Under Control

One year ago tomorrow (December 7, "a date that will live in infamy") I was perched on a stainless steel table in the pulmonologist's office. His back was to me as he read from the computer screen, "Fluid drawn from pleural cavity contains adeno carcinoma cells." In that precise instant, I sensed the presence of God in the room, and I was assured that He had known about the cancer all along and that the whole situation was totally under His loving control. That began a process of tests and consultations that led to surgery a mere 12 days later. The cancer itself wasn't in the lungs, so I moved on past the pulmonologist to my oncologist. A few days after the diagnosis, the pulmonologist called me at home in the evening. "I just wanted to be sure you heard me correctly. You have cancer." I guess he wasn't used to bad news being received so calmly. I truly was calm. God took over. All this year, He has been so good, so kind, so faithful.

My cancer buddy got a discouraging report yesterday on his PET scan. They think what they see in his lungs may be the effects of radiotherapy rather than more cancer. But they're concerned about a newly positive lymph node next to his carotid at the base of his neck. It's holiday time, and he can't get in for a biopsy until December 19. More waiting! Could you join us in praying for him? Another friend confided that she's so exhausted she can hardly get up in the morning. Her doctor called her yesterday with bad news about a recent blood test and instructions to see a kidney specialist this coming Friday. She is always (I mean always) serving others, including rearing her teenage grandchild, and I'm very concerned for her too.

Speaking of exhaustion, I worked only part time both Monday and Tuesday in order to come home and sleep. Yesterday my brain was fuzzy and my vision was blurred. I'm better this morning. Maybe I need to learn to rest even before I feel tired.

I love the Christmas season. Christmas notes are beginning to arrive (by post and by email), and the re-connecting is wonderful.

Have a blessed day.

Carol