Thursday 

February 27

    One thing about foggy days, eventually the sun does come out, burn off the mist, and you can see clearly again. So, it was for us last week. Thursday was a rough day, but the sun came out on Friday and things became much clearer. It was a week of many examples of why we believe in God and how we see him working in our lives. 

    Friday, I received a phone call from my surgeon's scheduler.  She had been on the phone all morning with the insurance company and finally received an okay to proceed with the PET scan. At first the radiology department couldn't fit me in until March 14, but after some (I believe) pressure from my surgeon they were able to schedule me for Tuesday, the day before my surgery was scheduled. Later, that day they called back and moved the scan to Monday because having the scan on the morning before I was to receive the injection for my lymph nodes was not going to work. I was also able to schedule the MRI for a couple of weeks after the surgery.  

    We had a wonderful weekend of Saturday morning men's and women's meetings with our Fellowship group and Sunday church service.  We were able to attend the service with our nephew who was just back in the country after a seven-week overseas business trip. Sunday was prep day for the PET scan, no carbs and no sugars, proteins and non-starchy vegetables, only. It's not often the instructions from the doctor include eggs and bacon. I also had to drink 32 ounces of water on Sunday night and another 32 ounces of water Monday morning. 

    When I got to the radiology department, I was called back to the prep area.  The intern asked me if I used to be a teacher at Ramona Elementary.  I looked at his name badge and recognized the name immediately, Grant Cameron.  I had also taught his sister, Brooke, and remembered them and their family. It was nice starting the day with a friendly face and a proud teacher moment learning how Grant had crafted a great life for himself. The PET scan only lasted about 15 minutes.  I've learned during these scans and MRI's how to occupy my mind.  I play golf in my head.  I think of my favorite courses and then work my way around them, hole by hole. 

    The PET scan was the most worrisome aspect of this week, so it was a great relief that my surgeon called me early Tuesday morning to tell me the scan came back with nothing indicating any spread of the cancer to other areas. Thank you, God!! Later that day we almost blew it.  I was supposed to be at the Irvine medical center by 3 PM to receive the injections in the lymph nodes but was concentrating so much on waiting for the phone call telling me what time to be there Wednesday morning for the surgery I lost track of time.  The center called me at 3 and asked if I was on my way.  I had to apologize, tell them I forgot, but that I could be there in 20 minutes.  They said come on down and remarkably, I was able to get there in 19 minutes.  Four shots around the original incision and one in the groin area to check for spread and I was on my way home.  Whew!!

    Wednesday started with a phone call from our Fellowship Group leader and his wife, John and Lynnie, to pray with us before we left.  Definitely a great start to the day.  We were both impressed with the Chao Cancer Center at UCI Irvine. I got there at 8 AM, there was about 30 minutes of prep and then they brought Cathy back to sit with me until 9:30 when they came to finish the prep and take me to the operating room.  The surgery took about 2 hours and then there was 45 minutes in the recovery room. The doctor talked to Cathy and told her that she was very encouraged with the surgery, they were able to get the rest of the cancer out, and they took out one lymph node for pathology. We will be praying that the pathology report comes back negative. I visit her again on March 11th for a follow-up and discussions of what comes next. 

    We came home and I took a 2-hour nap, still recovering from the anesthesia. When I woke up, I felt good.  I had no pain, but that may have been the meds. That afternoon, Mary Parise from our Fellowship Group brought us some chicken soup from Katella Deli, with cookies, too. I spent the rest of the night relaxing, reading, and watching the Kings (lost in overtime, sadly). I woke up today feeling great. I stopped taking the Tylenol and had no pain.  The area is sore to the touch, but no pain otherwise. I moved with no problems and even made the bed and did three loads of laundry.  I worked on my Scripture of the Day (our church's Bible reading program) and did my questions for Fellowship Group.  I seriously considered going tonight, but didn't think I could sit for 2-hours without moving. 

    So overall, a great week.  All the needed appointments and procedures were scheduled and made. I got to have a proud teacher moment. The scan showed no cancer beyond the original spot.  Recovery from the surgery has been easy and painless. Prayers from our family, Fellowship Group, and friends were heard and answered, and we appreciated them all.  So many things had to happen within a short time span.  It definitely showed that God was at work, and everything was good. 

    I appreciate everyone who is thinking about me, turning those thoughts into prayers, and those prayers into concrete actions of care. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11

    Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Galatians 6:2

    Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 6:18

    And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.

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