God bless you.
I've just finished the worst vacation of my life with my wife Joyce because I was in
almost constant back pain that kept me from standing or walking for more than a minute
at a time.
But thanks to Thursday's approval by my cardiologist, Dr. Allen Anderson of the
University of Chicago Medical Center, I have been cleared to go through with my
back surgery (a lumbar laminectomy) on Monday morning at the University of Chicago
Medical Center, where Dr. Frederick Brown with perform the operation.
Because of my high risk as an end-staged congestive heart failure patient, who is
also fighting prostate cancer, I had to get an OK from Dr. Allen. His examination of me
on Thursday yielded two pieces of good news:
1. Dr. Allen examined me and concluded that my heart is strong enough to undergo
the operation, which will be done under general anesthesia. But he suggests that I remain
a couple of days afterward so that the UCMC medical staff can make sure there are no
immediate cardiac complications, or any complications for that matter. Upon recovery,
the next move probably will be the implantation of a heart pump, most likely the
Heartmate 2.
2. My PSA, a barometer of prostate cancer, is now at a fantastic low of .83. We
discovered this from the blood test that Dr. Anderson ordered. All other vitals are
also good. But this is the first time I can ever remember having a PSA under 1.0. This
means my prostate cancer continues in remission and is progressively dissolving.
Thank you, Jesus!!!
Yes, with my brain tumor being healed and declared benign 15 months ago, my
prostate cancer is also being healed, but more slowly.
Now, to get my back straight so that I can stand, walk and exercise better
and strengthen my diseased heart. With so many things wrong with me medically, I just
wanted to get at least one more vacation out of the way before my next rounds of
surgeries because one never knows the exact outcome.
Anyway, who schedules a vacation to undergo surgery or to recover from sickness?
Thank God for a union and a labor contract that provides for workers to take sick leaves
and not be punished for being sick or for seeking and receiving treatment.
Still, the last place one wants to suffer pain is on a vacation with a loved one in a
beautiful setting. Joyce, my wife of 41 years, and I spent five days in resplendent
Vancouver, overlooking its panoramic harbor, and 11 days in sun-splashed Orlando. But I
was refined to either sitting or lying down most of the time.
When we went grocery shopping, I rode the electric wheel chair, which made me feel
ashamed as I rode while my darling wife walked. I didn't feel like a man even through
people flashed smiles of compassion at me, assuring me that they understood my
predicament.
So now it's on to my back surgery. I thank you for your continued prayers in
advance. But thank God, I not only have you praying for me, which is great. I have my
own prayer telephone in my bosom. And I am using it to pray for myself, too.
God bless you.
Dear Lacy -
First, thanks for the beautiful, thoughtful prayer you sent for me. I printed it and read it often. I'm eager to see the good that comes from it.
Now, who does Back Pain think he is messing with you? He must not read this blog. You've beat back Brain Tumors and Prostate Cancer and you have Congestive Heart Failure on the run. Back Pain better watch out, because you're going to get him next.
Your recovery continues to amaze. God will be holding your hand throughout this latest surgery and the recovery from it. Then it's on to getting the heart pump. Then you can really dance with joy!
Please keep us updated. God bless you.
BANKS' RESPONSE: In the name of Jesus, we have the victory. In the name
of Jesus, Satan will have to flee. In the name of Jesus, all things work together
for good for them that love God and are the called according to His purpose. In
the name of Jesus, we are more than conquerors. In the name of Jesus, we can
walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil because the Lord,
our shepherd, is with us and is comforting us with His rod and staff. In the name
of Jesus, we are a royal priesthood and a chosen generation. That is why you and I
need more faith that Jesus authors and finishes if we are to excel and prevail.
Thanks John for your prayers and I pray for your increasing faith in God. In the
meantime, in between time, blessed be the tide that binds our hearts in Christian
love. The fellowship of kindred minds and souls is like to that above."
Dear Rev. Banks,
I am sooooo happy to read your blog tonight. You've been in my mind and heart since the last one and I often wondered what was going on with you. I'm pleased to know that you and your wife were on vacation, taking a certainly needed break from focusing on your health issues and treatments. I had to smile at the part about the electic wheelchair because I had to use a wheelchair when I recently traveled to visit family. A fractured bone is NOTHING compared to what you're going through, but I can relate as I also felt ashamed, but I realized that it was yet another example of how the Lord teaches us about compassion and patience for others in situations similar to or worse than ours. I've also realized that as we pass one test, He allows another to come, likely more difficult because we need to be challenged as we go through the refining process, the end of which is that we will come forth as pure gold. I suspect that late in the midnight hour, you are often awake ruminating on your life and what is happening to you. You are not alone. After I've had my "pity party", the Holy Spirit comes to sooth me and remind me that God must think very highly of me because He's confident that I will come forth as pure gold, despite my human doubts. He thinks very highly of you also and you will also come forth as pure gold, I can already "see" the aura. May the Almighty Hand of God guide the hands and minds of the doctors, nurses, and technicians involved in your surgery and recovery. We claim complete healing in the name of Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. God bless you real good!
BANKS' RESPONSE: Well, sisters and brothers, here comes some more pure
gold. Seldom have I occasioned a mind reader so deep and deft as Marie. You
describe me nocturnal musings so well in detail. The same for your command of
sound Christian doctrine. So whatever our individual states, we are each asked to
be patient with one another, as that old gospel song urges, because God is not
through with either of us yet. But when He gets through refining, shaping and even
trying us in the furnace of affliction, we shall indeed some forth as pure gold. How
often have I said as much in sermon. And believing thus, I am moved to sing, with
slight editing, this praise with that musical gospel goddess Albertina Walker:
"Lord, keep me day by day
In a pure and perfect way
I want to live, I want to live, yes,
In a building not made by hand
Lord keep my body strong
So that I may do no wrong
Lord give me grace to run my race, yes,
To a building not made by hand
I'm just a stranger here
Traveling through this barren land
But Lord I know there, for me somewhere, yes,
Is my building not made by hand.
Just another hurdle in your race...you've got the best COACH and you recall everything HE has taught you, you've done your best to spread HIS WORD, and you've got fans galore praying for and witnessing your triumphs. I am already looking forward to a good report. Hope to see you guys soon. Stay in prayer.
BANKS' RESPONSE: Thanks, fellow teammate of faith and struggle. We run
the plays that our heavenly coach gives us and we do the best we can to execute
for His glory first and foremost, for a team team win second and for personal gain, if
any, last. Regardless, I know that we shall never execute those plays or run this
Christian race in vain.