This is my first post since 2015. It is time for an update.
For much of the time since
then, up until about a year ago, I was dealing with one form of cancer or
another, chemotherapies, or surgeries. As I write this, those issues seem
to be behind me, and I feel myself to be in excellent health. . .
Though I am missing a big piece of my large
intestine because of surgery for colon cancer. The doctor said I did not need
that much intestine and I will not miss it. He also took out my appendix without
telling me (as far as I can remember);
Though there was a malignant spot on my
liver. The doctors removed it and said that the liver was not a bad organ from
which to have a spot removed, since the liver is the only body part that
regenerates itself. And, because it was difficult to get at the cancerous spot
since it was behind the gallbladder, they removed the gallbladder saying,
“You’ll never miss it;”
Though on two occasions, incisional hernias
developed that required laparoscopic and open surgeries to insert mesh patches.
The open surgery finally proved effective;
Though ureter cancer was discovered during a
“routine” checkup, making it necessary to remove the right kidney and ureter.
Afterward, the doctor said, “The remaining kidney is healthy. No need to change
your lifestyle. One kidney is enough.”
In summary, though within a
six-year period I have been diagnosed with three kinds of cancer (this includes
surgery for three episodes of basal cell carcinoma on my face) and had all or
part of my colon, appendix, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and ureter
removed, I feel myself to be in excellent health.
Navigating through the above
health issues has reminded me of the "though" phrases in Psalm 46,
verses 2-3:
“Though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
Though the waters roar and
foam and the mountains quake with their surging...”
These "thoughs" are
preceded by the words, "God is our refuge and strength, an
ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear..." And the "thoughs" are followed
by, "The Lord almighty is with us... he says, 'be still and know
that I am God.'"
As I begin posting occasional
blogs, I want to give testimony to the goodness of Almighty God as my refuge,
strength. I have learned not to fear and to be still. Thanks be to God!
