Thursday

December 4, 2025

Lamentations 3:22-23...

    The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

    Two weeks in a row, everything back on track. I talked to my surgical oncologist Dr. Tran on Tuesday, and we went over the PET scan. Like the blood test, it came back showing no signs of cancer. 

    However, I realized that I'm at that age where every scan is going to show something. It's like taking your car to the shop for an oil change and find out you need new tires and an air filter. So, as excited and pleased that I was that there was no sign of cancer, the news was tempered a bit by the news that I needed to have a couple of things checked. One was kind of funny, and I can't wait to talk to the ENT doctor about it.  The scan showed that I have tonsilitis. Weird since I had my tonsils removed when I was 9, but apparently, they can grow back. This should be interesting. 

    The other incidental issue was connected to my prostate, possible prostatitis.  I checked with the doctor today and he is sure that I am fine. I don't have any symptoms, and he said that as long as the cancer blood test stays a 0, I should have nothing to worry about.  But there will be a blood test next week to check my PSA levels. 

    The other good news of the week was that I was approved for Medicare.  My insurance stops when I turn 65 (January 22) and, considering everything, I want to make sure my coverage continues. We met with an agent who took us through the process, and I signed up for plans that will keep my care at the same levels and continue to cover my medications, too. That was very important because one of my colitis medicines is incredibly expensive, if I had to pay for it directly. Overall, our costs will stay about the same, and yes, I feel old : (

    I love Christmas and the Holiday Season.  Cathy and I have put together some special events to enjoy and celebrate. Of course, first and foremost we are going to enjoy all of the events at church: Rejoice night for the ladies, Christmas dinner with our Fellowship Group, Christmas Eve Candlelight service, and every Sunday during the month. Cathy was at church most of today helping to decorate.  We also have two concerts to go to, a Christmas organ recital at the Segerstrom Center and Colbie Callait and Gavin DeGraw at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center. Lastly, we are going to a Holiday Tea Experience on December 26 in San Juan Capistrano. It is so nice knowing I can enjoy all of these events with no concerns or worries about my cancer health. God is so good!

   One last bit of news to share, many of you may know that my retirement fun project is a blog where I review children's books, grades 4-8.  I've been working on if for over 5 years and just finished book 200 today. It was a really good one, great way to hit 200. If you haven't checked it out...   www.shouldireadreads.com. Give it a look and pass it on to anybody you know with kids in the correct age range who are on the lookout for good books. 

    Isaiah 7:14... 

        Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel. 

Merry Christmas!!!

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