Hallelujah!!!

Readers,

Some of you who have followed this blog site for the last few months, will kindly forgive my changing the promised title of today's entry. I had planned to use "Friends Are Friends."

I have astounding news to share with you! Our pal, Captain Les Switzer arrived home today, around lunchtime, discharged from Duke University Hospital, this morning. He and Karen are glad to be home, following July 15th's successful surgery for esophageal cancer.

The very best news, however, is that all the pathology reports indicate he is 100% free of any cancer!

A mutual friend remarked recently, that just a few years ago, such a diagnosis would have resulted in the death of our brother. Look how far the craft of medicine has come, in our lifetime, saving lives with routine success. When the time is right, Les will tell you all about his journey, to the brink of death, and back.

But, let's take a moment to acknowledge a very salient fact; prayers are answered. I don't care what you say, prayer is not only free, but also fruitful. Ask Les; he'll tell you that he actually felt people praying for him and his situation. He's told me several times in the last few weeks that those prayers, many no doubt from people whom he does not even know, are not only evident, but truly palpable.

Draw your own conclusions. I'm not here to debate theology. I'm here to lift up praise to God, who guides and directs all healing, and to Him who has spared us our brother.

Last night, Les took solid food for the first time in over two months. No leaks in his new stomach. No more nausea, which had for so long tortured his system. No more hospital room. No more wondering about the outcome, and oh, did I mention, no more cancer?

Now, here is the important thing, as I see it; never once, from the time he was diagnosed, until the present, have I heard Les ask, "Why me?" The Word of God says that we "shall be known by our stripes." Les has some stripes. I'll bet you can see where I'm going with this, as I ask you if you've heard of another who possessed the same.

The last time I wrote, I said you were invited to dance. Now there is even more reason for you to lace up those shoes. You might even feel like putting on your tux. The opening number is a waltz, because your partner is still pretty sore from his surgery, but stay on the floor long enough, and you're likely to be swept off your feet, at a fast gallop, with a schottish or a reel. He feels like partying, and he'll probably tell you, that life is a gift; one that is neither promised nor earned.

There is a Christian musician I still listen to, who probably says it best, even though he was called home in 1997. In one of his first songs, on his very first album, Rich Mullins exhorted us to "Live like you'll die tomorrow. Die knowing you'll live forever. Live right." Les could have written those same lyrics.

Have you placed your life in perspective, considering the here and the hereafter? Les has, and he's glad to have you as his friends, in this journey called life.

Until next time,
Colonel Greg Gallion

"Earl" meets his Waterloo

Captain Les Switzer has emerged victorious from his cancer surgery, and his opponent, which he ruefully named "Earl" is no more. The prayers of countless friends and comrades, have once again prevailed over the scourge of this ravaging illness. Les' surgery was yesterday, at Duke University Hospital, and was variously predicted to be somewhere between six and ten hours. In reality, the whole procedure took just over three hours, thankfully sparing Les from a more gruelling operation. His physicians, guided by the hands of God, were able to excise all of the cancer from his esophagus, and his prognosis for continuing his normal life, is very promising.

Les is not out of the woods yet, but he came out of surgery yesterday, feeling as good as a man could, having gone through such a procedure. Karen is breathing a little easier today also, with most of this crisis having passed. She has been a rock for Les and their family during all of this. Both of them have asked me to please convey to all of you, their profound thanks for your prayers, calls, gifts and well-wishes. They realize where this outcome came from; you and your faith have invoked the presence of God and the Holy Spirit, in every phase of this ordeal.

I'll leave the details to Les, to tell you as he sees fit, when he can rejoin us around the campfire. That is his goal, to be with us at least one day, at Cedar Creek. But for now, please take a moment to write him a letter or card, to join in the joyous outcome he has been given. He will be in recovery for about seven-to-ten days, at Duke University Hospital. If all goes as planned, he will hope to go home around July 25. In any event, the hospital will forward his mail to his home address, once he returns.

Captain Les Switzer
C/O Duke University Hospital
Room 3116
2301 Erwin Road
Durham, North Carolina 27710

Just before leaving them last evening, to return home, they both were so conscious of the fragility of life and the reality that none of us are promised tomorrow. Even in their most tenuous hour, they preach to you and me, the gratitude we should all have for this precious gift of life, friends and family.

The Word of God teaches us that there is a time for mourning and a time for dancing. I'd like to invite you to put on your dancing shoes, and take a turn around the dance floor with Les and Karen. They're both waiting for you, and the music never sounded so good!

Respectfully,
Colonel Greg Gallion

Next time: "A Friend is a Friend"