September 14, 2023 - Going Back

       Please forgive me for not sending a blog the last couple of days.  We took an evening and a day to drive home from Rochester.  Today I have been trying to catch up on some things.
       We were about 45 minutes from home when we received a call from the endocrinologist at Mayo.   The ultrasound on my thyroid at Mayo showed a larger nodule than the ultrasound in Lexington had indicated. 
       With the stem cell transplant off the table at the present time, his recommendation is to remove the cancer in the thyroid as soon as it can be scheduled.   He is awaiting the slide from the biopsy that was done in Lexington in August.  He will determine when the surgery can be scheduled at Mayo.
       We were on a major high until we were 45 minutes from home.  Obviously, we were disappointed in the news.
       After some thought we concurred with his assessment of the situation.   We will return to Rochester as soon as the surgery can be scheduled.
       We have seen God’s providential wisdom each step of the way in this fight.  Had the myeloma not been found, I would have had a much more difficult treatment for the prostate cancer.
       Had the stem cell transplant gone as scheduled, the endocrinologist said it would likely have been 4-5 months before they would have considered surgery on the thyroid.
       As an added piece to the puzzle, on Friday I will be having a part in the funeral of a longtime friend from Cynthiana.  He had battled cancer the last couple of years.  He asked me late last year, before I was diagnosed with cancer, if I would have a part in his funeral. 
       Because we were able to return home when we did, I will be able to make good on my word that I had given him.
       We have given God the credit and the glory for the marvelous news that we have received the last week.  And even in this latest news, that may seem to be a setback, we trust His wisdom and timing.
       From the beginning of cancer 22 years ago I have believed as the psalmist said, “My times are in His hand.”   That is still my trust in Him. 
       God is at work.  I had contemplated the future of these blogs.  Apparently, He is not finished yet.  There must be something I still need to learn and/or to share in this.
       One of my favorite “healing by Jesus” stories in the Gospels is the one where Jesus touched the blind man and asked him what he saw.   He said, “I see men as trees walking.”  
       Jesus touched the man a second time before his sight was fully restored.
       God heals in lots of ways.  I have no doubt that Jesus has played a major role in me still being in this world.  Your prayers have mattered.
       I’d appreciate it if you’d continue them!