I just couldn’t keep myself from doing a blog entry tonight, even though my blog has been dormant now for several months! A year ago today I had my first surgery, which was supposed to be “no big deal” and I had come home for my 2 week recuperation before resuming my normal duties. Little did I know that on the 17th my world would change!
I can’t help but relive those days, remembering “a year ago today”….. To make it more vivid to me, I had a CT scan on Friday and went to the Dr. today for the results. I’m guessing there will never be a time when waiting for those scan results doesn’t create a bit of anxiety. I breathed a sigh of relief when the Dr. said the scan showed that my abdominal and pelvic “pictures” were clear. There was a tiny place on one of my lungs that they will watch, but the Dr. is 99% sure it’s nothing and suspects that at the time of the next scan it will be gone. My blood work was “peachy” as the nurse said! All I can say is, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
After Steve and I left the Dr. office, we went out for lunch. When we were almost finished with lunch, I went to the ladies’ room and noticed as I walked by a table, that the back of one of the people at the table looked like my gynecologist. So as I walked on I was reminded of the fact that if it hadn’t been for her staff who listened to my concerns, did an extra exam (with minimal or no symptoms), then sent me for an internal ultrasound – my cancer would not have been detected at the very early stage it was diagnosed. As I came out of the bathroom stall (I know, “TMI!!!!!”) and was washing my hands, in walked Dr. Grant! She said, “Cheryl!! I saw you walk by so I followed you into the bathroom!” :-) I hadn’t seen her since October of last year, but she said she’s been getting the Dr. reports and has been following my progress.
I told her that my first surgery was a year ago today (her surgeon did my first surgery) and that her staff saved my life. She threw her arms around me and gave me a big hug – with tears in her eyes. So we stood in the ladies’ room and I gave her an update on how I’m feeling, how my hair is growing, etc. It was amazing that the Lord would allow me to see her and thank her – on the one-year anniversary of my surgery. I told her I don’t get to see any of my regular doctors anymore and she said, she knew that, that I’m seeing all the big-shot doctors now! :-) Needless to say, that meeting was a great capstone to a wonderful morning! It warmed my heart that she was so interested in and excited about my progress. I have been blessed with wonderful doctors and nurses throughout my treatment.
If you’re reading this, I know you are one of the many people who has prayed for me during this past eventful year. I just wanted to write a short note to give you an update and to thank God for His mercy, His healing, and His strength that He gave me to make it through tough times. Now that I’m back to “normal” (whatever that is!!) it is comforting to know from first-hand experience, that God does give grace as we need it. He gives us our DAILY bread – not ahead of time and not behind time. How blessed I am! What a great God we serve!!
Christmas has a special sparkle to it this year – in fact every day does! I look forward to closing this year, 2011, and eagerly anticipate 2012! I hope each of you has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
