Good days, miserable days
The last few days have run the gamut. I found out only a week ago that I had bone cancer in at least my skull. And it turns out to be in other bones as well.
MEDICAL JOURNEY
10/20/20252 min read
Life this past week has felt like a time warp.
Only ONE WEEK ago I found out from a brain MRI that there was cancer in bone there. And then Thursday I found out that I have bone cancer in several places.
My life has completely shifted.
In that time my sister drove from New Hampshire to arrive here to go to my Thursday appointment with my oncologist. And she's already done so much around the house for me. We even managed to give away some things simply by putting them by the street with a FREE sign on them.
I was very tired on Friday. Physically and emotionally. So I just rested.
Saturday I enjoyed college football on TV.
And then a cold front arrived Saturday night and made me miserable physically.
I've always been very sensitive to barometric pressure changes. And I discovered that when the barometric pressure goes UP quickly, I have bone pain. Well, that's what it did all day yesterday—go up and up and up.
And when cancer is in your bones...well, it makes for a miserable day. My new, stronger pain med helped some but not enough. All morning and into the afternoon I squirmed around trying to find a comfortable position. I mostly used my recliner but I also tried my adjustable bed and a different recliner. And heating pads. Finally around 3PM the pain subsided enough that I wasn't miserable.
Today I'm mostly tired again. I'll go to the dentist this afternoon to get the last tray of my invisible braces. After a couple of weeks with it I should be able to go to retainers I wear at night.
Thursday is my bone biopsy. I don't think too much about that because I'll deal with it on Thursday. The good thing about it is that I'll be able to make treatment plans. The most hopeful thing my oncologist said on Thursday was that after the biopsy we can get treatment started "and get you to feeling better."
Feeling better sure sounds good to me!
I continue to take things day by day, hour by hour. I find the Welcoming Prayer helpful. I'll end with a version I particularly like today. You may find it helpful as well.
Here's that version (from Mile High Ministries):
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
I welcome everything that comes to me today because I know it’s for my healing.
I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations, and conditions.
I let go of my desire for power and control.
I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval, and pleasure.
I let go of my desire for survival and security.
I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person, or myself.
I open to the love and presence of God, and God’s healing action within.
Amen.