“What now?!!?”

8/16/2026

Update – My tumor was removed on 7/15/2026. It was high grade cancer – quite aggressive. Updated scans were done last Tuesday and thank the Lord – the cancer has remained stable!! All surrounding organs are clear and no evidence it has progressed beyond the bladder muscle. I began treatment with Padcev and Keytruda immunotherapy on Thursday and have had limited side effects. I pray the treatment will be successful and that any side effects will remain minimal.

Why do I look at the waves instead of Jesus?

I am not under any illusion that the Lord owes me anything, that the positive outcome I desire is a sure thing, but I have hope! He has provided that in abundance. Each day that goes by, I am feeling better. There are times of discomfort in the bladder area, but it truly seems to be improving. I am dealing with some fatigue. I don’t know if it’s from the cancer or just the stress of everything I am suddenly forced to deal with. It has gotten a little worse in the days since the treatment began, but that is to be expected.

Today (Saturday 8/15) I was busy all day, even mowed and trimmed the lawn. Although I did have a few moments of pretty significant fatigue shortly after lunch, I kept going and surprisingly I didn’t really think about it. I have to say that today I felt as close to my old self as I have for the last month. As I sit here doing this update I feel the accumulated weariness that comes from a busy day – not the weariness that accompanies stress! Again – Praise the Lord!

I will be having treatments once per week – two weeks in a row then one week off then the cycle repeats from now right into November when I return to Tampa and the surgeon. No one is particularly optimistic that there is much chance I can keep the bladder short of a miracle, but I serve the God of Hope and Miracles! Maybe….

Whatever the outcome in November, I’m told I will be on a maintenance program for about another year providing my body is responding well to the cancer med and the immunotherapy drug. All of my doctors seem to believe this immunotherapy treatment is a major game changer in bladder cancer treatment. My urologist just yesterday told me to forget all the statistics I’ve read – he calls this a “miracle drug.”

Miracle drug or not – My Lord will work out His plan. If I’m to receive a positive outcome, it will be because He ordained it. I pray that will be the case, but if it’s something short of that, He knows best. In that I must rest. Sounds really pious, but in truth I have no other option! Talk to you again soon!

7/9/2026

The last six weeks have brought about many changes. I have been diagnosed with a bladder tumor. I am scheduled to have it removed on Wednesday 7/15. It is most likely cancerous. The tumor will be biopsied and I am scheduled for a post op consult on Monday July 27th. The severity of the “invasion” will be determined and a course of treatment discussed at that point. Meanwhile, I wait. I guess that’s the hardest part. The waiting. The not knowing.

I was diagnosed on the very day we were scheduled to leave for Ohio and the family forth of July festivities. As there is some urgency to get the tumor out in order to avoid any damage to kidneys, we were not able to take our trip. Initially it was a tremendous shock, however I am coming to grips with the fact that God knew all of this before it ever came to pass. I have enough experience trusting in Divine Providence that I am comforted that He will be with me come what may. I have of course looked at as much information about bladder cancer as I can deal with right now. I am facing each day with the knowledge that God cares.

I have kept myself quite busy remodeling our bedroom while I wait. It helps a great deal to have a goal. To have purpose rather than just sit around and speculate. If you happen to read this – Please say a prayer for me. Not necessarily just for healing, but for Peace that Passes all understanding as I embark on this new adventure. Thank you and God Bless!

5/28/2026

Sadly we had to have the old Holly Tree in the front yard taken out. It was in bad shape and there were more dead branches on it than live ones. Particularly sad because there was a mocking bird that had lived in it since we moved here. Many mornings it would be out there just singing away. Hopefully it found a suitable home nearby! We replaced it with a couple foxtail palm trees. Hopefully they grow as fast as the one in front of the deck.

5/28/2026
Took a short camping excursion a couple weeks back just to check the camper before our travels. This little fellow showed up a couple mornings checking out our campsite. Fortunately he / she didn’t bring along the folks!

5/2/2026 Brian’s latest folly! 1998 Ingersoll Tractor. I hardly need it to cut the lawn, but it was too cool to pass up! Reminds me of the Kubota I sold – oh so many years ago! One happy little grandson sitting on it!