UPDATE on priest with cancer: ‘I firmly believe in a BIG GOD of miracles!’

Many of you will remember Father Greg Ketcham, from the Diocese of Peoria, whose story I posted a couple weeks back.

Yesterday, he published on his parish website this update: 

Hello Parishioners and Friends!

Late yesterday afternoon, after 10 working days of waiting, I received my pathology report from MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. I have a brain tumor on the left part of my head close to my speech center and there is a “cloud of tumors” rising from the main tumor.

This brain tumor is known as an Anaplastic Astrocytoma. The Anaplastic dimension means it has expanded. It’s believed this tumor has been in my brain for up to three years starting as a Grade I Level and now is a Grade 3 Level. It is inoperable because of its location to my speech center. The doctors want to, at this time, begin treatment as if this is a Level IV brain tumor beginning with Oral Chemo on August 14 and Radiation beginning August 15.

Related: Pray for this priest…

I will have six weeks of Radiation and Chemo before having another MRI to see if the tumors have shrunk. What is really interesting, is that less than 10,000 adults in the world over the age of 45 have Anaplastic Astrocytoma. The median survival rate for adults with Anaplastic Astrocytoma is 2-3 years from the Internet. Also interesting, the people with the most diognoses of Anaplastic Astrocytoma are children who have a greater life expectancy. I anticipate my treatment will put me into situations where I will have an opportunity to spread a smile from Jesus to them and maybe a kind word!

As I have said before to you, I firmly believe in a BIG GOD of Miracles! I also intend to be Pastor of St Patrick of Merna and St Mary’s in Downs for however long Jesus wants me to share the Gospel and the New Evangelization! I look to return to Bloomington the first part of October.

I love and appreciate all the good folks (including the graciousness of Bishop Jenky, the Clergy, Religious, and Holy People of the  Diocese of Peoria and beyond) who have shared their prayers, good wishes, and contributions which will help me contribute to this fight against cancer which I will have to travel to Houston many times per year for follow up treatment. Many of you are aware of a shirt that is making its rounds in my honor. In a special way, it was my intention for the back of the shirt to proclaim John 24:17 (adapted) and this is my motto of discipleship and what the world needs to hear: “Jesus gives a peace the world cannot!”

In my honor, spread that Word of God because I know that peace from Jesus!!!

Your Pastor,
Msgr (Fr Greg) Ketcham

Please keep Fr. Greg in your prayers!