Dear R.M.B.C. prayer warriors,

I know many have been waiting for an update on the live donor situation, so I will do my best to give you a synopsis of the information that has recently come to me.  There are still many question marks, so I do not have all the answers yet.

As for potential donor number three, there were two tests performed last Friday.  The first test was passed without difficulty.  However, the second test, a CT Scan, showed something that has the doctors puzzled.  They do not know exactly what it is, and thus they feel it necessary to run more tests, for the sake of the donor.  They do not want to put the donor in any type of risk in the event of a transplant.

We do not know how long of a delay this new rabbit trail may take, or what the ultimate outcome will be.  There is another meeting of the transplant staff on Thursday of this week, at which time the donor's situation will be discussed at length.  At any rate, this could add another two to three more weeks on the process.

With that as a possibility, I received a call from the transplant coordinator yesterday, stating that Dr. Everson is very concerned about the length of time that this whole 'live' donor process has taken.  Given the additional risk factor of cancer in my bile ducts, with a possibility of it spreading to other parts of the body, he feels it is prudent to begin, as soon as possible, a protocol of radiation and chemotherapy.  Therefore, I have a consultation set up with an Oncologist at University H

To the R.M.B.C. prayer team,

I'm sorry that my update this morning got cut off in the middle.  Let me fill in the rest of the details:

As I started to report, I have an appointment with the Oncologist at University Hospital in Denver on August 10.  This will be my preliminary consultation with the doctor before starting chemo and radiation.  I know you all have a ton of questions about this new step (I have a page full of them), but I will have to wait until the 10th to get all of them answered.

I am assuming that this will be a six week protocol, although I don't know what they would do if donor number three is cleared while I am in the midst of the treatments, whether they would make me fulfill them all or go straight to transplant.  I do know that when the treatments are finished, I will be eligible to receive a liver from a live or deceased donor.

Every day I am reminded that God is in control and that His timing is perfect, although not what we would have chosen at the outset.  I simply ask that you pray for God's perfect will to be done, regardless of what that looks like.  Keep praying for Donna and the rest of the family, as this has been a roller-coaster ride for them all.

I will follow up as soon as possible with more information as it becomes available.  Thanks for the many prayers, cards, emails, and personal visits.  We love you all.

Yours, for God's glory,

Pastor Bruce