February 3, 2023 Morning Post

We were so busy getting ready to head to Mayo that I knew I wouldn’t have time to write a post until this morning.
I am confident that the PET scan on Wednesday will not be the worst thing I will face. It’s like a cross between and MRI and a CT scan. It took about the same time as an MRI and you pass through the machine like you do with a CT. The tech strapped down my arms and said rather emphatically, “Don’t move!” I didn’t! Lying perfectly still for 30-40 minutes was a challenge. It’s amazing how much your nose itches when you can’t scratch it.
We started the trip opening a gift and a card that had been left in my office on Wednesday. For those of you who knew and were a part of the gift, we very much appreciate your thinking of us. To whoever put it together, let’s just say that it was a great way to start the drive.
We left about noon, intending on taking two days to get to Rochester. But as we drove through Wisconsin and the weather forecast was 15 below, we thought it prudent to drive all the way and not have to unload the car but one time.
The trip was uneventful except for one story. We stopped to get fuel and unfuel, if you know what I mean. The bathrooms were closed so we headed across the street to McDonalds to use the facilities. I hate ever doing that without buying something, so we decided to order something. I ordered an ice cream cone and turned to Teresa and asked her what she wanted. She said just a hamburger. The order was an ice cream cone and a hamburger. I could figure it was going to be about $4 so I start thumbing through my billfold for four one-dollar bills.
We must have looked either forlorn or needy because the young girl at the register said, “No charge. This one is on me.” I guess we should have ordered more.
It’s amazing how the mind and heart work, the senses, too. You can smell something and that smell take you back to some experience in your life. Or you can hear a song from years ago and hearing the song takes you back to a point in time that you remember where you were and who you were with.
I felt an eerily similar feeling that I felt 22 years ago when we drove to Mayo for the first time. We knew then that whatever was going on wasn’t good, but we had no real clue what or how serious. I felt the same feeling on the drive up yesterday. I also knew 22 years ago that I was in the palm of His hand. After 22 more years of walking with Him, I know that even more today.
In Isaiah 49 God says, “I have engraved you on the palm of my hands.” He was speaking of Jerusalem, but the image is applicable for us.
11 years ago this very week I was here at Mayo for a never totally diagnosed abdominal tumor that was removed. Apparently, I am on an 11 year schedule for some major health issue. Then again, I might be thrilled to live 11 more years before I faced another typhoon so to speak.
Teresa and I appreciate your prayers. I hope you’re praying for Caryn and Megan in this, too.
We head to the first consultation this afternoon at 2:45 Mayo time. We are hoping at that appointment to hear the results of the PET scan and maybe some clearer insight into what I actually do have. We appreciate the texts, the prayers, and the encouragement. The Lord willing, I will post again this evening after the consultation.