Archives for February 2017

The new numbers that matter are; “monitor 6 – 3”.

NEW ONCOLOGIST SCHEDULE

Today was my last scheduled oncologist appointment for six weeks.

I am not due back to my oncologist until March 17th.  As I said goodbye to the office staff I asked, “What are you going to do without me?”  Since last May I have been in the office at least once a week.  Sometimes it was has been upwards of three times in one week.  As we drove away it was a strange feeling, knowing I would not be back for over a month.

When I do return there will be blood tests to monitor any active Cancer growth and conversations regarding overall health.  In three months we will schedule a scan to check  for any changes within my body.

Next week I do have an appointment scheduled with my surgeon to talk about my appendix.  This should be a very short appointment where we opt to do nothing but monitor for symptoms that would require surgery.  If that appointment goes well I may be doctor free for a few weeks!

“FOUND TIME”

I do not know what I am going to do with all this “found time”.  Better yet, what is Nancy going to do with all her “extra time”?  Nancy has gone with me to every doctors appointment.  She has made sure I was set and comfortable at every chemo treatment.  She has brought me lunch and then helped me get home after every treatment.  I could not have walked this journey without her.

Our lives have adapted to this multiple doctors appointments per week and we have done well.  It will be interesting to adapt, if even for just a short time, to the life we once knew.  It will be fun finding ways to use this “found time” together.

FEELING BETTER

The last part of this week I have slowly started to feel more like myself.  I am regaining strength and hopefully that trend will continue.  My time in the office has been very productive and it is exciting to see how God is working within the community of First Baptist Church.  I am encouraged and hopeful for the time that lies ahead.

God is Good All the Time…All the Time God is Good

 

 

CHEMO FREE

This is week 2 of my break from chemo.  I’ve been more tired and weary the past 2 weeks that I have been the previous months when I was on chemo.  This Tuesday I was called into my oncologist office because they “missed me”.  There is nothing obviously wrong and they are at a loss to figure out why I feel so tired.  I was given a bag of fluids thinking that maybe I had become dehydrated and that was contributing to the way I was feeling.

Today I got to go visit the surgeon put in my port.  While my last scan was very positive in regards to the cancer it did show that my appendix was inflamed.  Yay for me.  They do not believe that this is contributing to my feeling tired but want to watch it in case they need to remove it.  Normally this would be a very simple operation, however with my cancer it could turn into something much more significant.  My surgeon has opted for a wait-and-see course of action.  I get to add him to the list of doctors I see on a regular basis.  It is good that I like all these people.

JESUS CALLING

The other morning I was reading out of my devotional “Jesus calling” by Sarah Young.  It was as if the morning’s reading was written just for me.

I am your strength and shield.  I plan out each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed.  I also provide the strength you need each step of the way.  Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about what’s on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me.  My power flows freely into you through our open communication.  Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.

Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your shield.  But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active.  My presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers.  Entrust yourself to My watch care, which is the best security system available.  I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.

WHEN STORMS RAGE

It is easy for life to become overwhelming.  It is easy to become frustrated with a situation we find ourselves in.  Without thinking we begin to believe and act as if everything depends upon us.  We wonder where we will find the strength for another day.

In those moments it does us well to remember the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 39:7

“O Lord, for what do I wait?  My hope is in you.”

Remember…God is Good All the Time…All the Time God is Good!