My Journey With Cancer - Part 16

April 29, 2018 – Waiting

This past week marked the end of my third cycle of chemo treatments. I have now had nine infusions. That means tomorrow (Monday, April 30) is my day off. I can honestly say I need a week off in the worst way. This past week has been helacious. (That is a highly technical term that explains many things.) Ending this afternoon it has been on incredibly busy week on all front and the build up of chemicals in my system has begun to hit me hard. I may write about that in a future post, but not today. Since this is the end of my third cycle, I am due for a CT scan to see how/if things are progressing/regressing. I do want this information. After a call to remind them of this schedule need I will wait until this week to learn the schedule for the scan and the learn when I will know the results.

There is a word in that first paragraph that causes most of us to cringe just a bit. I am sure you saw it. That word is “waiting.” I am waiting. I do no really like waiting all that much, yet I have spent more time doing just that over these past months.

Waiting on the test

Waiting on test results

Waiting to see the MD

Waiting on the lab to complete work so they can begin my infusion

Waiting on the infusion

Waiting in the waiting room (Has anything ever been more aptly named?!)

Just waiting

You probably are somewhat like me. You do not really like the waiting thing either. If I am waiting, it means someone else is doing something and I am not. It means a loss of control. Herein lies the rub. We like the control, or at least the allusion of it. That is true even if we know we really are not in control, God is.

If I have had anything driven home to me over the past 6-months it is that fact. God is in control. I am not. God gives me freedom – within limits – to make decisions that affect my life and those I care about, but ultimately it is God who is in control.

It is nice know that the God who is in control of my life, and my waiting, loves me, cares for me, looks out for me, leads me, and likes me.

Guess I’ll wait a bit longer to see where this leads.

My Journey With Cancer - Part 15

April 9, 2018 – Third Sprint

Today marks the beginning of my third “cycle” (for want of another word) of chemotherapy. Each cycle includes three consecutive Monday sessions where sit for 2-3 hours while the chemicals are put in my system via my port. I have chosen 11:00 am to allow me the morning to get some work done prior to my infusion. (Don’t all Mondays have tons of extra things arise? Better to deal with them first.) Another factor is that Kay works until around noon each day and she comes to sit with me for the final 2/3 of the time.

As I said, today is my third cycle. It will end on April 23^rd. (Maybe spring will be here by then!) Following that final treatment I will have another CT scan to determine if the drugs are working. If they are, we continue. If they are not, we talk about a new plan.

God has been very real to Kay and me during these last months. That “realness” has shown in many ways, but one way it shows is in the responses from the two churches I am privileged to serve. (The non-profit has been quite gracious too, but that is another post at another time.) The churches have supported us with prayer, understanding, concern, financially, and grace. Most weeks in the bulletin at Deer Creek Church they print a prayer for the attendees to take home and pray for us. I thought many of you would find this week’s prayer encouraging.

Mighty and merciful God,

You sent Jesus Christ to heal our broken lives.

We praise you for that today.

Please touch Terry with your healing touch.

Make him strong and bring him good health.

Provide strength and support for Kay and Gavin,

Then all shall be renewed with vigor

And point to the risen Christ who conquered death

That we might live eternally. Amen.