A Speed Bump

One of the main reasons for the existence of this blog is to keep people updated about my progress in my fight against prostate cancer. I think I am on track and in a normal place for this point in my recovery. I want to always be straightforward and honest in what I share, but some of the things I share are not things I enjoy sharing. Today is one of those times.

I had charley horse-like pain in my right calf so I let the surgeon's office know about it. I thought it was just a small detail that they might want to know about. Whenever they heard about it, they were very insistent that I get to a hospital and have an ultrasound, posthaste! The ultrasound revealed that, indeed, I have a blood clot in my leg. It is something that I will receive treatment for for about six months. The medicine is fairly new and therefore not covered by our insurance. Oh well.

I'm glad to be alive! I'm glad for all my family and friends who love me and are praying for me.  I'm glad for the songs and verses that move around in my heart and spirit, glorifying the Lord. Those "Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" are more than catchy tunes. They minister to my spirit and soul and lift me with their high praises. All glory to God who makes me always triumph through our Lord Jesus Christ!
 
The other day one of our daughters told me she heard the peepers! Any New Englander will tell you that hearing them is a sure sign that spring can't be too far away. This weekend is going to be cold. We won't hear them. But that doesn't mean that spring won't come. In the same way, having a reversal in life (like a blood clot) doesn't mean that God's will won't be accomplished. It's a speed bump, that's all.

I'll Be Back!

Home on the Range

 I have been home from the hospital for eight days now, and I am getting stronger all the time. Though I have some pretty intense pain in my abdomen, I can feel that I am getting better, bit by bit.
 I had a wonderful answer to prayer, actually a miracle, that happened this week . On Wednesday I had to go to Boston to get the catheter removed. They told me (and I had read) that it would probably be a few months, but hopefully I would regain some bladder control. Well, we decided we ought to get a large box of Depends so that we would be prepared for the long-haul.
 That night I had a dry night! And the next night! And the next night! In fact, I have had almost complete control of my bladder since the catheter came out, with the exception being the afternoon of the removal.  Praise the Lord! I am so grateful. When I have told people about this they are amazed and say, "I can't believe that you have ANY control already."  I can confidently say, "God did that!" That said, does anyone need a box of Depends? Cheap?
 Yesterday we got the bitter-sweet news that one of our dear ladies at church had passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. I plan to do the service on Monday, but only to actually do the service. I will not be able to do many of the things I would normally do for a funeral, but I will be at the service. She was such a wonderful, lovely lady. Life goes on, and we should appreciate all of life as it unfolds.  Being home makes me appreciate home so much more. I am thankful for normal, regular things in life, like food, showers, well water, temperature controls, etc. Indeed, I am thankful for life.

Flinigan-Flanigan

I have to tell you that the time in the hospital was so much better than I thought it would be. Everyone at the hospital was so kind, and very professional. But still, it was a hospital!  My experience with hospitals has been visiting people in various hospitals. I know many of the facilities in New England, not just by name, but also because I have been in them at one time or another for a pastoral visit.

Last week the tables were turned. I was the patient. When I woke up from having had a radical prostatectomy I was very groggy, which lasted for the rest of the day.  Even the next day and the trip home were a little surreal as I look back. But I was very glad to be home! We used to have a saying, "Home again, home again! Flinigan-Flanigan!" Not sure what it meant, but I like it.

I'm really grateful for all who prayed for me. I am sure I will still need a lot of prayer going forward, too. (But then, don't we all!?) The  pain level is down some, and I am sure it will continue to diminish. As far as a specific prayer, I would appreciate prayer that I would not get any infection.

So, for right now, I am ensconced in the bedroom upstairs, away from the activity of the kitchen, and the goings and comings through the front door. It is very comfortable, and I can make the room as cool or  as warm as I would like it to be. It makes me happy when I think back to the days when I was building it.

Anyway thank you again and I love you all.

Surgery Success

I'm happy to report that Dad's surgery went exactly as planned!  The surgeon (who we all thought was great!) was very pleased with what he saw and what he was able to do.  No complications, no surprises.  That is answered prayer!

He's resting comfortably and in very capable hands.  Christina will spend the night and they will hopefully head home sometime tomorrow.  Then the work starts of keeping him tied down to rest and recover!

Thank you to all who have been praying today and for your continued support through this journey.  Thank you for loving my Dad.  He's a pretty remarkable guy!

Now our prayers are specific.  We are trusting for his PSA levels to drop to zero (as in no.more.cancer) when they test in a couple of months.  We are trusting in God's goodness and faithfulness.  Tonight we rejoice!  We give God the Glory in all things.

Love,
Amy

The surgery is all done.
No surprises or complications.
We will be seeing him in an hour or two.
Praise the Lord!
Christina

Hospitals

Hospitals

As we ready ourselves for the surgery, I have decided the hardest part of this experience is realizing I am in this hospital because my husband is being treated for CANCER.  It hits me like a boom.  The first time it happened was as we drove into the parking garage of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.   The tears immediately come to my eyes and I wish I could bend over and let the sobs overwhelm me. 

This cancer thing and it happening to Gil takes my breath away.  How could Gil have cancer?  He looks the same, he acts the same.  He still can carry in big bags of groceries and plow and shovel snow.  He can ride his bike for 30 miles.  He talks and walks and smiles and laughs in all the same ways that I have known all these years.  But, there is an invader inside his body that wants to make him sick, that wants to take him from me and our family and friends and church. 

In the beginning the first words in my mind were,”I can’t believe this is happening!”  Over and over, like a broken record.  As soon as my head would say that, then the thought would come, “What is so hard to believe?  People get cancer. “   It is a strange thing how emotion can dictate my thoughts, instead of reason.

Then I am reminded of some words from Lisa-that nothing is happening to him that has not been sifted through God’s loving hands.

Bad things happen to good people, bad things happen to bad people, good things happen to bad people, and good things happen to good people.  Jesus said, ”In this world you will have tribulation.  But take heart, I have overcome the world."

When I take Gil to the hospital tomorrow for his surgery, I will keep reminding myself-God is with me, walking beside me, strengthening me, lifting me up, giving me courage.  I am so grateful that I have the Word of God to remind me of His love.

                                                                                              Christina

Here's lookin' at me

HERE'S LOOKIN' AT ME
As the days are getting longer and the temps are warming, I marvel, as I do every year, at how God's faithfulness is shown in nature. People who do any kind of planting (farmers, gardeners, landscapers, etc) count on God's faithfulness.  The really great thing is, though, you don't have to grow a garden to see how faithful He is. I know it's time to tap maple trees, even though I am not going to be able to do so this year.  The key to knowing God's faithfulness is having our eyes open.  In Psalm 23 David recognizes that, saying, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."  He expected  God to show His faithful care and love, no matter where he was or what he was going through!  Hey, I'm with you, David!

I have a time for my meeting with Mr. da Vinci, the name of the $2M robotics machine that will work on me. It is 7:30am on the 23rd. I will be the first order of the day. I plan to leave the hospital the next day. The procedure should take about two hours. The weather for travel to and from Boston looks good at this time.  Since I won't be allowed to eat solid food from Wednesday morning to Friday noon, I told Christina we might have to stop at Five Guys on the way home! 😀🍔🍟
Thank you all for your prayers for me.  We'll be in touch!