Thursday

March 6, 2025

    Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise.

    When I wrote last week's post, I imagined that there wouldn't be much to write about this week. I could talk about my mom's birthday today (100) and the anniversary of Cathy and my first date (20 years ago). As far as my cancer situation, I could talk about rest, relaxation, and healing, but my follow-up with Dr. Tran wasn't scheduled until March 11. 

    But then, I received a phone call Friday night from Dr. Tran's nurse.  Dr. Tran had meetings she had to attend on March 11, would it be okay if we rescheduled for March 4.  I, of course, said sure, though I was wondering if she would have the lymph node pathology results by then, and would it be too early to take out my staples. 

    My recovery was going great. No pain, just general soreness to the touch. I got out Friday for a shopping trip to Trader Joes. Sunday, I took a small walk around the neighborhood.  I stayed home and watched the Compass HB live feed for church.  I was still worried about sitting in one place for 90+ minutes.  Monday and Tuesday I again took walks around the neighborhood adding up to 5000 steps. 

    Monday night I received a phone call from UCI.  Cathy was talking to her mom so I quickly hustled to another room.  Unfortunately, along the way, instead of pushing the connect button, I pushed the "don't accept" button.  ARGGGHHHHH! I was able to listen though as Dr. Tran left a message.  My edges were clear, my lymph node was clear, there is no sign of cancer.  Thank you, God, Praise the Lord!!! You really have to appreciate a doctor who takes the time to call you with your good news instead of just waiting one day until your appointment.  Dr. Tran is special. 

    Obviously, there were some tears, big smiles, and lots of sighs of relief. We couldn't wait to share the news and thank everyone for their prayers.  The next day we saw Dr. Tran.  She did take out the staples and now I'm steri-strip held together : ).  She then gave us the details for moving forward. Because of the size of the original "tumor," (about the size of Cathy's fist) she is worried about recurrence (she gave us about a 25% chance).  She is going to set me up with a radiology oncologist for future radiation treatments to the area.  It will start in about 6 weeks, once we know the site is completely healed.  She thinks I'll have a treatment every day, 5 days a week, for about 5 weeks once it starts.  I'm then going to see her every 3-4 months for at least the next two years for blood tests and scans to monitor if it has metastasized to other areas.

     As always, Dr. Tran was honest, but in a hopeful and positive way.  You understand the gravity of the situation, but you leave feeling confident it will work out (of course, faith in God and His ultimate plans helps with that, too).  She also made sure to give us both a hug before we left (two actually).  Hopefully not, but if you are ever in need of a surgical oncologist in Orange County, Dr. Tran is awesome. 

    So, I'm cancer free, at the moment.  I still have a brain MRI next week, and a blood test in the future to confirm that there are no active cancer cells in my body.  It doesn't mean there won't be again.  Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive form of cancer.  It will be similar to my colitis condition.  It is under control and has been for 5 years, but it could flare at any time. The cancer is gone, but it could come back at some point in the future.  I will need to follow the doctor's orders and keep an eye out for anything unusual that appears on my skin, or just under. If there was one medical lesson I would share from this experience, anything unusual, get it checked. If I hadn't, this would still be in me and, considering the growth, would have spread to other areas. 

    I am so grateful for all of the prayers that were lifted up for me, and the love and care that has been shown from family, friends, and my church.  I'm looking forward to going back to our Fellowship Group meeting tonight. Since next week now looks like my "not much to share" week, I think I will detail more reasons how and why I know that God has been leading me through this, and I'll share some other times in my life where I knew it was God that brought me there, at that moment, with those people, and for that reason. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. 


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