Monday, March 12, 2018
It Takes Others
In February I saw Dr. Hill my oncologist and the report of the mass caused a prognosis of implementing stents in ureter and colon, There are not words to describe how uncomfortable this month with those two stents has been. But, they are there for a reason and so far have done what they were created to do. But, I have often thought about the person who came up with the solution. Oh well, I won't write much about it, but if we ever talk face to face I can go on and on!
Early March I saw Dr. Hill again. Even though I had understood not to have chemo treatment until after surgery, he ordered me a round for the next day. So one down 11 to go. I will see him weeks after surgery and he will set me up a routine of chemo again.
Exodus 17:12
When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side, one on the other - so that his hands remained steady til sunset.
I am two nights away from waking up to surgery. My surgery will be sometime on Wednesday, March 14. This has been such a time of struggle, fear, and surrender. A time of dependence on others to do for me. I realize I do have or should I say DID have trouble asking others for help. But God has taken this circumstance to teach me how. Many times I don't have to ask, someone shows up with food or fingernail polish or a telephone call or a text or a hug and I am able to make it through the day.
Just creating an agenda for days before and after surgery included so many people: here is the run down and heartfelt appreciation to them all.
Monday evening - my friend Sondra will get me, take me to her house where I will spend the night. She will then take me to Birmingham, AL to UAB for a 1:00 pm preop appointment. She will hand me off to Kacy (my daughter) and I will be with her and family Tuesday night doing all the fun prep drink activity.
Back on the home front, Charles' son Brian will stay with him Monday night. His daughter, Brooke will pick him up and bring him to Birmingham for surgery. They will stay several nights and days, and Brooke will bring Charles back home and Brian will take over.
I am still not sure what time on Wednesday the surgery will commence, but I am trusting God it will be the right time. Nor am I sure how long I will be in the hospital post surgery - but again my trust is in God alone.
Upon hospital dismissal, I will go back to Kacy's house for several days. We felt it would help to be in Birmingham in case a situation arises.
Hopefully around March 21-22 I will be again picked up by my friend Sondra and transported home. Charles' sister, Pat, will be staying with us for several days. As a retired nurse, she is so gracious to be here when questions, fears, and or pain arises.
So, as you can readily see...this adventure is going to be less stressful to me with all the help of others. I feel like Moses. Others are holding me up, caring for me, and seeing me through. Please stop and pray for those who are giving of themselves and for those who are not as blessed as I am to have help in times of need. When I return to better heath I pray God will use me to help others in need.
How fortunate I am. I have so many people who contact me daily with declaration of praying for me. What peace I receive with the reality that God is hearing all those prayers and continues to work toward my healing. Here are a few requests to add:
1. Jerry Riley, has moved to another facility for rehab. Still having trouble with eating. Pray that the stomach cramps will not plague him anymore.
2. My son Brandon, has mono. Pray for his health and strength,
3. Lily Baker who has 83 more weeks to go in her treatment. She is four.
Saturday, February 3, 2018
My Grace is Sufficient
The last few months have be racked with pain and fear. But as usual God has stayed very close. I want to share where I am in this battle with stage 4 colon cancer.
When I thought about starting this blog the title "Three Times a Charm" came to my mind for I had just learned I would be starting my third round of chemo mid February. My CEA
(A carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test is a blood test used to help diagnose and manage certain types of cancers. The CEA test is used especially for cancers of the large intestine and rectum. You doctor can also use the test results to help determine if a cancer treatment is working.) has again risen to 201 (optimal is 0-4) I have been off of chemo for 6-7 months. Dr. Julian Hill ordered a CAT scan that revealed a 3.5 centimeter mass pushing on the left tube leading from my kidney to bladder. Two days later I had a colonoscopy that also indicated the mass was pushing on my colon and causing an obstruction.
As you read this matter of fact report, please know my head and heart were not this calm. Let me tell you more.
As I said, I thought about Three Times a Charm as my title until I read 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 "I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
The thorn - cancer in my body!
I knew he was leading me to decide...will I settle for a old saying or will I stand on his word! I chose his word. He knew in advance that I would find myself right here, right now, in pain and fear. But the peace started washing over me as I realized nothing is happening to me that has not gone through His Hands. All good things come from Him. Cancer good?? No, but I will know one day the good that came from it. OK...this could be a whole other post. I will save it.
Since the reality of the CAT SCAN things have been rolling. Dr. Hill referred me to Dr. Kalish (urologist in Tupelo). He believed that I might need a stent into my kidney to ensure it empties and doesn't get unhealthy. Dr. Huey, the Digestive Health specialist who preformed my colonoscopy suggested I get a colostomy. If you just shucked in your breath...believe me I have not been able to think about it, talk about it and for sure write about it.
I checked with all doctors I have had care for me the last 4 years. They all concluded that I should listen to the advice of the expert, but that they did not do that type of surgery. I laid in bed and wondered what was next.
Monday I met the urologist, Dr. Kalish, and he got me thinking. He asked was I going back to Jackson where I had my original surgery 4 years ago. He went on to say, with your surgical history and what you have been through, you may want to think about going to UAB or somewhere that specializes in colerectal surgery. He scheduled me for stent implant on Monday.
It was on! The next morning I Googled doctors at UAB in the department. I came across Dr. Jamie Cannon. Her video gave me an insight that if she could repair my colon without a colostomy she would. I had to be referred. They said the referral process would take at least 10 days. I called Huey on Tuesday. He referred me.
Last night was one of those extreme in pain episodes. I pleaded for relief. I asked that it would not be too many days until I heard from her office. I had a phone call this morning! I am her patient. She wanted to see me on Monday...yep two places to be on the same day. I felt led to get to UAB as fast as I could. My stent procedure was moved to next Thursday.
This leaves me with a final thought. It took more that a charm to orchestrate all of this. So many issues, so many prognoses,so many doctors. But the Great Physician is guiding all of this. As His word says...HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT. Sustaining grace that meets us in our need and gives us wisdom, strength and courage. This sustaining grace doesn't promise there will not be struggles, but it promises God's presence.
Prayer request:
1. Jerry Riley is battling leukemia. Pray for his healing.
2. Denise, a friend of Elaine Ashcraft is having extreme nauesea from her cancer chemo. Pray for supernatural relief and healing.
3. Bro. Bubba Dees has had a reoccurence. Pray for healing.
4. Pray for my healing.
When I thought about starting this blog the title "Three Times a Charm" came to my mind for I had just learned I would be starting my third round of chemo mid February. My CEA
(A carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test is a blood test used to help diagnose and manage certain types of cancers. The CEA test is used especially for cancers of the large intestine and rectum. You doctor can also use the test results to help determine if a cancer treatment is working.) has again risen to 201 (optimal is 0-4) I have been off of chemo for 6-7 months. Dr. Julian Hill ordered a CAT scan that revealed a 3.5 centimeter mass pushing on the left tube leading from my kidney to bladder. Two days later I had a colonoscopy that also indicated the mass was pushing on my colon and causing an obstruction.
As you read this matter of fact report, please know my head and heart were not this calm. Let me tell you more.
As I said, I thought about Three Times a Charm as my title until I read 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 "I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
The thorn - cancer in my body!
I knew he was leading me to decide...will I settle for a old saying or will I stand on his word! I chose his word. He knew in advance that I would find myself right here, right now, in pain and fear. But the peace started washing over me as I realized nothing is happening to me that has not gone through His Hands. All good things come from Him. Cancer good?? No, but I will know one day the good that came from it. OK...this could be a whole other post. I will save it.
Since the reality of the CAT SCAN things have been rolling. Dr. Hill referred me to Dr. Kalish (urologist in Tupelo). He believed that I might need a stent into my kidney to ensure it empties and doesn't get unhealthy. Dr. Huey, the Digestive Health specialist who preformed my colonoscopy suggested I get a colostomy. If you just shucked in your breath...believe me I have not been able to think about it, talk about it and for sure write about it.
I checked with all doctors I have had care for me the last 4 years. They all concluded that I should listen to the advice of the expert, but that they did not do that type of surgery. I laid in bed and wondered what was next.
Monday I met the urologist, Dr. Kalish, and he got me thinking. He asked was I going back to Jackson where I had my original surgery 4 years ago. He went on to say, with your surgical history and what you have been through, you may want to think about going to UAB or somewhere that specializes in colerectal surgery. He scheduled me for stent implant on Monday.
It was on! The next morning I Googled doctors at UAB in the department. I came across Dr. Jamie Cannon. Her video gave me an insight that if she could repair my colon without a colostomy she would. I had to be referred. They said the referral process would take at least 10 days. I called Huey on Tuesday. He referred me.
Last night was one of those extreme in pain episodes. I pleaded for relief. I asked that it would not be too many days until I heard from her office. I had a phone call this morning! I am her patient. She wanted to see me on Monday...yep two places to be on the same day. I felt led to get to UAB as fast as I could. My stent procedure was moved to next Thursday.
This leaves me with a final thought. It took more that a charm to orchestrate all of this. So many issues, so many prognoses,so many doctors. But the Great Physician is guiding all of this. As His word says...HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT. Sustaining grace that meets us in our need and gives us wisdom, strength and courage. This sustaining grace doesn't promise there will not be struggles, but it promises God's presence.
Prayer request:
1. Jerry Riley is battling leukemia. Pray for his healing.
2. Denise, a friend of Elaine Ashcraft is having extreme nauesea from her cancer chemo. Pray for supernatural relief and healing.
3. Bro. Bubba Dees has had a reoccurence. Pray for healing.
4. Pray for my healing.
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