The Operational Art of warfare with cancer

Deanna has graciously allowed me to post again. I thought I would post a few thoughts on our decision to go woth integrative medicine.

When we listened to the bad news, there was no discusion as to the cause of the cancer, no education on its development, but rather just the bad news and a statement that we could extend life a few miserable months with poison and radiation. It was sort of like listening to someone respond to an OIF/OEF like problem with the old stand by, "Nuke 'em till they glow."

But by God's grace, later that evening, we got to listen to Bill speak about cancer. In terms of its roots, it causes, multiple systemic effects. Which led to Bill telling us about his cancer fighting strategy. I began to hear about multiple interlinked sytems, second and third order effects, critical capabilities, critical resources, and critical vulnerabilities. In short, this cancer fighter was using the language of targeting strategy, and it resonated with me deeply. It was like reading Warden and Strange on air strategy. When Bill went on to speak about strengthening the healthy body systems instead of destrotying them with chemotherapy and radiation, while simultaneously attacking the cancer with supplements that in some cases have a thousand-year proven track record--this language resonated with me as well. It's the language of a Special Operations strategist, using un-conventional methods to perform Foreign Internal Defense and Counter-Insurgency operations.

It's a beautiful, well developed campaign plan. Inspired by God I think. At the end of this, I just hope we can figure out how to get every service member who has cancer access to this care. I've been blessed to receive it by a series of consecutive miracles...but how many others are out there who, like I almost did, would just dutifully follow through to the prescribed end-state?

Enough deep thoughts. Today Deanna set up my stuff and then she and Elizabeth got to go to the Mote aquarium, which they tell me was delightfull. They had baby sea turtles, among other things. I managed to get through my rounds of medications and evn balance the checkbook.

I've been overly tired the last few days though, and probably not eating enough. The meds often make me sick, and by the time it starts to wear off, it's usually time to start the next round.

I've been very touched by the outpouring of support from the B-1 community the last few days. To be remembered by so many is humbling. Be safe out there!

Please keep the prayers coming in. Specifically, that I could rest better at night-have some aches and pains that are waking me up. And that I would be able to eat a little more. And that I would have Operational Patience. This is indeed a long COIN/FID campaign, not a short strategic bombing campaign, and it's already trying my patience.

I pray that Jeshua would bless each of you as only he can.

Love in Christ,
-Mike