Well, the big surgery is over, I am home and sleeping in my own bed. The surgery was to take almost 8 hours, it took four, I was suposted to be in the hospital for 10 days, we left on the 7th day. I am very weak, moving gently and carefully, so thankful it is over and the recovery can now begin. This has been the biggest 'bump in the road' in my life. There were times after the surgery that I felt so much pain, I cried out in angony. I didn't thing pain could go that far and wide. But, being home, I pray much more when the pain comes and God does help me in His grace.
At the risk of being a broken repetitive old record, I have to say: Thank you for loving us and sharing that love with us. We try to mail thank you notes to all who give and we are behind. Because Al is not speaking, our income dropped greatly. Many have come to the bat to help us. Often, we never know from whom and where, or how they heard about us. We are just thankful. I'm thinking about resuming our schedule in November, please pray I will be strong enough by then. Some churches where we were susposted to minister gave us a love offerring even though we couldn't come to speak - such an expression of God'd Love! We are praying for you and trusting you are walking in His love. Mail us you prayer requests, praying in the midst of a trial can be very powerful (1 Thess. 5:24)
God has been giving us fresh dreams and visions about the future, about this ministry and our calling. Things will change. More power is coming, He has changed us and that means bigger and better things are soon to be revealed. You are part of that change....
Much, much, much Love to You,
AL & SHERRY THOMAS
http://www.celebratinghislife.com/
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Recoverying Well
Christ is the Wonderful God!
This is Justin Thomas, Al's son.
Thanks for all your prayers and caring words over the last few days. They are spiritual words that do make a difference in my dad's life.
The surgery had no 'complications', as Dr. Yang said, the chief surgeon who led the four hour surgery at Johns Hopkins.
He is recovering in ICU for another day and then will be transferred to general care. He is still in considerable pain, as anyone would be after having extensive surgery, but medically he is doing quite well.
Amazingly, twelve hours after the surgery, they got him up to walk around the ICU for one lap...a considerable task, I think. The Nurse Practitioner said it was the fastest lap she has ever seen. I guess he was looking forward to getting back into bed. lol. He is not allowed any fluids for another day as his esophagus needs to have rest from any drink or food. After two days he will begin to drink small amounts of water, and slowly build up to solid foods over time.
Thank you again for your friendship and partnership with him, helping him continue to walk forward through this challenge. He is stronger because of you.
I will update you soon as events unfold.
Justin (Al's son)
This is Justin Thomas, Al's son.
Thanks for all your prayers and caring words over the last few days. They are spiritual words that do make a difference in my dad's life.
The surgery had no 'complications', as Dr. Yang said, the chief surgeon who led the four hour surgery at Johns Hopkins.
He is recovering in ICU for another day and then will be transferred to general care. He is still in considerable pain, as anyone would be after having extensive surgery, but medically he is doing quite well.
Amazingly, twelve hours after the surgery, they got him up to walk around the ICU for one lap...a considerable task, I think. The Nurse Practitioner said it was the fastest lap she has ever seen. I guess he was looking forward to getting back into bed. lol. He is not allowed any fluids for another day as his esophagus needs to have rest from any drink or food. After two days he will begin to drink small amounts of water, and slowly build up to solid foods over time.
Thank you again for your friendship and partnership with him, helping him continue to walk forward through this challenge. He is stronger because of you.
I will update you soon as events unfold.
Justin (Al's son)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Last Post Before Operation
Dear Family:
Today Sherry and I travel to Johns Hopkins, we will be put up tonight right across the street from the hospital, then report @ 10 AM for the 12 PM operation.
Please pray. I am glad the time has finally arrived so we can get it over with. Thank you for all of your encouragement, card etc. during the last five months. Sherry is a bit nervous and I'd be dishonest if I said I wasn't. Yet, I am trusting the Lord. I will come through this and then move on with my life and ministry.
Our son, Pastor Justin Thomas will update this blog shortly after the operation to let you know how it went.
Please pray for our continued provision since neither Sherry or I have preached (worked) in the last 4 1/2 months and will not until perhaps December. With the Lord's help I will heal quickly and be back soon than that. A friend (Mike) has encouraged me (he had the same operation) and said they start feeding you the 2nd day. This was very encouraging.
The moment I get home and start feeling better and stronger, I will pick up my schedule again and contact all the churches that had to be postponed. God has promised me a greater anointing when we return along with a fresh compassion for the sick and lost. "Fresh talents will be revealed..." (Matthew 25: 1-23) Use you talents today, do not waste what God has given you. whether it be gifts of the Spirit, encouragement, giving, administration etc. Tell your family you love them every day, don't miss one moment of enjoying family, friends, life and your relationship with God. Our time here is limited and no one know when it will end. Don't waste time, it is one of the most precious gifts God has given us.
I can't wait to visit many of you again on the road.
Thanks for you prayers and support.
Mega Love and Blessings to you and your family,
AL & SHERRY 1 Thess 5:24
Today Sherry and I travel to Johns Hopkins, we will be put up tonight right across the street from the hospital, then report @ 10 AM for the 12 PM operation.
Please pray. I am glad the time has finally arrived so we can get it over with. Thank you for all of your encouragement, card etc. during the last five months. Sherry is a bit nervous and I'd be dishonest if I said I wasn't. Yet, I am trusting the Lord. I will come through this and then move on with my life and ministry.
Our son, Pastor Justin Thomas will update this blog shortly after the operation to let you know how it went.
Please pray for our continued provision since neither Sherry or I have preached (worked) in the last 4 1/2 months and will not until perhaps December. With the Lord's help I will heal quickly and be back soon than that. A friend (Mike) has encouraged me (he had the same operation) and said they start feeding you the 2nd day. This was very encouraging.
The moment I get home and start feeling better and stronger, I will pick up my schedule again and contact all the churches that had to be postponed. God has promised me a greater anointing when we return along with a fresh compassion for the sick and lost. "Fresh talents will be revealed..." (Matthew 25: 1-23) Use you talents today, do not waste what God has given you. whether it be gifts of the Spirit, encouragement, giving, administration etc. Tell your family you love them every day, don't miss one moment of enjoying family, friends, life and your relationship with God. Our time here is limited and no one know when it will end. Don't waste time, it is one of the most precious gifts God has given us.
I can't wait to visit many of you again on the road.
Thanks for you prayers and support.
Mega Love and Blessings to you and your family,
AL & SHERRY 1 Thess 5:24
Friday, September 4, 2009
Two Weeks to Operation
Howdy:
Last week we visited Johns Hopkins to see the surgeon who will do the operation on Sept. 17th. He explained the risks, possible complications, (1-2% death; 60% all will turn out well, 10 % leakage inside; etc. etc.). Then I signed that I understand the latter. Actually, we were put at ease with his calm demeaner and he assured us all will go well...
Then I had a pre-operation exam, quite detailed, quite long and boring. I have to confess I am so tired of waiting for this journey to end. I have gone before the Lord asking that the process be excellerated, but we are two weeks to the operation, almost there. My feeding tube, which I donot use (but will, after the operation) has fallen out twice in two days and it looks like I going to to the emergency room in little bit to get that corrected. I've always wanted to wait in emergency rooms, please forgive me for complaining.
Pain is my companion. I take 7-8 pills a day (down from 14) at breakfast. Some for the stomach, the tumor, the esophagas, the throat, and for other things. The Doctors tell me that for the type of cancer I have, the size of the tumor and the stage it was in, I am doing very well. Yes, I get very tired and occassionally sick (from the chemo and radiation), yet they say I should be in quite bad shape.
I mistakenly was taking a steriod when I wasn't supposed to and just stopped that. It was only supposed to be taken during radiation, so once weaned off of it I got very sick.
The good news is this will end soon and I will be back ministering and on the road again.
Thank you for helping Sherry and I with your prayers and support at this time.
MUCH love,
AL & SHERRY
Last week we visited Johns Hopkins to see the surgeon who will do the operation on Sept. 17th. He explained the risks, possible complications, (1-2% death; 60% all will turn out well, 10 % leakage inside; etc. etc.). Then I signed that I understand the latter. Actually, we were put at ease with his calm demeaner and he assured us all will go well...
Then I had a pre-operation exam, quite detailed, quite long and boring. I have to confess I am so tired of waiting for this journey to end. I have gone before the Lord asking that the process be excellerated, but we are two weeks to the operation, almost there. My feeding tube, which I donot use (but will, after the operation) has fallen out twice in two days and it looks like I going to to the emergency room in little bit to get that corrected. I've always wanted to wait in emergency rooms, please forgive me for complaining.
Pain is my companion. I take 7-8 pills a day (down from 14) at breakfast. Some for the stomach, the tumor, the esophagas, the throat, and for other things. The Doctors tell me that for the type of cancer I have, the size of the tumor and the stage it was in, I am doing very well. Yes, I get very tired and occassionally sick (from the chemo and radiation), yet they say I should be in quite bad shape.
I mistakenly was taking a steriod when I wasn't supposed to and just stopped that. It was only supposed to be taken during radiation, so once weaned off of it I got very sick.
The good news is this will end soon and I will be back ministering and on the road again.
Thank you for helping Sherry and I with your prayers and support at this time.
MUCH love,
AL & SHERRY
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