April 11, 2023 - Sunshine

     Sunshine.  Today the sunshine of a beautiful spring day was gorgeous.  Not that sunshine.
     Her name is Sunshine.  No kidding.  I saw it on her name tag and I asked if that really was her name.  I can’t say that I have ever known anyone whose given name is Sunshine.
     I asked her if she was a ray of sunshine all the time.  She gave me a half smile.  I have a feeling that she is most of the time. 
     I spent two and a half hours at the Cancer Center today.  Sunshine was the first person I encountered.  She wasn’t the only person who brought some sunshine to a rather difficult day.
     Here’s a summary of the events at the hospital.  I am on hold for now until the issue of insurance is settled.   The insurance that I have won’t pay for the chemotherapy pills.  Cost for one month could put one of my grandkids through college.
     The first hour today was my “education day.”  I was given the scoop on which pills when, which injections when, side effects of the four main drugs, etc.  A student pharmacy tech did a bang-up job.  I gave her some encouragement when it was over.  The “real” tech was there, too.  Megan.  I told her that I thought I could remember her name.
     As I have found with some other medical stuff, it would appear to me that education before decisions that need to be made might be the better schedule. 
     I was told that I could take the chemotherapy pills and have the injection on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday each week.   Having no clue how the treatment might affect me, I said any of those would work, so I was scheduled for Thursdays.
     During the education I was told that the third day after the treatments will likely be the worst.  Let’s see.  Thursday plus three days equals Sunday.  Hum.  Maybe not the best plan if I have any thought of preaching through this part of the treatment. 
     The Lord willing, we hope to get those moved to Tuesday and start them next week instead this Thursday as previously planned.
     Instead of boring you with other details, let me share some other thoughts from the day.
     As I was waiting for my Explorer at valet parking, I felt this guy brush next to me.  It was Buddy Sargent, Wesley’s dad.  Wesley died in her 30s of cancer a few years ago.  I was a part of her battle as her pastor.  She was more than a ray of sunshine.  Nothing I could ever endure could match the grace and faith that Wesley had.
     I was reminded today that my security is in Jesus and in Him alone and not the things of this world, especially the material things of this world.
     In lieu of some ice cream to buffer the struggles of the day, I thought some actual sunshine might be good for the soul.  After finishing off some work stuff, I slid the small bass boat into the water for a couple of hours.  We did choose to live on the lake for some reason.
     Beyond the joy of being on the water, fishing can often help clear my mind.  I am not sure how much that worked today.  There was a lot more that needed clearing than a couple of hours on the lake could manage.  It’s also a great time to “have a little talk with Jesus.”
     One thing I did learn this afternoon.  Every fish in Beaver Lake was smarter than I was today.
     If I am not mistaken, I think that Teresa had some ice cream for the grandkids on Sunday.  Maybe there’s still a bit left.