The End of Treatment - at Long Last

We finished the radiation treatments on Wednesday -- a few days before it was scheduled to be completed, but I was feeling so awful that to me whatever benefit there was to be had in those last few treatments were not worth having to climb back out of the hole they were putting me in. I can't explain in words what it's like to wake up in the morning and know that I don't have to see a doctor, have radiation, be poked, x-rayed, infused, or any other thing involved in the treatment of cancer! I will return to the oncologist on the 15th of July just for routine follow-up and then three weeks after that will come the moment of truth (the CT scan) to see if 21 days of radiation helped our quest to kill some of the little monsters.

I never did trust in the arm of flesh, but now science has done all they can do for me and I trust in the Lord completely for whatever time He sees fit to let me stay here. I feel like I have lots to do with finishing up my journals and writing a brief history of my sojourn here, but I'm quite sure there will never be enough hugs from grandchildren, missionaries sent into the field, beautiful girls in their wedding dresses, and time spent with those who mean the most to me, so I'll be grateful for what I can cherish on this side of the veil and continue to watch over my family from the other side when that time comes.

In the meantime, its time to cherish and enjoy every single day!! Your prayers have kept me in good health for 10 months -- kept me sane with your laughter, strength and service. You are, without doubt, the most awesome friends and family anyone could ever ask for!

A Few Tidbits

I am now almost half-way through the radiation treatments and praying for the strength to endure! The radiation oncologist decided to go ahead and treat the entire cancer area not just the lymph nodes. (This can be done with the tomotherapy radiation machine which targets the bad boys while sparing good tissue.) She felt this would give me a better chance at having a longer period of time without any further treatments. My family and I and the oncologist have decided against any further chemo therapy - it will lessen my quality of life without the promise of doing any good at all. The radiation is not unpleasant at all - it just zaps all my strength and leaves me with a cough that makes eating something less than desirable because of my dumb gag reflex. (Not to worry - I'm finding enough liquid things and soft foods to get the job done!) There is some residual pain in my lung, but easily treatable with over the counter meds. While this update might have tones of whining, please be assured that my life is in the Lord's hands and I am grateful for every experience which teaches me greater patience and greater trust in Him. My greatest goal for whatever remains of my life here on earth is to stand as a witness for Him and for His goodness to me and for the miracles which are part of my life. Those miracles have happeneded and continue to happen because of the faith and prayers of my beloved family and friends. I want the world to know how thankful I am for my children - they are my rock and have given up so much of their lives over the past nine months to take me everywhere I need to go and to serve me in every way they can think of. My life is rich because of friends I have made and the posterity with which I have been blessed.