Merkel and Me

 Friday August 22, 2025     Good news this week, the blood test came back with the beautiful number of "0." That means there is no evidence of cancer in my body, at the moment. Tuesday will be six months since my surgery so I think I can say on that day, "I'm six months cancer free."      Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me. God has definitely answered prayers from the very beginning of this journey, and I have appreciated His love, care, and concern, and I appreciate all of your love, care, and concern, too.      My two friends in the fellowship group have now had their second chemo treatments. It's rough, but they are hanging in there and keeping their faith strong. One of the ladies brought up a great point with me today. At the beginning of the year Compass HB planted a new church in Long Beach. About 140 people left, including some fellowship group leaders, our group included. The elders had to reorganize some groups, and w...

 Thursday August 14, 2025     Still waiting for test results from the 29th.  I think they go to my oncologist and then I'll hear from her. I had my three-month check-up with the radiation oncologist yesterday and he seemed to think that everything has healed up nicely.  The area is a little tough, and a little discolored, but there is no pain and there were no adverse reactions in my leg. He checked for swelling in my right leg, and strength and mobility.  He was impressed that I had gotten up to an 18-mile bike ride before my hernia surgery, and that I was walking 10-11,000 steps every day after. He was pleased enough that instead of 3 months, I don't have to see him again for 6 months.      He did see that there was an order for a CT scan from February that never happened, so he suggested I go ahead, and I was able to get an appointment for September 30. That means I will actually go 47 days without a doctor's appointment. There haven't bee...

 Friday August 8, 2025     It's been a good and blessed couple of weeks. My friend Dave received his new heart the Friday after my last post.  He was doing well enough the next Monday that we were able to have a short conversation on the phone, and he was able to come home that Friday/Saturday. He needs to take it easy for a number of months and keep his contacts with other people limited, but so far, prayers have definitely been answered.      My two friends from the fellowship group have both started their chemo treatments. They are doing well after their first visits and keeping spirits up. We start Fellowship group meetings next week and we are hopeful they will feel up to attending.      As for me, the biggest highlight of the past two weeks was celebrating my 19th anniversary with Cathy. As I've said before, I can't imagine going through all of this without her by my side. We went to Leatherby's a nice restaurant at the Segerstrom ...