used later in the 2nd operation to fill the gap left by the removed sacrum. Dr. Rhines and Dr. Garvey (the plastic surgeon) has proven that this procedure significantly lessens infection, blood clots, and rejection. They will also take one of my thibia bones from a leg and prepare it to be structure that will back-up and fuse the metal they will put in during the 2nd surgery. That bone will need its own blood supply too, so they will strip a major vein from my ankly up to my thigh to be used for that purpose. Ultimately this will provide the needed structure...my own bone and tissue fed by my blood, to fuse and srengthen the titaniuam that otherwise, over a period of years, would come lose. Finally, they position cutting saws in precise place from the anterior so they can get at them in the 2nd surgery to make the cuts to the sacrum
Then, three days later (the 30th), they perfrom the second surgery from the posterior. After opening me up, they clear the area around the sacrum and then make the cuts...delicately working with whatever nerve roots and endings they can preserve. Once the cuts are made and the sacrum removed, they then fill the void with the flap created from my one set of abs, and then create the titanium/bone structure to rebuild the structural component to carry my wieght. This operation can take over 12 hours and if it looks to be going too long to the point of causing any fatigue with the team...then they would finish it in a 3rd surgery three days later.
So this is my path. I know it it the path the Lord has set me on...a path to bolster my faith and for me to witness His goodness in ALL things, that His WIll is best for me, for my family, for my friends...in short, His will is best for us all because it allows hearts to be touched and minds to be swayed, of their own free will, towards Him and to salvation in His Son Jesus Christ.
I hope to be able to write more before these surgeries...but if not, know I go in with my eyes wide open, and I do so praising my Father in Heaven and His Son. I know their paths lead to good. I know their paths lead to happiness and eternal joy and salvation in Jesus Christ.
"Trust in the Lord wih all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy way acknowledge Himand He will direct they paths. Be not wie in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." Proverbs 3: 5-8
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil 4:13
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3
"Come unto me all ye that labour and are are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 12:28-30
I testify to all...particularly to my own children and grand-children, that these things are true. They are the fundamental truths of the ages, the boon to individuals, pillars to families, and strength to nations...including the liberty of nations. Hold fast to them and be strong and be free...depart from them and fall into bondage, either personal or to tryants, it is the same.
Once again my eternal thanks and gratitude to all who have helped my family and myself as we have faced this difficulty. There are so many to name...and the crisis and its impact if far from over. In fact, in many ways, it is just now, at this date, finally getting started.
Just the same. it has been so humbling and at the same time so inspiring. We live in a good land, full of good people. The path has not been lost. Have faith in your fellow man, and in your fellow Americans! May God in Heaven bless you each for helping us, may He pour at the blessings ten fold on you and yours. I know He will...it is how He blesses His Children. I look forward to the day, not terribly distant in this life, if He so wills it, when I can again return to helping others in this same manner again, as I have been helped.
...and if not, then so be it. I will greet you in the clouds when I return with my Savior. For as surely as I breath, the great Redeemer, full of mercy, love, and charity will return to this earth one day and cleanse it of all hurt, heartache, misery and sin. I look forward to that day, whether I see Him come in the air, or whether I am there with Him.
I will write again as soon as I am able. Watch for updates from my dear, wonderful wife...the love of my life, Gail, or from others.
Sincerely, in humility, and in liberty and Christ,
Jeff Head
Dear Jeff,
I’m praying for you. I know it’s not much but it’s all I can do.
Bruce
We are praying for you.
Cancer not spreading is definately good news with the time that has passed. The Good LORD does work miracles in many ways even to the point of guiding skilled surgeons hands to give healing. It amazes me what they can do now. Still saying prayers for you and your family.
Dear Lord, guide the hand of the doctors, grant them special wisdom and insight as they care for our brother Jeff, and, if it is your will, restore him to health and allow him to inspire us as we struggle for Your land, the land which you have brought so many of your children to dwell in. Amen.
May God be with you and with your family.
Praying for you and your family Jeff.
Be strong, take one step at a time.
Your FRiend Tet68
I will be praying for you for the next month, that the Lord wil guide the doctors minds and hands and for healing, strength, and fortitude for you and your family.
JaJ
Jeff, I am praying for you and you are in good hands.
We’re all praying very hard Jeff! May God continue to bless you and yours.
Jeff, you are a man of incredible strengths, and I greatly admire your courage.
I pray for you daily.
.
Godspeed Jeff Head.
I get misty every time I read your updates. Jeff, I know you are a man of God and pray to our savior that he guide the surgeons hands and that you will come through this difficult surgery with flying colors. I know we have never met but I know we are brothers in Christ and pray for your full healing. You are a Man among men, and May God bless you and your Family through this difficult time.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Amen.
Be at Peace my Brother, God is in control.
Praying for your complete recovery, my friend...
Rest assured that prayers will continue for both you and Gail.
May God bless you and strengthen you and Gail during this time.
Jeff,
I’ve been watching your thread here and your incredible witness of our Lord Jesus. I went through a “minor” episode (compared to yours) with thyroid cancer and totally understand how being able to trust in God and His guidance are such a blessing.
You have my continued earnest prayers, as does your wife, the surgery team, and all who will be caring for you throughout this surgery. May God bless and strengthen you, and finally heal you, and continue to give the peace of mind and soul that only He can give.
In Christ’s love,
Ladysmith
Thank God there is no new cancer! And thank you for keeping us informed. Prayers continue...
We’re so thankful to learn that there is no new cancer!
Still praying daily for you, your family, your medical team, and your whole situation.
We will be particularly mindful of you in prayers specifically for your health and wellbeing and the success of the procedures you have mentioned. God bless.
Your unwavering faith has been a testimony to me.
May God bless you and your family as you go forward.