The nurse disconnected my IV and said, "We've got to get out of the building!" So our day at the cancer center was not routine.
After it was all clear and I finished the chemo, we drove to the Hotel Del Coronado in CA for "The Partner's Forum" sponsored by Moody Bible Institute. The theme is Abiding in Him...Bearing Much Fruit, and we're reminded of the fire alarm. There is an urgency as we live each day as followers of Christ.
We didn't know how I'd do after the long drive, but decided that I could stay in bed if I was too tired. So far I'm doing great in spite of the fatigue. It must be the energy from God's people and His Word!
When we arrived yesterday, a friend we hadn't seen for over 20 years came to visit and serenaded us with a couple of songs. Wow! Was that an emotional experience. And tonight we're having dinner with our dear friends, Paul and Dona, whom we have known for over forty years.
They drove for over two hours to take the time to see us!
I'm getting tired, so I'd better close for now. There were many other exciting things that
happened last week we'll have to share another time. Trust that your week has been good also.
Thanks for praying. Friends like you are such a blessing to us!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
FLASHBACK
While traveling to and from Tucson weekly for my chemo treatment, we see several folk bicycling. There are single riders as well as groups of cyclists. Most of them have the traditional fast bikes and the appropriate outfits that make them look like serious cyclists, whether they are or not.
This past Thursday, I had a flashback to to 1973 when our son, Ken, and I cycled from Camarillo, CA up to Salinas to visit my Aunt Grace. We took our sleeping bags and slept in fields with the cows. One night, outside of a prison, we slept in some high grass. About midnight, we were awakened by the sound of guys who obviously had too much to drink~they were less than 100 feet from us! It's amazing where our imaginations took us! Had they escaped from prison? Were they looking for hostages? Should we try and sneak away, or lay low and hope they don't find us? We decided on the latter, and they never found us. What a great time we spent together on that trip, just father and son.
Now that I'm closer to meeting my Lord face-to-face than I have ever been, life takes on a different perspective. Live every day to the fullest. It could be my last! Treasure those special times in life with loved ones. I may not have another chance. It is never too late for me to thank or encourage someone. All of those shortcomings in others that I complain about, Jesus addressed when He told me to get the log out of my own eye before complaining about the splinter in someone else's eye. How should I live if I know that I only have another year, month, week, or day on this earth?
This Easter season is a great time for Christians to reflect on the victory that Jesus won for us when He rose from the dead. Victory over death and sin! I trust that you know Him and can share in that victory too.
This past Thursday, I had a flashback to to 1973 when our son, Ken, and I cycled from Camarillo, CA up to Salinas to visit my Aunt Grace. We took our sleeping bags and slept in fields with the cows. One night, outside of a prison, we slept in some high grass. About midnight, we were awakened by the sound of guys who obviously had too much to drink~they were less than 100 feet from us! It's amazing where our imaginations took us! Had they escaped from prison? Were they looking for hostages? Should we try and sneak away, or lay low and hope they don't find us? We decided on the latter, and they never found us. What a great time we spent together on that trip, just father and son.
Now that I'm closer to meeting my Lord face-to-face than I have ever been, life takes on a different perspective. Live every day to the fullest. It could be my last! Treasure those special times in life with loved ones. I may not have another chance. It is never too late for me to thank or encourage someone. All of those shortcomings in others that I complain about, Jesus addressed when He told me to get the log out of my own eye before complaining about the splinter in someone else's eye. How should I live if I know that I only have another year, month, week, or day on this earth?
This Easter season is a great time for Christians to reflect on the victory that Jesus won for us when He rose from the dead. Victory over death and sin! I trust that you know Him and can share in that victory too.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Pudding Remedy
I have never had to take medication to control my blood pressure, but when it reaches the upper limits of the normal zone, I can lower it by losing weight. Many folks like myself also deal with "white coat" syndrome~anxiety that causes blood pressure to rise when one enters a doctor's office or other medical facility.
Just before I receive my chemo, my blood pressure and temperature are first checked and then checked again when the infusion is complete. While I'm sitting up or in a reclining position during the procedure, the nursing staff wants me to be as comfortable as possible. I am offered a pillow, a warm blanket, and snacks. Wanting to get my money's worth, I accept all offers and usually take chocolate pudding for my snack. My blood pressure is normally lower when the procedure is complete, and I'm convinced it must be the chocolate pudding! If keeping your blood pressure down is a challenge, you might want to try the pudding remedy!
Thursday's chemo was routine, but it really knocked me over as far as the fatigue factor is concerned. That's why this report is a day late. Yesterday was a busy day, and I was wiped out. The side effects can be different every week, so it is difficult to plan anything around how it went the week before.
One fingernail on each hand has been red for some time. It looks like I hit them with a hammer, and it also has a similar feeling. This morning, all the other nails on both hands look like like that too! Well, it's all part of this adventuresome journey.
Words can't express how much Mary and I appreciate your concern and prayers on our behalf. Thanks so much.
Just before I receive my chemo, my blood pressure and temperature are first checked and then checked again when the infusion is complete. While I'm sitting up or in a reclining position during the procedure, the nursing staff wants me to be as comfortable as possible. I am offered a pillow, a warm blanket, and snacks. Wanting to get my money's worth, I accept all offers and usually take chocolate pudding for my snack. My blood pressure is normally lower when the procedure is complete, and I'm convinced it must be the chocolate pudding! If keeping your blood pressure down is a challenge, you might want to try the pudding remedy!
Thursday's chemo was routine, but it really knocked me over as far as the fatigue factor is concerned. That's why this report is a day late. Yesterday was a busy day, and I was wiped out. The side effects can be different every week, so it is difficult to plan anything around how it went the week before.
One fingernail on each hand has been red for some time. It looks like I hit them with a hammer, and it also has a similar feeling. This morning, all the other nails on both hands look like like that too! Well, it's all part of this adventuresome journey.
Words can't express how much Mary and I appreciate your concern and prayers on our behalf. Thanks so much.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Emotions
After doing this chemo thing for over three months, I decided to reflect on what emotions are triggered by this weekly event:
I experience JOY when I'm with Mary for the seven hours that we are together on our mission to Tucson. She is the sunshine of my life.
My TRUST is in the nurses and other staff at the Arizona Cancer Center who are not only very professional in performing their duties, but they do their jobs with a cheerful spirit.
Where does FEAR fit into all of this? So far God's love has cast out any fear, for which we are most grateful.
SURPRISE comes from finding a new place to eat and now seeing the desert flowers beginning to bloom.
Mary and I have a habit of holding hands while praying and singing hymns at church on Sunday. Last week as she reached over to take my hand, I was overcome with SADNESS as I realized that one day she'll reach over and I won't be there.
DISGUST and ANGER have not been a part of my emotional trip yet.
ANTICIPATION is an interesting word. I don't relish the thought of getting poked with needles every week, and I don't think it is something I anticipate. My mind and heart are so focussed on enjoying the view of the desert, a new restaurant, encouraging someone at the cancer center, that any negative stuff is not present, Of course I could decide to redirect my focus, and then I might have a not so good day. Philippians 4:8 tells me what to think about if I want to enjoy the God of peace, and I strive to do this daily.
I experience JOY when I'm with Mary for the seven hours that we are together on our mission to Tucson. She is the sunshine of my life.
My TRUST is in the nurses and other staff at the Arizona Cancer Center who are not only very professional in performing their duties, but they do their jobs with a cheerful spirit.
Where does FEAR fit into all of this? So far God's love has cast out any fear, for which we are most grateful.
SURPRISE comes from finding a new place to eat and now seeing the desert flowers beginning to bloom.
Mary and I have a habit of holding hands while praying and singing hymns at church on Sunday. Last week as she reached over to take my hand, I was overcome with SADNESS as I realized that one day she'll reach over and I won't be there.
DISGUST and ANGER have not been a part of my emotional trip yet.
ANTICIPATION is an interesting word. I don't relish the thought of getting poked with needles every week, and I don't think it is something I anticipate. My mind and heart are so focussed on enjoying the view of the desert, a new restaurant, encouraging someone at the cancer center, that any negative stuff is not present, Of course I could decide to redirect my focus, and then I might have a not so good day. Philippians 4:8 tells me what to think about if I want to enjoy the God of peace, and I strive to do this daily.
Friday, April 1, 2011
FRIENDS
What are FRIENDS for? This past week has been a time of experiencing what FRIENDS are all about. Saturday we had a pizza reunion of our Home Bible study group from 2006 . What memories were rekindled, and how encouraging to have FRIENDS who are concerned and praying for you regularly.
Sunday morning we worshipped with our FRIENDS at Christchurch, and there were lots of hugs shared too. It is amazing how much a hug communicates without a word being said!
FRIENDS in our present Home Bible study group finished Ephesians Sunday evening with more encouraging words and hugs. What does one do without FRIENDS? They are a necessary part of life!
Have you ever had the doctor ask you to describe the pain or ache that is bothering you? It has become a weekly ordeal for me, and I wish the answer was easy to explain. My back aches, but the restless leg syndrome and heaviness in my lower abdomen is challenging to put into words, and it definitely effects my sleep. Everything else went well at the cancer center. Since I had a late appointment, we again stopped at Bubbs Grub on the way home .
I nearly forgot to mention that I had my stent replaced on Tuesday. That was going well until the nurse inserting the IV said, "Oh, that isn't good!" Since IVs or anything to do with needles is not one of my favorite things, and I don't watch what they are doing, this was not a good statement for me to hear. I was hoping, from that point on, she would continue doing her job without comment, and she did.
God's Word for the week is Numbers 9:8, "WAIT untilI I find out what the LORD commands..." This was the response Moses gave when asked questions without ready answers. As I continue this cancer journey, I have loads of questions for God, and He says, "Wait." He also says that He will never leave me, and that He is my Rock. What more do I need?
Sunday morning we worshipped with our FRIENDS at Christchurch, and there were lots of hugs shared too. It is amazing how much a hug communicates without a word being said!
FRIENDS in our present Home Bible study group finished Ephesians Sunday evening with more encouraging words and hugs. What does one do without FRIENDS? They are a necessary part of life!
Have you ever had the doctor ask you to describe the pain or ache that is bothering you? It has become a weekly ordeal for me, and I wish the answer was easy to explain. My back aches, but the restless leg syndrome and heaviness in my lower abdomen is challenging to put into words, and it definitely effects my sleep. Everything else went well at the cancer center. Since I had a late appointment, we again stopped at Bubbs Grub on the way home .
I nearly forgot to mention that I had my stent replaced on Tuesday. That was going well until the nurse inserting the IV said, "Oh, that isn't good!" Since IVs or anything to do with needles is not one of my favorite things, and I don't watch what they are doing, this was not a good statement for me to hear. I was hoping, from that point on, she would continue doing her job without comment, and she did.
God's Word for the week is Numbers 9:8, "WAIT untilI I find out what the LORD commands..." This was the response Moses gave when asked questions without ready answers. As I continue this cancer journey, I have loads of questions for God, and He says, "Wait." He also says that He will never leave me, and that He is my Rock. What more do I need?
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