Pastor Dewey Note: We continue to pray over our dear friend David Maddox. His testimony his very powerful. Please join the FGGAM family and pray healing over David, in Jesus name, Amen. I thank David from the bottom of my heart for sharing his journey with us. I pray His Godly courage is caught by us all.
My Journey with Cancer, Part 6 by David Maddox
MONDAY UPDATE
The week after chemo did not go as expected based on history. I found myself getting tired easily and not have the appetite I had come to expect. As this week began we were experiencing multiple discipleship opportunities which is why I did not have the opportunity to send out an update on Monday, but I have found since that they update would not have been accurate so I am glad to send it out on Wednesday. Beginning Tuesday morning was the first all-out assault on me medically. I have some type of infection which resulted in 101.4 temperature, chills, and my blood pressure went down to 82 over 50 something – the lowest I am aware of which explains my fatigue. Also this was accompanied by some (thank God only some) diarrhea plus throwing up everything I tried to eat. We called our cancer doctor’s office and were told to come over immediately which we did. They took blood samples and are culturing among other tests to see exactly what is going on. They gave us some powerful antibiotics and said that as soon as they had the tests back which will be tomorrow they will decide whether this can be treated by pills or we need to go to the hospital. In the meantime we are going in daily for infusion of more fluids. I feel just as you might expect, but understand who is in charge and continue to believe that there is a positive purpose in all of this. I would ask for your prayers that this attack be resolved quickly. The third week is supposed to be a week we can travel and serve without restrictions and not – at least as I understood it – to be a week to be really sick and perhaps end up in the hospital. Whatever – we will just seek to glorify God and look for the opportunity to share His love with others.
Spiritually God continues to pour out His wisdom and blessings. We have had numerous opportunities to disciple people who come to us either from our small group or others we have had contact with over the years. It is such a blessing when you know that God has spoken through you to bless and encourage another. So important that we (all Believers) be available to be disciple makers – that after all was the command (Matthew 28:18-20). However one thing is really important if you are truly committed – you must not only schedule regular time together – you must be available any time. All of our discipleship opportunities were initiated by others – we only made ourselves available – and that must be true no matter what your schedule or how you may feel.
The verse God really impressed on my mind and heart this week looks almost like it was written for me – as I know it was although written initially to Timothy. God’s word is alive and the Holy Spirit takes it and makes it apply today even as it did when written for the Bible was written to speak to all ages. It is 2 Timothy 4:5 – “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” So there it is affirming what the Lord has been saying to me all along in this journey – be sober-minded for we live in a serious time (perhaps the Last Days); endure suffering (physically, emotionally, etc.); do the work of an evangelist (which Biblical is to teach others to share the Gospel while sharing the Gospel yourself); and fulfill your ministry (suffering does not deter God’s purposes in our lives).
I will try and post on Facebook updates as we walk through this attack, but I may not be able to post every day or be where I can post – and those of you who send me messages or emails or are here and want to see us we may not be able to respond quickly. Don’t let that concern you – I remain in God’s hands riding on your prayers.
THURSDAY UPDATE:
God heard and answered your prayers. Miraculously my blood pressure is up – my fever is gone – most of the other unpleasant side effects are minimized – I will NOT be going to the hospital – and we rescheduled chem back a week to give me more time to get my strength back and be healed of the infection. Praise the Lord. Still very fatigued and have difficulty with food, but God turned it around and we are on the road to a reasonable recovery. Thank you – please continue to pray. God is good.
Past updates from David: My Journey With Cancer
About David Maddox – After a legal career in both Texas and Arizona that spanned over 40 years as a civil litigator, God called David to leave his law practice and work full time as Discipleship Director for Time to Revive. That call is really the fruit of decades of prayer for revival and teaching God’s Word, writing discipleship materials and seeking to make disciples. David married Janet Whitehead in 1976 and they minister together from their Phoenix home. God has blessed them with four children and thus far seven grandchildren.
