Spiritual Formation Catalyst
Working to help people respond to the Spirit's call in the midst
of their everyday lives so that they may experience what Jesus describes as,
"life to the full."
Caregiving responsibilities can lead to feeling like a weak link when I cannot get everything done.
Nancy’s latest caregiver journal.
As a caregiver, there are times when I cannot keep up with all my responsibilities, especially the volunteer duties I have on top of caring for my family.
Giving myself grace and asking others for help becomes necessary.
One of the scariest realities of someone facing a cancer diagnosis is choosing the correct cancer treatment plan. Feelings of anxiety and stress are normal as you decide what path is right for you.
In this post I wrote for my friends at Hope Has Arrived, I outline seven steps you can take to find hope, peace, and even joy while discerning what treatment plan is right for you or your loved one.
On today’s podcast, Dan turns hosting and interview duties over to his good friend Ronny Russell. Ronny takes the opportunity to interview Dan, asking questions about his cancer diagnosis and the seven-year cancer journey.
Ronny’s insightful questions and Dan’s openness provide a glimpse of how one person has learned to “live with cancer.”
To read more of Dan’s story, The Journey Continues.
For deeper lessons learned along the journey, Caring Conversations.
Ronny’s first episode: Retirement vs Refirement
I find myself in an unusual place. Sitting in front of a computer screen before dawn, my mind races with thoughts that will not let me rest. My spirit is wrestling with the idea of embracing the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of wellness. Looking at life through those three lenses, physical, emotional, and spiritual, may help us find healing and wholeness.
In the past, I have spoken much about learning to live with cancer. The fight language adopted by much of our culture does not sit well with me. It could be I take it all too personally. Yet that is my reality. Let me explain.
A few months ago, it felt like my time here on this earth was ending. I lost eighty pounds in a very short period. When my oncologist spoke, I saw a nervousness and sense of urgency that I had not seen since my diagnosis in 2016.
Joseph and Rayann were both home for Christmas and New Year’s. I did little more than sit in my chair and sleep their visits away. To conserve my energy, we would plan one outing every few days. Even that was exhausting.
I found myself unable, unwilling, or even scared to commit or plan for events more than a few weeks into the future. Every day, I felt weaker. Projects got prioritized, and I found myself taking care of things so Nancy would be comfortable living in our home alone. In many ways, it felt as if cancer was finally winning. A part of me raged against being labeled a loser. I despise that language.
We added another liver doctor to my team. He declared me “over-hydrated” and has me on water pills. Thanks to the pills, I lost another twenty pounds and am closer to getting my daily ten-thousand steps in. If you “lose me,” check the nearest bathroom.
My oncologist had me meet with the physician’s assistant this past week. This does NOT happen when he is imminently concerned about my well-being. When all my appointments start being scheduled with my oncologist, I know he is concerned.
Nancy and I have not felt comfortable scheduling vacations for a few years. Between caring for Mom and Dad, Nancy’s job, and my myriad doctor appointments, we have stayed close to home. Last week, we planned three trips between now and July. Looking to the near future seems like something we can do. At Christmas, I was unable to think past any given day. Something has shifted. [Read more…]
Harold Naylor from Good Neighbors Home Repair joins Nick and Dan. Good Neighbors believes “everyone should have a safe place to live.” They build partnerships within the community to provide critical home repairs for those in need. “From fixing a leaking roof to broken windows or a worn-out furnace, our vision is for all people in our communities to live in a warm, safe, dry and healthy home.”
Daniel has been a seeker his entire life, seeking a deeper relationship with Abba Father. He has served as pastor for American Baptist churches in New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. His passion is to "help people encounter God in the midst of their everyday lives." He writes with a transparency intended to allow others to see the struggles that lead to healing and life. Daniel currently serves as Spiritual Formation Catalyst for A Place in the Conversation.
Daniel's journey was disrupted when the doctor said, "You have stage IV colon cancer." Questions of "Why" and "If only" crowded his mind. Can one encounter God in the midst of a cancer journey? Join this seeker as he shares the pain and joys of this journey not of his choosing. Daniel's wife, Nancy, joins in sharing some of her thoughts, and feelings as she watches her husband fight his battle.