Well here we are again... in Zion Illinois on this last day of August. We drove from home yesterday and will leave for home after this chemo treatment is completed. We have these trips down to staying one night, since I am doing the driving on the return trip home. We always try to get away early enough so we avoid as much Chicago traffic as possible - hopefully we will be successful today.
We had the port access, blood draw and visit with the physicians assistant before lunch. Everything appears to be going well. Arnie says that he feels the best physically that he has felt since all this began 16 months ago. The only fly in the ointment, if you could call it that, is that the CEA has increased slightly from 3.1 to 4.3. The doctor isn't too excited about this, because this does happen and it was only one point, which she doesn't consider that much change as significant. All the other blood work looks good and Arnie is getting the usual Vectibix and Zometa for bones this time. Next trip out, they want to do another PET scan because the last PET was in July and we can do them every 3 months.
We could very easily consider this a set back with the jump in the CEA, but we actually feel that God is testing us and that He wants us to trust in him completely. It seems as though when things are going well, we tend to become complacent and perhaps forget about the significance of all the good things that God has done for us and all the answers to prayer.
We feel that these experiences are for a reason - that God has something for us, that we possibly don't even know at this point. He wants us to be available for His leading and sensitive to His presence in our lives so we can share with others. Even as we were in the waiting area before this chemo treatment began, I noticed in the display area, there were a couple magazines that I had not seen before. One of them is called "You Inspire Us!" It is a booklet containing a collection of patient and caregiver stories. There were also printed instructions for submitting your own experiences for a future issue. Well, all of a sudden, I just felt that God was showing me right in front of my face, the next thing He wants me to do... and that is to share with others just what our experiences have been. What an outreach that could be! We have also gotten involved in the cancer ministry in our church. There are things that God has for us! All he wants is for us to trust and to depend on Him for our needs!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers... God definitely has answered prayers! As I have said before, I always welcome and enjoy your comments and emails!
Hi Sharon & Arnie,
ReplyDeleteI certainly understand your feelings as you expressed so well. That's not unusual to feel as you said complacent and just want more agressive positives and for the CEA to just drop to normal in one visit. Unfortunitely, it just does not happen that way. However, you have had great success with the way it is melting away and I remember well feeling the same way with Sharon. They told us the same thing that it does not have any significance in the fact that it has a very slight bump up especially when you are so close to normal.
Just stay close to the Lord and know that he has everything including us in His hands. The following was given to me at some point in the past and I have never forgot it, especially when I start to worry or become negative about anything. I will add your name to this note to make it real.
"Sharon,
Trust me.
I have everything under control."
Jesus
Sharon, it is so good to know the Lord and to know he is in control of our lives when we call on him and allow Him. It is a real blessing for me to watch the two of you walk this journey side by side and hand in hand. Those that are watching you have got to know you have the Lord between you and to realize it's only because of Him that you are able to have the peace you have in your walk.
I am glad to see you looking ahead to what the Lord wants for you to do in light of what you have learned and experienced. It was so good to have you and Arnie attend our meeting last week and for all you shared with others that were there. A number of them told me they appreciated you both being there and all they learned from your shared experiences.
Take care and God's peace & blessings on your drive home this afternoon.
Joe & Karen
Arnie and Sharon,
ReplyDeleteSharon, your blog says it all. The only thing that comes to my mind is the old saying:
IF A TREE FALLS IN THE WOODS AND NO ONE IS THERE, DOES IT MAKE A NOISE?
Obviously it makes a noise, but no one hears it. As GOD performs miracles, if no one hears about it, do others believe? You and Arnie are the "town criers" to shout the good doings of GOD!
Keep the faith...I can hear the tree falling and it's a good noise! The sound of a miracle!
Love,
Pete