[Mt-blind] A notice about Nick

[Rik James]

Some of you on the list may have already seen this on a list.  But I was
just forwarded it and thought perhaps some of you might wish to know and
send your wishes and prayers.  When I was in Louisiana at the training
center, in 1997, Nick was a classmate, and went on to enroll in the graduate
O&M program as well.  I am going to send all of what I can in my mind and
spirit to help him and his family out. Perhaps you folks might want to as
well.  There is an email in the text below where you can send him a note.
Thanks.  Rik


> This is just a short note to give you an update on Nick and Tai 
> Schmittroth.
> Nick has stage Four  Melanoma.  Nick is now 4 days through what will
> probably be a 6 day treatment.  He is in the hospital and Tai is staying 
> up
> there with him most of the time.  The treatment Nick receives is quite
> devastating to his body and mind.  The medication affects his heart and 
> many
> other vital organs; and hopefully, also attacks the many tumors which have
> invaded Nick's back, spine, and body.  Nick has lost lots of weight and 
> does
> not look or sound particularly great at this point.  However, that is the
> bad news.
>
> The good news is that without going through this treatment Nick had very
> little chance of  making it through.  The treatment requires that he stay 
> in
> the hospital for 5 or 6 days and then he will go home to recover from the
> harsh effects of the medication.  When he is recovered sufficiently
> (probably a week ) he will return to the hospital for 5 more days of
> extremely harsh medical treatment.  He will then return home again to
> recover and will probably not have more treatments for a couple of months.
>
> The point of all this is that the medical profession is just about out of
> options that will benefit Nick.  They have not given up by any means and 
> we
> all have high hopes that this set of medical treatments will kill the 
> cancer
> and leave Nick whole again.
>
> I think most if not all of us believe in God or some form of higher power.
> I certainly believe with all my heart that Nick can be healed through the
> power of God.  What I don't know is whether it is in God's plan to have 
> Nick
> remain here with us or be called on to another realm where I am confident
> there will be peace and much love waiting for all of us whenever we get
> there.
>
> Because I believe God can heal Nick and because if we get our way Nick 
> will
> be healed, I would like to ask and invite each of you to join with us in
> uniting our prayers and faith in God.  I would like to invite each of you 
> to
> join with us in a fast.
>
> We will be fasting on Sunday, June 4, and uniting our faith and prayers 
> with
> a petition to Our Heavenly Father that Nick receive God's blessing of
> health.  God's power is higher than medical power and if we get both 
> sources
> working on Nick's behalf I believe we can all rejoice with Nick with the
> outcome that God has for him.
>
>
> You can respond to this email or you do not need to respond , but if you
> would like to send a message of love and encouragement to Nick and Tai,
> Please send it here to my address and I will make certain they get shared
> with Nick and Tai.  I visit with them several times a day and we see them
> regularly, so I can share your love and good wishes or even read your
> messages to them.  My address is ronandjan at qwest.net
>
>
>
> Jan and I, with all of you , know and love Nick and Tai very much.  We
> appreciate being able to unite our faith and prayers with yours.
>
> Warmest regards,
>
> Ron and Jan Gardner
>