A friend of mine went in for outpatient surgery for something minor. As it turned out, it was not minor. It was a tumor, cancerous - a recurrence of cancer. This is her 4th bout with cancer. She has had two different kinds, each two times over the course of about 30 years or so. I didn't know her any of the other times. I'm glad to know her this time.
Her attitude is amazing. She says things like, "I can do this. I've done it before." and "I'm fortunate that I don't have small children to try to take care of while taking these treatments so I can concentrate on getting well." She is being proactive with losing her hair. I guess she hasn't lost it with previous treatments but the side effects of this chemotherapy include likely hair loss. She has ordered several scarves. She says if she by chance doesn't need them, she'll give them to someone who does. She repeatedly says things to Thank God and being grateful for this or that.
When I first talked to her it was days after the 30 minute surgery that lasted 90 minutes. She said that God had really been involved with this one. The reason for the original surgery was hernia repair. There was no real reason to "get right on it" except that her family doctor said, "let's not wait, let's just get it fixed now." The surgeon agreed that it was a hernia and thought doing it now was a good idea too. Surgery was scheduled for a few weeks away.
A lot of times hernias are repaired with one type of surgery but for some unknown reason, the surgeon said he'd like to do it a different way. Had he done it the usual way, he might have ruptured the tumor, spilling cancer cells into her system. That didn't happen. The tumor was removed intact and there was no evidence that the cancer was anywhere else.
Later, she had some sort of scan then went to see her oncologist who said there is no sign of cancer anywhere. He did want to do chemotherapy treatments though as a precaution for dots of cancer that might be missed by the scan. She said, "Fine. I can do this. I don't know what God's reasons are but I know He is in charge and has a plan for this."
I talked to her again yesterday. She sounds very well. Her first treatment was last week. She was fine for a day or so, then felt awful. I guess the side effects include severe muscle and joint pain. I can't imagine taking treatments that you KNOW will make you feel awful right now for something that has no symptoms...yet. She had no symptoms with the cancer, just a lump where a hernia might be. She will take several treatments, 21 days apart. Each treatment will cause her to feel worse and worse. But she isn't worried. She can do it. After all, God has a plan...she doesn't have to like it, she says, but she can do it.
Father, I lift up my friend and all those suffering from the side effects from treatments from awful diseases. I know my friend is right. You do have a plan, or rather lots of plans. May You be glorified during their times of suffering. May they all feel Your presence so that they can be comforted knowing they are part of Your plan. I pray specifically for my friend who has asked for prayer for patience and continued hope. In the powerful precious name of Jesus, Amen.
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| You can order scarves here. I don't know anything about it. |
When I first talked to her it was days after the 30 minute surgery that lasted 90 minutes. She said that God had really been involved with this one. The reason for the original surgery was hernia repair. There was no real reason to "get right on it" except that her family doctor said, "let's not wait, let's just get it fixed now." The surgeon agreed that it was a hernia and thought doing it now was a good idea too. Surgery was scheduled for a few weeks away.
A lot of times hernias are repaired with one type of surgery but for some unknown reason, the surgeon said he'd like to do it a different way. Had he done it the usual way, he might have ruptured the tumor, spilling cancer cells into her system. That didn't happen. The tumor was removed intact and there was no evidence that the cancer was anywhere else.
Later, she had some sort of scan then went to see her oncologist who said there is no sign of cancer anywhere. He did want to do chemotherapy treatments though as a precaution for dots of cancer that might be missed by the scan. She said, "Fine. I can do this. I don't know what God's reasons are but I know He is in charge and has a plan for this."
I talked to her again yesterday. She sounds very well. Her first treatment was last week. She was fine for a day or so, then felt awful. I guess the side effects include severe muscle and joint pain. I can't imagine taking treatments that you KNOW will make you feel awful right now for something that has no symptoms...yet. She had no symptoms with the cancer, just a lump where a hernia might be. She will take several treatments, 21 days apart. Each treatment will cause her to feel worse and worse. But she isn't worried. She can do it. After all, God has a plan...she doesn't have to like it, she says, but she can do it.
Father, I lift up my friend and all those suffering from the side effects from treatments from awful diseases. I know my friend is right. You do have a plan, or rather lots of plans. May You be glorified during their times of suffering. May they all feel Your presence so that they can be comforted knowing they are part of Your plan. I pray specifically for my friend who has asked for prayer for patience and continued hope. In the powerful precious name of Jesus, Amen.
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