BACK AGAIN!

 It's been some time since my last post.  It is still difficult for me to type due to the effect on my fingers due to chemotherapy.  I will try to bring you up to date on my condition.  In late March I underwent 8 hour of surgery.  My surgeon removed 10 pounds of cancer from abdomen and from the surface of my organs.  She also discovered that my cancer originated in my appendix.  She removed my appendix and my spleen.  I spent 5 days in the ICU and a total of 2 weeks in the hospital.  A couple of weeks ago I spent 4 days in the hospital due to running a high fever.  They found the source of my fever and now I am doing much better.

Although I am far from being cured, I am in much better shape than I was before my surgery.  The plan is now to go to Wake Forest for a major surgery in the next couple of months.  The surgery can last up to 14 hours.  A team of surgeons will go in and remove any cancer they can find.  They will then insert hot chemo in my abdomen for 90 minutes.  The goal is to kill any small cell cancers that might remain.  I close by saying that I appreciate your prayers and encouragement.  I can say that in spite of the storm in the life of my family and myself--GOD IS STILL GOOD!

Luke

Surgery on Wednesday

I am sorry it's been a while since I posted anything.  The chemotherapy causes numbness in my hands and feet and it is hard to type.   I will try to bring you up to date.  I will be having surgery on Wed.  The doctor will try to remove as much cancer as she can.   The surgery will take about 8 hours and she described it as dangerous.  I will spend a few days in ICU and then spend about 2 weeks in the hospital. I  love and appreciate each of you and am thankful for your prayers.

Luke

Busy Week

    The last few days have been very busy for me.  On Friday I went for blood tests.  Yesterday I had a Cat Scan and chest x-ray.  On Friday I will go to the Doctor to find out the results of all the tests.  My prayer is that the test come back okay.  The doctor has changed me from having chem.   Instead of having chemotherapy every two weeks, he has changed me to every three weeks.  The extra week between chemotherapy has been an answer to my prayers.  I am able to bounce back a lot better.  It is nice knowing that there is an extra week of rest before taking chemo.  The chemotherapy makes me pretty sick.  I can handle the pain of the cancer, but the sickness because of chemotherapy is pretty tough. 
   On another note, we had such a wonderful service on Sunday morning.   I enjoy all the services at Batley, but Sunday was special.  I was reminded that God is still on the throne and that He can and will help us to deal with difficult days.  I appreciate your prayers.  I have such wonderful friends that have lifted me up your prayers. 

Luke Kidwell

Life Is Good

    One of the great truths I've discovered in my journey with cancer is that life is good.  We take for granted the precious gift of life that our gracious Lord has given us--that is until that gift is in danger of being taken away.  I admit that I never appreciated the gift of life as much as I appreciate it now.  Each day is a bonus to me and to my family.  I don't know now many days I will be unwrap this wonderful gift of life, but I want to be thankful for each and every day and use that day for my good and God's glory.
    One of that things that irritates me now more than ever before are folks that gripe and complain about every trivial thing that happens to them.  These kind of folks are those that the Bible warns about who "sow discord among the brethren." I am already dealing with a cancer that eats away at my flesh--I don't want to deal with the cancer of criticism that eats away at my joy.  I have made it my goal in life to stay away from joy robbers as much as possible.  I want to be around folks that lift up my spirits and when I'm around them I feel better about them and I feel better about myself.  I want to remind you--and me--that "the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Luke

Back Again

    It has been awhile since I posted anything.  During the weeks when I am taking chemotherap, I am not able to do much of anything.  During the good days, I've been trying to catch up on some things I've let get behind.  I am doing pretty good.  The last time my blood was checked, the c-19 count was down to 167.  The average is 20.  The first time it was checked it was 2700.  The next time it was 1350.  The last time it was 167.  I praise God that it has been going in the right direction.  On another note, I was unable to take chemotherapy this week because my blood platlets (don't know about my spelling) was down.  In all honesty, I was glad to get another week off from chemotherapy. 
   On another note, I want to thank God for the strength He has given me.  Wednesday night I was able to preach.  Even before I preached, the altar was filled with folks who had needs that brought them to the altar.  Lisa Seeber was singing when she was overwhelmed with the need to talk to the Lord.  She quit singing and came on the altar to talk to the Lord.  Many other folks followed her.  There was such a sweet time of the Holy Spirit making His presence known.  Each time I preach, I have been made aware that I have one that is giving me the strength to stand.  I don't know what the journey ahead holds, but I know that I have a traveling companion that will be with me each step of the way.  Again, I want to tell each of you that I love you and appreciate you for taking the time to lift up my name to the Father of all grace!

Luke

I'm Still Alive and Mostly Well.

    This is the first time I've posted in a couple of weeks.  Like everyone else, I've been busy at times and not feeling good at times.  I am on my second day of chemotherapy.  So far, I've felt pretty good.  Please remember me in your prayers because it is the third day of chemo that I start having problems.  On another note, Shonna ran into a lady that said she heard that I had resigned my church and was on Hospice.  I'm glad to report that I am still pastoring Batley and I am still able to preach on Sundays and Wednesdays.  In fact, I have enjoyed preaching lately more than I can ever remember.  I am probably have to give up trying to preach on the Wednesday of Chemo week.  I am glad that I have a church that is standing with me during this difficult time in my life.
    Last week I was able to have lunch with some great friends.  I met one day with Jerry Vittatoe and Mike Viles.  We had a wonderful time of fellowship.  On another day I met with met with a great friend Jim Troutt that I used to work with.  I've also been able to have Dinner and breakfast with some wonderful friends from the church.  On Saturday night Shonna and I were able to have Dinner with Chris and Bobbie Wyatt and my son Jeremy and his wife Tara (The mother of my grandson that is due in May).  I am so glad that God has blessed me with such wonderful friends.  I want to thank you for the phone calls and cards that has really lifted my spirits.  May God bless you during this Christmas Season. 
   P.S.  On another note, Batley will begin broadcasting on KRBB from 4-5 P.M on Sundays.  In Anderson County it is on channel 241.  We will be on 13 different counties.  I will let you know the channels in other counties as soon as I get the information.  We will no longer be broadcasting on channel 12 in Anderson County.  We had technical issues where the program would freeze.  We tried to work out the problem, but we were unable to get the problem resolved. 

Good Days Outweigh the Bad

Since this battle with cancer, I have to be honest and say that there are a lot of bad days.  There are days when I can't hardly function.  But in spite of the bad days, I also have to say there are more good days than bad.  Those good days when I am able to spend time with my wonderful Lord.  Those days when God gives me the strength to stand in the pulpit and share His word.  I had a wonderful day yesterday when I found out I was going to have a grandson.  Jeremy and Tara called and gave me the news it was going to be a boy while I was taking chemotherapy.  Speaking of Chemo, this is the week of my treatment.  But praise to God, the first couple of days haven't been that bad!  Usually I get really sick about the third day into treatments.  I don't know if the trend will continue this week, but I know that God is able to take a bad day and turn it into a good day because of His grace.  I will conclude by borrowing the words from one of my favorite songs..."Even in the valley He is good, Even in the valley He is faithful and true."

Luke