Jay Ayers
1118 Conifer Court
Jenison MI 49428
jayers55@gmail.com
(316) 323-9107
February 22, 2024
Dear Friends –
Wow! So many thanks to everyone for all the birthday greetings sent my way: cards, texts, online messages: all of them fun and encouraging. You made turning 37 a joyous occasion (even if I’ve now done so 32 times). I’m deeply grateful.
My sister Sarah, who lives in New York between the Hudson River and the Vermont border, has come to visit. It’s such a blessing to have her here, with lots of conversation and laughter. The ladies took me out for a nice birthday lunch yesterday, then they went to visit Micaela’s sister while I took a long nap. I seem to have the stamina for one big event per day. That’s better than it was, with lots of days when doing anything seemed like too much.
I had a CT Scan this past Monday, February 19, which said in guarded language that there is no apparent cancerous mass visible. They worded the report carefully, recognizing that just because they couldn’t see anything does not guarantee that there’s no cancer there. Still, it seems to be as good a report as it can be at this moment. They’re going in for a visual inspection of my intestines with a colonoscopy next Thursday morning, February 29. That afternoon I’ll have a followup appointment with the PA in the oncologist’s office. And then, just to fill out the week, I have a hematologist appointment next Wednesday, February 28.
I continue to have problems with neuropathy and balance. I have an appointment with the neuropathy clinic next Monday, February 26, to see what they might be able to do to help with this. This morning for the first time I felt like maybe my fingers are doing a little better. I’m kind of nervous to say so, for fear I might jinx myself: but I want to share this with you, to ask for your prayers that this is real and not just imaginary.
As to balance, you’ve heard about the guy who can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. We’ve decided that I’m the guy who can’t walk and do anything else at the same time. Last week in the kitchen I picked up a bowl with the last fragments of popcorn in it and turned to dump them in the trash, and I was falling. I didn’t hit the floor, because I fell with one arm landing on the counter and the other landing on my walker. Having sore arms is way better than banging my head against the floor tiles. Lesson learned: don’t multitask while walking.
Writing a blog has become quite enjoyable. Along with daily Read Through the Bible devotionals, I’m writing a series of essays on the Last Words of Jesus, every Wednesday in Lent. Feel free to check it out, here at james-ayers.com, if either of those sounds interesting to you.
Our Lord holds us all in his keeping, and sustains us in the midst of every struggle. I believe it, and I hope you do, too.
In Jesus’ love –
james-ayers.com 
3 responses to “Prayer Letter 15”
Blessings as you begin another trip around the sun. I’m glad you enjoy blogging, because I surely enjoy reading.
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Thanks so much, Martha! I have a lot of fun writing on this blog, but it’s always nice to find someone is having fun reading it.
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Glad to hear there might be some improvement! My prayers continue for you to keep improving. I have enjoyed reading the Bible daily with your blogs. Always teach me something new.
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