A Reality Check.

 While thinking about the day before I was out of bed, I thought reality...why not.  So...dear reader...you are receiving a reality check report today.  

1.  The reality is that after a very long, unusual, neverbefore  had experience the cancer is gone.  That is the current reality and a good one that should be forever.  

2.  The reality is that after a very long surgery procedure with many doctors present for each of the three stages,  the surgical removal of the cancerous tumor, along with lymph nodes was eliminated.  Radiation was added to the cure. 

3.  Even though radiation sessions were completed on June 4, radiation continues to happen for two weeks in my body after that date.  So...bad and good cells are still being killed, the good ones will return which could take from 2 weeks to two months I've been told.  The bad ones...GONE!

4. With radiation of my head added to the cure, some other happenings have come my way.  Since radiation kills the bad and the good, food has become  interesting? Not really.  There is either no taste or more so a very bad taste.  How can food smell so good and than taste so bad?  RADIATION.  And what food choices were tolerated perhaps a week ago can be found on the horrible list.

5.  With eating difficulties comes weight loss.  In another time that might be considered a good thing.  Now it is not.  Weight loss means slower healing so Protein drinks have been added to the challenge of swallowing.  But as my mother often said...This two shall pass.  Good healing once again should come perhaps in two weeks but perhaps in two months.  All bodies are different and unpredictable so the doctors say.  It's impossible to nail that one down.   Let's work toward the fist time mentioned.   

6.   The reality is that I have been  blessed with a greater understanding and appreciation of a body that God has created.    Blessed for all the  things that have happened in my life starting with birth, adding the tumor behind my ear I named Norbert  diagnosed as cancer.   Better yet, blessed with experiencing prayer support.  

Today I sing Blessed Assurance for many things.   Thanksgiving for doctors who love to learn about the human body trying to find solutions to problems that come along with living.  Thanksgiving for those who are interested in radiation work, Gratefulness for people who walk along side with PT techniques to eliminate some of the unpleasantness that comes with all of the healing work and of course supportive friends.  My tent is large and overflowing with support.  Thank you.  Thank you.    

And now the reality is that Cancer continues to happen.  Prayers are sent, prayers are answered and now I ask for prayers for Susan who will be leaving the hospital for home today.  Susan's surgery 6 days ago was for tongue cancer.  It will be a long recover. So far her reports are good.  Her daughter Katherine is with her.   Prayers for Angie, a mother of 4 wonderful young children who will start a series of 30 radiations on Monday.  Angie has had surgeries, chemo, hospitalizations and now will be a radiation patient.  Both of these woman are North Church friends I have known for some time.  

We Are Standing In the Need of Prayer.  And now for a walk in the garden and a visit from Noah.