Strong Life Training Facility

08/30/2026

Good morning, and Happy LORD’S Day!

Today I’m battling the side-effects of the chemo (nausea, fatigue, etc.), so just a quick reminder that God’s Word – His teaching as recorded in Scripture – is the perfect source of deeper truths:

“Every word of God is flawless;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

Taking refuge in Him today, and trusting He’ll get me back on my feet quickly!

Lift heavy, pray hard, and have a blessed day, Spero

08/29/2026

Good morning!

Can’t give the medical team here at Advent Health Orlando enough praise! They are an amazing team, and I’ve been so blessed to be receiving such great care.

Pictured below are my two new friends, Juan and Elley. They have been my post-procedure nurses these last two days, and are incredible people – angels in our midst!

Lift heavy, pray hard, and have a blessed day, Spero

08/28/2026

Good morning!

Met George yesterday during one of my many walks around our floor at the hospital. All patients are immuno-compromised, so masks and “over-the-top” hygiene are necessary at all times.

You gotta’ love George’s shirt:
“MAKE MY BLOOD CELLS GREAT AGAIN.”

Asked Caryn to order me one for my stem cells. Gotta keep our faith and sense of humor, and stay positive!

Lift heavy, pray hard, and have a blessed day, Spero

08/27/2026

Good morning!

Echoes of the Past is an awesome page. For those of us who aren’t 29 anymore, this will bring back fond memories and put a smile on your face:

“You grip that rusted bar with both hands because letting go was never really an option, dust already flying up into your eyes as somebody's older brother pushes it faster than it was ever built to go.

Your knees are bent, your sneakers are sliding, and you are not getting off.

Nobody checked for splinters. Nobody checked the rust. You held on because holding on was the whole game, and the kid who let go first was the kid who ate dirt in front of everybody and had to live with it until Monday.

We didn't need seatbelts. We needed grip strength and a little bit of nerve.”

Lift heavy, pray hard, hold on tight, and have a blessed day, Spero

08/26/2026

Good morning, and Happy PUMP Day!

Stem cells are back home –
Elizabeth and Chelsea inserted three bags of my stem cells back in me yesterday.

The entire team consisted of Chaplain Nate, my nurses Elizabeth and Chelsea, Dr. Mori, Kathryn (Clinical Nurse Specialist), Angel (Respiratory Specialist), and Gosha (Cellular Therapy Lab).

Nate prayed over me before we got started and everything went great - what an AWESOME GOD we serve!

The first pic is the first of my three bags of stem cells, the second is during the procedure itself, and the third is with Chelsea (left) and Elizabeth (right) after we finished up.

Lift heavy, pray hard, and have a blessed day, Spero

08/25/2026

Good morning!

Many thanks for your prayers –
And now, a Whole-Lotta of Praise Reports:

Dean’s surgery was successful, and he’s recovering. Our brother, Marek, also had a successful cancer surgery yesterday, and is recovering well. Little Ellie had ear tubes successfully inserted and she’s doing great, and her big brother, Easton, started the second grade and had a great day. And my “chemo blast” went without a hitch.

We serve an AWESOME GOD !!!

Elizabeth (pictured below), my daytime nurse, took good care of me. The bag above my shoulder is the chemotherapy drug Melphalan (400 mg). It was a thirty-minute infusion, and now I’m taking numerous medications to help curb the side effects.

Later this morning Elizabeth will reinsert my healthy stem cells. The infusion process takes about ninety minutes and that’s when I’m officially “Born Again.”

We really do serve an AWESOME GOD !!!

Lift heavy, pray hard, and have a blessed day, Spero

08/24/2026

Good morning!

Caryn and I had our “last supper” together for a few weeks at our favorite restaurant by Advent Health Hospital here in Orlando – The Greek Corner. We ate light, having a bowl of Avgolemono Soup, Spanakopita, and shared some Rizogalo for dessert. So good!

That said, we have a couple of prayer requests today:

First, our brother Dean is having cancer surgery this morning, so please keep him in your prayers.

And second, this morning is my “chemo-blast,” a very large dosage designed to significantly wipe out the cancer in my body and “open the door” for my healthy stem cells to be reinserted tomorrow.

Thanks in advance for your prayers – we can’t let the hard days win!

Lift heavy, pray hard, and have a blessed day, Spero

08/23/2026

Good morning, and Happy LORD'S Day!

Today's POWER CHURCH message, titled "Zealous for God," can be viewed here:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3Idwwy07X4s

Thanks, and have a blessed day, Spero

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/22/2026

Good morning, and Happy Saturday!

Dr. Patel and Jessica (our coordinator) both recommended that transplant patients shave our heads before heading to the hospital.

That said, Patrick and I had some fun yesterday for the pre-chemo head shave. Here’s the transition from Geronimo to no longer needing hair ties for a while (click on the pictures for the full view)!

To all our "Lady Cancer Warriors," God Bless you! While I'm smiling, it was a bummer to cut my hair. Can't imagine how devastating the experience is for ladies fighting cancer. Hugs and love to all of you!

Caryn and I are heading to Orlando tomorrow to stay at the Bartch Transplant House. Hospital admission and the “chemo-blast” are scheduled for Monday morning.

Lift heavy, pray hard, and have a blessed day, Spero

08/21/2026

Good morning!

Yesterday, our friends and fellow cancer warriors Roy and Sue invited us to lunch at Skewers. We enjoyed a great meal and, more important, great fellowship before the big day next week.

Roy is a blues aficionado, and it was a lot of fun talking about great blues artists, both past and present. Looking forward to playing the blues again in April for Roy’s birthday!

Lift heavy, pray hard, and have a blessed day, Spero