August 11, 2023 - More Than One Bell

     I walked into the Cancer Center this morning with an upbeat step, knowing that this was my last chemotherapy treatment in Lexington.
     Noah, the valet parking attendant, greeted me with his usual smile.  I gave him a loaf of bread that Teresa had baked, along with a tip that covered five months and a thank you for often leaving my Explorer where I didn’t have to wait for him to retrieve it.
     The upbeat came to a screeching halt when I sat down in the waiting area.  There was only one other person there.  My heart sank.  He was a young guy whom I anticipated being in his early 20s.
     I opened the laptop and started to read some emails, but all I could think of was this young guy in the Cancer Center.  Finally, I couldn’t stand it and I stepped out on a limb.  I asked him how old he was.  22 was his response.
     I moved across the waiting area and sat close enough, but not too close.  I asked him why he was at the Cancer Center.  He didn’t have to tell me, but he did.  He has a condition with his colon.  It is not cancer. 
     The smile on my face returned.  I told him that I would be praying for him, for which he thanked me.
     The short ordeal affected my blood pressure.  It was up 30 from what it has been lately.   The nurse checked it 10 minutes later and it was back down.
     I rang the bell this morning.  Actually, Baptist Health doesn’t have a bell in the waiting lobby of the Cancer Center for patients to ring when their chemotherapy treatments are completed.  I have encouraged them to consider getting one.  I rang a virtual bell in my head when the final chemotherapy infusion was finished.
When I got in my Explorer I sounded the horn.  That was the closest thing I could get to ringing a bell!
     Teresa baked some small loaves of her well-loved cinnamon bread and I gave them to the nursing staff.  Other than a couple of treatments, things have gone as well as I could have hoped.
     The treatment was very early with no blood work.  The treatment went quickly and I didn’t see a lot of folks this morning, except the young guy.   I still contend that I have been the healthiest looking patient in the Cancer Center.
     Yet, five months of chemotherapy have affected my body.  I guess I should have expected that. 
     I considered the radiation the first round in this fight.  Then the effects of the Lupron the second round.  Those side effects are still evident but should be lessening soon.
     That leaves a very long third round of five months of chemotherapy.  Similar to the weeks of radiation on my leg 22 years ago, I started strong but the longer the round the more difficult it has been.
     As this third round comes to a close, I feel like there have been times that I have staggered like a boxer.  I’ve not been knocked down nor knocked out, but the body blows have taken their toll. 
     Is it still some effects of the Lupron? 
     Is it the effects of the chemotherapy?
     Is it the myeloma raising its head?
     Is it the treatments themselves and other medical procedures, like the thyroid biopsy I had a couple of days ago? 
     Is it the mental strain of knowing what is coming in the fourth round?  I don’t even have to answer that one.  Something like Mike Tyson or George Forman may be the heavyweight on the horizon.
     I have determined that I refuse to throw in the towel.  Hopefully a couple of weeks with no treatments before I head to Mayo will help get me ready to fight in the pivotal fourth round.
     I believe that prayer has played such a vital role in this.  I am not sure where I would be without the prayer support and encouragement that I have received. 
     Not looking like the healthiest guy in the Cancer Center, for sure.  Not being able to preach each Sunday since coming home from the radiation.  Not having the sweet peace of Jesus in my heart that is still there.  And lots of other things.
     Lord, thank you for being an active Participant in this world.  Thank you for the prayers of Your people.  Through them You have released Your power into my body, mind, and soul.  For them and for You, Lord, I am grateful.