I don’t plan to write many additional blogs about my health challenge—no need to burden others—but I decided to let you know we are making progress. And I wanted to share that I have not fallen under the bus of depression or self-pity. So thank you for your continued prayers!
If you’re totally ignorant of the procedures involved in chemo/radiation (as I was), let me give you a brief update and overview. I’m completing my second week of treatment—two down, five to go, with a few days off over the holidays. Monday is chemo day so I arrive at the oncology center early, meet with the oncologist, have blood work done, get weighed, etc. Then on to the infusion room, which is a large, open space lined with about 12 recliner-type chairs occupied by patients of varying ages. On my first day, armed with my laptop, Bible and latest David Baldacci novel, I chose my chair in a corner by the window. The nurses attached what would be the first of several bags of hydration fluids and chemotherapy drugs (via medi-port in my chest), and I settled in for a long day. Oh joy!
I repeat this process every Monday and although it’s painless, it can get a little tedious because of the long hours of sitting. There are television sets scattered around the room with available earphones but who wants to watch daytime TV?
There are some really interesting folks in the infusion room. Jerry, the man sitting next to me, was reading a book on Galatians when I sat down my first day. I immediately commented on the book and we had a delightful conversation about Galatians, the Bible, and church in general.
A lady came in for an infusion accompanied by two friends who pulled up chairs to form a little circle around her. I noticed they were having a Bible study and one of the friends, obviously the leader, was a colorful study herself. She looked as though she could have come right off the stage of the Grand Ole Opry of old—long, blonde, big hair; satiny dress; vivid make-up. Only in Texas, folks! But they love the Lord and were unashamed in their witness!
People came and went all day, some with their own private entourage of four or five people. Just so you understand, that’s not the way it happened with me. Carol dropped me off at the front door of the clinic at 8:30 and with a wave said, “I’m going to the mall—see you about three o’clock.” John Wayne walked into the clinic muttering something about “pilgrims.” Some of you reading this don’t know me so you don’t know when I’m joking. Trust me when I tell you that what I just said is a really bad joke and my wife will make me pay!
About 2:30 the radiation technician came and off I went, chemo IV pole and all, into the radiation room. There they place a mask on my face that’s been marked in order to be precise with the radiation beams. The mask had been made previously by warming plastic mesh and forming it to my face. They clip it down to hold my head steady (think Freddy Krueger).
Everything is computerized and after I’m on the table, the computer goes to work above my head. For about 15 minutes all I hear is the whine and whir of the machinery and an occasional click—and then it’s over.
So, I have chemo every Monday and radiation Monday through Friday. So far the side effects have been minimal. Fatigue is probably the hardest to deal with at this point. I try to keep a semblance of a schedule but I quickly run out of energy and have had to put some of my ministry assignments on hold for now. Very little nausea, however, and for that I am grateful.
Spiritually I feel great. A few mornings ago I was praying and suddenly was overtaken by the presence of the Lord. I realized that some of my friends were in prayer for me right at that moment. It was powerful—and I thank you!
Every day I continue to talk with the Lord about healing and, of course, I have questions for Him. “Why me?” and “Why am I not instantly healed?” And every day my Father takes me by the hand and leads me through the day. If God’s leading will not get me to healing then I’ll never get there.
Ultimate healing is to be where He wants me to be, when He wants me to be there. When He says He will lead us and we put our hand in His, honestly now, where do you think He is going to take us? Do you think He will lead us into depression, sickness or disease? No! He is leading us to wholeness and health—which may not come instantly but it will come! However, when it comes is not our call.
I absolutely and without equivocation believe that God heals the sick today just as He did when Jesus was alive. But I must confess that at times I get a little irritated by some of the silliness that surrounds the message of healing and health. In a month or so I’m going to write a little on what the Bible affirms about healing, debunk a few myths, and generally give the devil, sickness and disease a black eye.
We are on the road to victory!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment