Normandy - September 28, 2009

Flight to Normandy went well. 9-28-09

Tom and David had a good flight...had bulkhead seats to themselves. Tom slept, David didn't. They were met by Dan (who came by car) then Terry from London. Tom's pain was under control for the whole flight. Thank you so much for praying. We know the Lord is going to bless them soooo much this week. I'm doing fine emotionally, but my back is a pain—I see the pain doctor tomorrow.

On Saturday evening, Tom was reading his Bible.....then handed it to me to read to him....tears were streaming down his face... This is what he was reading:

Ps. 116 “I love the Lord for he heard my voice (I have no voice, Tom wept). He heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned His ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: O Lord, save me!” The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you....How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.....Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. O Lord, truly I am your servant......”

We were having a real melt-down… the phone rang—it was Ray Hauser from Hawaii….our son in the Lord…he wept with us, encouraged us, then prayed. It was such a special time…Thanks, Ray. We are aware that so many of you are upholding us before the Lord….and He is answering you. Please, please continue…it’s getting harder for us each day.

Tom mentioned that he doesn’t foresee anything for him beyond Normandy…not sure what the Lord means by that. I feel that way about after Tom is with the Lord…sometimes I get into a pity-party about it….What about me! But I know that is not from the Lord….He does have a life for me after Tom, but right now it’s not too exciting. But my trust is in the Lord…He will never leave me or forsake me, even when Tom is gone. In the meantime we enjoy each other, and cling closely to our loving Savior, whose arms are always open to embrace us with joy and love and peace. I feel so loved by Him. How can a person experience such deep sorrow and deep peace at the same time? Only God can do such an amazing thing.

Seeking to finish well in TX....
Dotty Hash (for Tom too)
326 Highland Ridge Dr
Wylie TX 75098
214-501-2527 cell: 720-480-7487

Writeup on Cadence International website

here
and his March interview alongside Dick Patty is here

Encouraging News - September 21, 2009

9-21-09 Encouraging news

We had some real encouragement this past week regarding Tom's cancer journey. First, we met with a hospice group--wonderful, wonderful people--and felt ready to move into hospice immediately because it seemed to be exactly what we needed for Tom. But we had two doctor appointments the next day, so waited to sign the papers. Tom had started on Fentanyl--a narcotic patch that lasts 72 hours providing more even dosing and stronger pain control--but he was still having so much pain in his neck/head--one long attack each day and unable to function at all. Ice and drugs helped some. So the pain management doctor doubled the strength of the patch on Wednesday. Then we went to his oncologist--a new one who replaced his former one where he had the radiation treatments in June. We only wanted him to do a CT scan to see if the tumor had spread into his head (Hurthle cell has not been known to do so.) Immediately Dr. Gilbert knew the problem--referred nerve pain from the tumor in his neck.

He prescribed steroids to control it. Then he suggested radiation treatments on that area. Since the former radiation had kept the chest tumor under control (no pain) for over 3 months, he felt this was worth trying again...he felt confident he could control the pain and give him a longer quality of life. The treatment would begin tomorrow (Monday, 21st) for 8 weeks. Then we told him of Tom's plan to go to Normandy 27th to Oct 4th with Dave, Dan and Terry Einfalt. "You should definitely go", he said, "and start radiation when you return."

That day we did a 180 degree turn around....from letting him live out his life on pain control to hope for more quality days. We came home amazed at how our thinking changed so quickly, and have the strangest feeling that the Lord is doing something very special. We had asked the Lord to close the door to Normandy really HARD if He didn't want Tom to go, and he just seemed to open it wide. From that day on his pain has been under control, and he is somewhat stronger. His voice, however, is barely audible and he has pain when he talks. The trip is a "go"! We are so excited!

David has two jobs going on simultaneously in Dallas this week, finishing Sunday morning. He and Tom fly together, and Terry will go on a different flight to Paris Sunday afternoon. Dan will drive down from Poland and meet them at the Paris airport. Dave will be Tom's meds manager, Terry and Dan are the cooks, Dan is the "event coordinator" and they all will take care of Dad. They have a wheel chair and have rented a bungalow at Normandy for 5 days. They are all so excited to have this time to build more memories. Isn't the Lord good?

As for me, I am still having terrible back pain--had steroid shots this week, but as yet they haven't kicked in. Please pray that this pain can be controlled.

Also pray for Lori, Casey and me as the men are gone....this will be my first time in many years to be alone without Tom...probably lots of tears..practicing for the day, perhaps?

Praise the Lord with us for His intervening and go-ahead for the trip, and pray that Tom's pain will stay under control. Pray that the four dearest men in my life will be drawn together in the Lord in a marvelous way.

The Lord gave me these verses this morning: . Ps. 71: 9: “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” Vs. 17-18: “Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me. O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” We have a deep sense of joy and peace in all of this.

Seeking to finish well in TX....
Dotty Hash (for Tom too)
326 Highland Ridge Dr
Wylie TX 75098
214-501-2527 cell: 720-480-7487

September 8, 2009 - from Dotty

9-8-09
I'm sorry that you had trouble accessing the video our church produced regarding "to die is gain." It was my fault...a computer geek I am NOT....I just know how to tap a few keys, for which I am very thankful. Here is the correct address for the video: www.vimeo.com/5919906 Type in that entire address and behold! it should be there. I usually hold my breath until it comes up...not sure how much good that does. (Smile).

Tom's weekend was mixed...too weak to go to church, which we miss terribly, but we had a great worship service together here at home. We invited Dr. Charles Stanley in to give the message...awesome.

We see the pain management doc today...Tom is having some reactions to the pain meds. Pray that she will know of something that will control the pain without the side effects (sweating/hallucinations/dizziness).

I have had my new hearing aids a couple of weeks now...Wow...all that I have been missing! We are so thankful we could get them (thanks to gifts from many of you). Tom's voice is just a growl now but with my new "ears" it's a louder growl. Now he says I'm mumbling. See why we have so much fun together?

Your cards, e-mails and calls are so precious to us. If we could only express how much we appreciate and love you. But that will be made clear to you someday. You are dear, dear, faithful friends.

Seeking to finish well in TX....
Dotty Hash (for Tom too)
326 Highland Ridge Dr
Wylie TX 75098
214-501-2527 cell: 720-480-7487

September 3, 2009 Update

Our days are becoming more difficult…Tom’s pain is increasing in area and intensity. His strength declines daily it seems. I have been having severe back pain…am seeing a pain management specialist and have some hope. Tom will see her next week to get help with his pain. He’s on heavier pain killers now, which make him sleepy. His voice varies but usually he can speak on the phone but not for long. Are we having fun yet? Yes and no! We laugh about what a puny pair we are, but how much we enjoy being together. But it hurts to see him in pain and his general health declining. We rejoice in our loving daughter, Lori, and her family who are having to do more and more of our work. They are so willing and so kind—we are so blessed.

So that’s the bad news….here’s the good stuff…. We had precious visits from two dear couples last week...Lem/Marge Morgan from GA former Cadence missionaries and George/Lillian Davis from SC, present Cadence missionaries who were with us at Subic in the 60s. Our time with the Lord is still so sweet. I was fretting a little because we are so limited in function, and sometimes when the pain is bad we aren’t too cheery.,..but this morning the Lord reminded me of a verse that has always been special to me…Prov. 3:5-6….”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding…in ALL YOUR WAYS acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” He assured me that this is His path for us right now and He is directing it all. There is such peace in that assurance.

Some have asked where you can access the video our church did as we shared about “To me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” You can view it here. We are amazed how the Lord has used that 3 minute video to encourage others. To think that He can use us while we sit here in our home feeling rather useless. Only He can do such wonders. If we had our lives to live over, we would serve Him again, and again. And to think after this we will be with Him forever. Doesn’t get any better than that.

Seeking to finish well in TX....
Dotty Hash (for Tom too)
326 Highland Ridge Dr
Wylie TX 75098
214-501-2527 cell: 720-480-7487

August 15, 2009 Update - Dotty

8-15-09

My last update was on 7-22—--I try not to send out too much info, but perhaps I’m erring on the other side. I’m sorry if this caused you concern

We’ve had three weeks of interesting developments in Tom’s health. Twice we went to the ER because of intense pain at different levels and different places. We now know that’s how it will be so we will just treat him with pain meds and it passes. This seems to be working okay. His voice improves at times so he can talk almost normally, but it doesn’t last long. We are thankful that the paralysis isn’t total and permanent. Tom can manage about one event a day now (usually a visit to a doctor {smile}.) He is still driving most of the time. We don't go out in the evening anymore because he doesn't have the energy by the end of the day. (This is going to be a challenge because Casey is playing football again this year--his sophomore in high school-- and we want to be there to cheer him on.) Tom is sleeping well and eating okay...still maintaining his weight which is good since his appetite is poor. Though his strength is waning, his spirit and sweetness remains strong.

Recently our pastor asked to video Tom and me concerning our attitude about death/dying. It was shown two weeks ago at our church here in Dallas and will be shown tomorrow morning (16^th) at Southern Gables in Denver. After a standing ovation at Woodcreek Church, I wrote to our pastor: “What does one do with something like that? Just humbly pass it to the One to Whom it belongs. There is no way we can express our deep, deep sense of awe as we stood to acknowledge your very gracious presentation of our story. To have your life subscribed to the words "to me to live is Christ and to die is gain" has got to be the highest honor one can have on earth. Thank you for allowing that to happen. “ How we pray that the hearts of our dear friends at Woodcreek, Southern Gables or others who view the video on line, will turn in reckless abandon to the will of our Lord, who loved us so much He willingly gave His life for us.

Our son, David, whose business is Initial Productions Group in Arvada, CO recently had the privilege of doing sound, lights, video for Promise Keepers in Boulder, CO. It was a wonderful event—one of the largest he has done (11 semis of gear). Today (Sat) he is in Grand Junction, CO to provide sound for the town meeting with Pres. Obama. His life certainly isn’t dull.

We paid off our bill at M.D.Anderson Cancer Center…it was $3800--about half of what they had quoted. And all of our other medical expenses are paid so far. Is the Lord good or what? And thanks so much to those of you who provided the funds. We are deeply grateful.

Have you heard the Gaither song: “In the upper room with Jesus, sitting at His nail-scarred feet, Oh, what blessed sweet communion, fellowship divine and sweet.” That describes our living room when it becomes a sacred sanctuary each morning. Wish you could join us. We just enjoy Him so much and thank Him each day for being together and sharing peace and joy in our journey. Yes, this is the good life. Thanks for being such a special part of it. We love you so much!

Seeking to finish well in TX....
Dotty Hash (for Tom too)
326 Highland Ridge Dr
Wylie TX 75098
214-501-2527 cell: 720-480-7487

Tom & Dotty:Woodcreek Church Video

Tom & Dotty Hash from 617 Production Group on Vimeo.

August 3, 2009

Cheryl, Dad and I were at Woodcreek Church yesterday to see a brief video of Tom and Dotty - their take on his illness, and their absolute rest in the sovereign will of God.

We hope to have the video here shortly. Stay tuned. Kevin Engle

Here is the email Dotty sent to the Church staff:

Pastor Mark, Aaron and Brian,

What does one do with something like that? Just humbly pass it to the One to Whom it belongs. There is no way we can express our deep, deep sense of awe as we stood to acknowledge your very gracious presentation of our story. To have your life subscribed to the words "to me to live is Christ and to die is gain" has got to be the highest honor one can have on earth. Thank you for allowing that to happen. And to have it enveloped in such a spirit of worship starting with "Crown Him with Many Crowns" and ending with "I Can Only Imagine!" Thanks, Aaron. How we pray that the hearts of our dear friends at Woodcreek will turn in reckless abandon to the will of our Lord, who loved us so much He willingly gave His life for us. Yes, this is the good life.

Seeking to finish well in TX....

Dotty Hash (for Tom too)
326 Highland Ridge Dr
Wylie TX 75098
214-501-2527 cell: 720-480-7487