Reminder of where we are: The November followup scan showed a small area of concern. The Feb. scan confirmed that there's a spot there. It is not a new metastasis; rather, it's an "implantation" which means some cells dropped off during a previous surgery. The spot is quite small, and is not down in my lung this time. It's in the lining near my ribs. Dr. says it's an easy one to remove.
The Schedule for This Trip:
Monday, 5/18 - drive out to Houston (leave in the early afternoon)
*Pray for safe travels.*
*Thank God for the friends who are letting us use their much newer/nicer ride for this trip.*
Tuesday, 5/19 - fun-filled day of bloodwork & P.E.T. scans. ("blood-sucking & nuking" as I like to call it)
*Pray for accurate & decisively clear results that show nothing beyond the one spot that's already there.*
*Thank God for incredible medical technology & for amazing medical expertise. (This spot was too small to even biopsy in Feb.; yet the scan showed it clearly)
Wed., 5/20 - Appt. w/ Dr. Mehran, the surgeon. Appt. w/ Anesthesia folks in prep for Thursday's surgery.
*Pray for clear wisdom for Dr. Mehran, & for peace for us as we get our next most-impt-ever test & scan results*
*Thank God for Dr. Mehran's skill & knowledge, and for his willingness to operate on me this third time in less than a year.
Thurs., 5/21 - surgery 1st thing in the morning
*Pray for everything to go smoothly in this surgery, and for peace for Lisa as she waits once again...
*Thank God for a job & a schedule that allow us to head out there, & again for Dr. Mehran.*
Probably a couple of days in the hospital, then one more night w/ my HS classmate Diane (due to how long it takes to actually leave the hospital when getting discharged), then home to lie around with the dogs for a few days & recup.
*Pray for a quick & complete recovery & release from hospital. (Anesthesia does odd things to me; takes a while for all systems to switch back on...)
*Pray for safe travels back. I won't be able to drive, & will have to get out & walk every so often. This will not be Lisa's favorite trip...*
*Thank God for my HS classmate Diane who is letting us stay @ her house again, despite having sold it & being in the process of moving out of it, and for my H'burg friend Lance who will be coming to mow my lawn next weekend.*
*Thank God that He is Jehovah Shammah - The Lord Who Is Present.*
I *REALLY* am grateful that so many are praying so much. Maybe...just maybe...this trip will wind up the heavy stuff. That's my prayer & hope.
In the midst of this dark journey, we are most blessed by the many ways God shines His light on us directly and through His people. My hope is to never be the same as I was at the start of this journey...
With love and hope,
Mike
p.s. - from some recent times w/ God:
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me...Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! My heart is steadfast, O God,my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. (Psalm 57, various verses)
When I am afraid,I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid...For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling,that I may walk before God in the light of life. (Psalm 56, various verses)
Cast your burden on the Lord,and he will sustain you...(Psalm 55:22)
2 comments:
I'm on it. I'm already praying; not waiting until tomorrow. Will share all of this with our small group tonight. I know you've got a lot on your prayer plate, but might there be room for one more? Clay & I sit next to a wonderful couple in church that are a little older than you. She, too, is having her PET scan on tuesday. She knows to pray for you & yours. Will you please do the same for her? I look forward to seeing what God is going to do this week. I'm asking for Him to show Himself & get an immense amount of glory. He is worthy of it! Love you & Lisa much, Kristen
I am also already praying, and I will continue to pray. Have a safe trip, travel-wise. I am also thinking of and praying for Lisa, James, and Anne.
Christy
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