Roger McGath

We are so grateful to have this way of letting friends and family know about our journey.  We love and appreciate each of you and depend upon your prayers to help us "keep our eyes on the prize", our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As many of you know, Rog was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in September 2006.  After receiving Proton Radiation treatment, the disease was kept at bay until March of 2010.  Because his PSA numbers were rising, Rog began receiving Lupron injections every 3 months.  Again, all was well until March of 2014 when the tumor on his  prostate invaded the wall of his bladder causing blockage and kidney failure.  Fortunately, doctors acted quickly and Rog recovered well.  This past year, the cancer has brought several surprises as it continues to spread:  nerve damage to his tongue, pain in sitting bones, and neuropathy from a mass pressing on nerves in his spine.  Thankfully, the pain in his pelvic area and down his legs has been completely erased through radiation.  Unfortunately, the cancer does not want to let up and has now targeted his brain. On June 18, doctors at OHSU hospital removed two lesions from the surface of his cerebellum which had suddenly caused severe vertigo.  He initially recovered well.  However, on Monday, July 11, the vomiting and equilibrium issues returned,  but more mildly.  Rog spent several more days in the hospital without getting any better. We were able to bring him home Friday, the 15th, after doctors rehydrated him and gave him steroids through an IV. 

During the time in the hospital it became clear that we needed help communicating to friends and family what is happening and how they might pray.  How thankful we are for Caring Bridge!  We want you to know that we are hanging on to our Lord as we seek His mercy.  Rog needs to have radiation to his brain and spots on his skull.  Our appointment for setting this up is Tuesday, July 19.  In the meantime, we are using steroids and anti-nausea medications to try and ward off the nausea and equilibrium symptoms. Please pray that Rog will be strong enough to keep the appointment and to withstand the treatment.

Through all of this we see God's provision and His faithfulness "to cause everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." (Romans8:28).  We have not asked for any of these cancer related issues.  Nevertheless, they are here.  But this is the cool part.  Before we had any idea that these latest issues would appear, God knew.  And He did two incredibly wonderful things.  He allowed Rog to complete radiation to his pelvic area, so that now he has no pain when he sits or down his legs while dealing with these new issues.  Also, for some time, we had planned on 10 days of family fun this summer.  We have three children, all married with two children each.  Our son, Trent, lives in Salem.  Our daughter, Sarah, lives here in Gresham.  Our daughter, Anna, in California.   The dates for this were June 27 to July 6.  Rog had brain surgery on June 18, so obviously our plans for "fun" were somewhat altered.  But God knew we would benefit from and be strengthened by being together.  He orchestrated the timing.  Our kids even complemented their dad on his excellent planning.  All their calendars had been cleared to be with him!  :)  

We celebrate that and we celebrate our Lord!  Our pastor recently completed a sermon series on the 23rd Psalm.  Verse 6 reads, "Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Hallelujah and Amen!