Checkups, Procedures, Results, Oh My

Well! I'm just about off to Women's' Retreat and thought I should let you all know that I am thriving.

Two weeks ago I had two checkups and a procedure.
Dr L, Hematology Oncologist, reports I am fine.
Blood work shows blood is back to normal.
Bone density scan shows bones are still great.
Dr H, Radiation Oncologist, reports I am fine. Healing very well.

This week Dr. D, GI doc, performed a 'flex sig'. I call it 'colonoscopy ez'.
Prep was easier, and there was no anesthesia.
There was pain - brief but nasty. As intense as hard labor, but only about three short hits of it. I only hope I didn't disturb the neighbors - I yelled some, and growled.
But it was definitely worth the pain to not have to be knocked out.
The little camera showed minor radiation damage - I could see little red spidery arteries - but Doc. saw NOTHING that looked like it could be cancer.

So!! I am officially well, with no cancer discernible by man and his technology, and  only minor damage from the Summer of Nasty Treatments.
AND! I feel great! Almost back in as good shape as I was when treatments began. Strength and endurance are 100%, but I'm still lacking a bit in the flexibility department.
Now, about those 10 pounds . . . back to fighting the old, long standing fight, sigh.
And the hair situation. So painfully slow. Sigh.

Enough! I'm outta here. Off to the beach!

Praise God, from Whom ALL blessings flow!
(and un-blessings too, but that's another subject!)

Six Months

Thanksgiving came, and went. I was deeply thankful. I blogged in my mind, but I never actually wrote.
Christmas came and went. I thought of how grateful I am for all of you who followed this blog and prayed and sent good wishes, but I never wrote.
The New Year came, bringing another chance to reflect, but all reflecting remained trapped in my head.

Now - I have been given yet another occasion for looking back - and I will write.
Six months ago today I was hooked up to the portable chemo drip and had my first radiation treatment.
The beginning of the great take-down.
Exactly two months after they began, treatments ceased, marking the beginning of the great healing.
After four months of healing I believe I am 95% done.
Just a bit of itchy type discomfort in the immediate area of where the tumor was.
I can sit for as long as I want on the hardest of chairs.
I can work at my desk at my office for as long as I need to.
I can walk as far and as fast as I was walking six months ago.
Stretching needs work! But, actually I am returning to my previous level of flexibility at a very gratifying rate.
So! Restoration is accomplished! Praise God!

The Lord allowed a cancer to begin growing in my body.
He provided people with knowledge find it and treat it.
And He has healed me from the damage the treatments did - as only He can.
Whether we have a little scratch from playing too roughly with the cat, or we're flattened by a disease, or by treatments, it is only God who heals. By His hand our cells regenerate. To me this is an Amazing Miracle. I am in awe of His power. I am in awe of His love. I am in awe of the healing that has occurred in my body.

Your ways, O God, are holy. 

What god is so great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;

You display your power among the peoples.

Psalm 77:13-14

Onward - in Christ - into the New Year - and beyond.

The Hair Report:

At this point I have decent amount of short scruffy looking post-chemo hair.

In my opinion it is not in the least bit fit for public display.

I am enjoying collecting hats.