Health Update

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!