Some Things I Know for Sure

[Originally written on January 26, 2015]

We were at my appointment with the surgeon, Dr. Granger, this afternoon and I know that many of you have been praying for me, and asking the Lord for good news—for a good report. Thanks for your prayers. I’m not entirely sure how to evaluate all the news that he gave us, but I’ve been reflecting on it over the past few hours. So these thoughts are current, if nothing else, and perhaps reflect something of the mood I’m now in.

In a world filled with uncertainty these days, there are several things that I know for sure. Some of these I have already known for a long time and have been reaffirmed now, and some are completely new. So here’s a list, in no particular order.

• God is good. I know this not only because I read about it in the Bible and see it in history, but I have experienced its reality in my own life. God will continue to be good. All the time. It is on this basis that I can lay out the following information in a rather matter of fact manner.
• Dr. Granger had the pathology report from the surgery that I had three weeks ago today, so there is no more waiting for those results. Some of the fog has been lifted.
• The pathology report showed that there is (or was, since that part of me is now dead and gone) more cancer in the lymph node that was removed from my groin.
• The cancer there was contained within that lymph node and had not spread into the surrounding flesh area. This, in case you can’t imagine it, is good news.
• Further surgery is required. “Radical surgery” is how he referred to it, trying desperately not to alarm me. Unsuccessfully, I might add. Any time someone uses the word radical and some part of my anatomy in the same sentence tends to set off alarm bells in me.
• During this surgery he will remove all the lymph nodes in the left groin area. (Why did I say “the” left groin area? That’s “my” left groin area. This is my body we’re talking about. But you know what I mean—the thought hurts less if I say it that way.) This surgery is scheduled for February 26^th at the Eagle Ridge Hospital—the same hospital in Port Moody where I left part of my leg.
• Sometime before the surgery I will have a CT scan so that they can identify where else the cancer may have spread. It’s possible it may also have spread into some lymph nodes further up into the pelvic region. If that’s the case, then he will also remove those lymph nodes. (That will only add another six inches of incision and take him another half hour to do! May as well do it while he’s in there anyway! Sounds like a mechanic working on my car. Seriously, that’s just how it works and that’s okay.)
• Recovery from this surgery will take longer than the last one. I will have the luxury of experiencing hospital cuisine for at least three days. Can’t wait! Even after I get home there will be the need for some level of home care for a few weeks. (I think they have significantly underestimated Sharyn’s skill at changing dressings on my wounds! They have no idea how much she has been enjoying that.)
• There may be the need for radiation treatment. The results from the CT scan and the actual surgery will determine this.
• There will not be the need for chemotherapy since it would not be effective for this kind of cancer.
• I will not be having a PET scan. (Obviously I was able to convince the surgeon of my inability to conceal any kind of pets on my person. But he had to cut me open once already just to make sure!)

Okay, enough of the details. Some of those probably fall into the category of TMI. Sorry. At least I haven’t included pictures of my leg! (But I could send you some if you would like. Just let me know if you do.)

There are also many things for which I am really grateful. Here are a few that come to mind quite easily:

• I can keep my slippers. And there’s a silver cloud behind every lining. I get to keep my membership in the Cancer Survivors’ Club for at least a while longer. And crazy is here to stay. (I talked about slippers in my blog post of February 2nd, in the context of good news, bad news stories.)
• The wound on my leg—the one that’s “not quite all there” any longer—is healing nicely. Sharyn and I have seen noticeable improvement every day. The section of the skin graft that is taking well is blending into the rest of the leg nicely. With the exception, perhaps of the stomach hair growing down there, which doesn’t quite match the other hair in that area. But a guy like me should be grateful for a little hair here and there. I’ll take whatever I can get, and wherever I get it.
• My mobility is being restored somewhat. I’ve basically set aside the walker and can get around on my own two feet much more easily—at least for a few minutes at a time, until I have to get my leg back up. This means that I can even drive around myself, for a short distance at least.
• I’m having minimal pain. This has been the biggest surprise to me through this whole adventure. I expected it to be much worse. I don’t like pain. It hurts too much.
• The outstanding care and concern and attention that I’ve received from the medical system and people involved in it has been nothing short of exceptional. And it’s been really fun observing some people’s reactions when I go out of my way to express my appreciation to them. At the doctor’s office this afternoon I thanked the nice lady there for working so hard to juggle things around over the past month to accommodate my surgeries, tests and doctors' appointments. It totally caught her by surprise. (Don’t other people ever say those things?) There was some emotion in her voice when she told me a couple times that I was very welcome. Very, very welcome!
• I cannot sufficiently express how grateful I am for the prayers and encouragement from my friends and family. It’s humbling and exciting at the same time. I’m sorry you have to endure reading this blog thing of mine. No one should have to do that. Unless they want to.
• God is still good. His grace will be enough for me. I am both very sure of that and very grateful for that.

These things I know for sure.

Selah