Thursday, January 5, 2012

The next right thing...




I received the phone call today.

I was lying on the bed snoozing a little,
as I was fatigued from my efforts at the gym this morning. 

A sweet woman, Kathleen Rhodes, helped me through
 yoga stretching exercises and then on for a round of beginners Pilates.

 I’ve never tried either before,
and quickly discovered just how out of shape I really am
....no muscle tone or strength
whatsoever it seems. 

Could it be from months of lying around doing nothing?

‘Dr. Harry Lieberman’ displayed across my phone screen
 and I knew it was the phone call we have been waiting for.

I expected him to tell me that all was well
and that the Mayo Clinic was sure,

beyond a reasonable doubt,

that the remaining cells were certainly dead.

However, it is unclear to them as to whether the
 FEW remaining residual cancer cells
 are or will be active. 

There are two foreseeable options;

1) Irreversible resection surgery resulting in a colostomy bag
(Colostomy - a surefire way of eradicating the problem))
or
2) A dose of radiation beads placed directly on the remaining tumor
 (Brachytherapy - hopefuly killing off the remaining cells)


Dr Lieberman has been in contact with my oncologists,
Dr. Manfredi and Dr. Barnes,

and they all agree;

Dr Lieberman will present my case to a board of doctors
 (experts in their field)
who will look over the culture reports and hopefully come
 to a unanimous recommendation for
 option number two.

Of course having the resection operation, and wearing a colostomy bag

 (shudder)

will do away with the problem...but there are just a few
undetermined cancerous cells left.



I think the radiation beads should work and scare off these guys!

Without me having to........you know......wear a bag.



At either rate..at this point...

I’m feeling a little numb and apprehensive. 

You see the mind is quick to run, and pick up speed going full throttle towards the unknown future and all the terrors it may bring.



Yikes! 


Lord, bring me back to this present moment...

where You help me decide to do the next right thing...

as I pray and seek Your guidance...trusting in You, my Savior,

clinging tightly to Your legs, so that You may carry me.



Please join with me and pray that I choose to do the next right thing.

It will help me get unstuck and  stop feeling sorry for myself.

I HATE to admit that...it’s an emotion that plagues me sometimes

“Every day the choices just keep on comin’ up
And I know it all comes down to fear, oh Lord
And I surrender myself to what the future may bring.
Well...I’m just trying to do the next right thing.”


- T. Graham Brown -



"...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
2Corinthians 10:5








5 comments:

  1. Linda, we are praying for you....
    I think of Moses...how there was first Pharoah,
    then there was the Red Sea
    then there was lack of food
    lack of water.....
    and at every juncture, every uncertainty, every unsolvable giant question mark,
    God was an ever present help. God was able.
    God hemmed the entire Israelite nation in, behind and before them.
    Hold on, my friend. I don't envy this journey you pass, but I know that your Father is PRESENT through it all.
    love to you,
    thank you for continuing to do the "next right thing."
    Sarah

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  2. Dearest Linda, It is late and I just read your recent addition to your blog. Once again we will hit our knees to our Lord for the trust and belief that the surgeons and doctors will also seek His will for you. This word should be prevalent in their minds. "Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." You are such an inspiration to family, friends and others you do not even know.As you wrote previous regarding your Christmas present, Protector, who is that? It is your God and your husband. As they comfort and pray and protect, your are covered with great prayers and tons of blessings. " Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" My prayers as others will be for "the next right thing". All our love and prayers go forth to our Lord for the "right thing". "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Please rest in the assurance and the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ, your Protector !! Love and blessings, Marie

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  3. My Dear Linda, You have no need to run, though I certainly would share that thought also! Remember your "Protector" - you and Joe both have 'protector' worn now, on your wrist and in your hearts. God will protect you, it may not always be easy but He is always there - you are in our prayers daily. We love you <3

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  4. HEY AGAIN PRINCESS, AS EXPECTED I SEE YOUR FAITH, HOPE, TRUST AND LOVE IS IN THE LORD. YOU MAY BE A LITTLE WEAK IN BODY STRENGTH BUT YOUR MENTAL STRENGTH IS A TOWER REACHING TO HEAVEN. AS I CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU. LOVE-----GARY LEE--- TELL JOE I PRAY FOR HIS STRENGTH ALSO. GOD WILL DELIVER YOU LINDA

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