December 4, 2007

Update on Dr. Cook

Today marks the third week that Dr. Cook has been out of the hospital and staying at his house. He has been growing in strength and feeling much better over this time, and he has been able to attend various campus activities. This past week, he spoke to the faculty and staff at the annual Christmas dinner, shared a word with the students in a special chapel service, and attended the College of Fine Arts Christmas Concert. In addition, he has been able to meet with the vice presidents and others down at his house, so he has very much enjoyed this time of rest and return to some level of normalcy.

After visiting with his doctors, they told him that since he has made such good progress, he will be able to start his second round of chemotherapy a week early. As you may recall, at the beginning of the process, he was told that he would undergo various rounds of chemotherapy, some while in the hospital and some on an outpatient basis. When he left Baylor Medical Center on November 13, they told him that it would be four weeks before they would be able to begin his second round, but with the wonderful progress that has been made, they bumped him up a week, and Dr. Cook is so pleased with this.

Therefore, he is beginning his second round of treatments today at Baylor Medical Center on an outpatient basis. These treatments will last for four days, so he will be entering into another critical area of his treatment. With this in mind, would you please pray for him as he has this treatment? Please pray that it will go smoothly, that it will be effective, and that the side-effects will be minimal.

He is so appreciative of your prayers, as is the Cook family and the entire DBU family.

During this second round of treatment, Dr. Cook has selected two verses that he will claim, and he wanted to share this with you.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
- Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”
- 1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV)

He will be holding on to these promises of the Lord during this time, and Dr. Cook wanted to encourage you to do the same during your trials.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Dr. Cook, and especially for your prayers during this time. We will update you this week to let you know how this next round of treatment is going.