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 Center for the Arts and then went to opening night of A Beautiful Noise, a musical about the life and career of Neil Diamond. Earlier that day I had my specialty blood draw to check for cancer markers or antibodies.  No results yet. 

    Speaking of anniversaries, Monday would have been my mom and dad's 68th.  Sadly, they only were able to celebrate 12, another reason I am so blessed and grateful for every year that God grants me that I get to enjoy with Cathy. 

    Wednesday, I had my follow-up with my hernia surgeon.  Everything is healing well.  I took a couple of rest days after the surgery and then started walking again trying to get my 10,000 steps a day. I worked my way up, 2500 one day followed by 5000, 75000, and then 10,000.  I'm now working on 12 days in a row of achieving my goal.  No bike riding for another month, but I was given permission to play some "east" golf. I think that means Heartwell and Bixby, taking easy swings to get the ball 120-150 years at most.  I can also do upper body days at the gym.  

    I met yesterday with my dental surgeon.  I was planning an implant back in January when the cancer diagnosis occurred. Teeth went on the back burner for obvious reasons.  So, like the hernia surgery, time to get this one taken care of.  It's about a year-long process.  I'll go in October to have the bad tooth removed and have a bone graft to build up the base for the new tooth.  3-4 months later when it's all healed up, I'll get the post for the new tooth put in.  Another 3-4 months of healing and then I will get the new tooth. I'll be under anesthesia for the first two sessions, my choice : )

    The next cancer check-up will be this coming Wednesday when I meet with my radiation oncologist. I'm pretty sure he will be happy with my healing. That appointment might be followed with some more scans, depending on what the blood test shows. 

    Even with all of the doctor appointments, it's been a couple of weeks of back-to-normal life which has been appreciated. Cathy and I have some trips planned in the next few weeks, one to Arizona, and then the annual trip to Lake Almanor in Northern California.  Lots of walking, boating, golfing, and reading... and a blog post or two, I'm sure. Until then, I'm relaxing and resting in the Lord.

Matthew 11:28-30... "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Psalm 62:1... Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

Psalm 23:2-3... He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. 

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