Surprise News!

If you've been following our adventures, you know from my last post that we've undertaken a review of the necessary things in life like updating our wills and powers of attorney.  We booked meetings this week and I was surprised at how much more emotional the experience was than I expected.  It seems the reality of my health situation brings the whole planning process into much sharper focus.  So up and down the activity and emotions went with Mike and Matt and I meeting with various professionals as I am adamant about everyone involved to be informed and aware of my wishes.  No side deals, no surprises with the hope of transparency creating collaboration.

Wednesday was the meeting with the lawyer to sift through all the various possibilities that you are likely well aware of.  It's almost like creating a big puzzle or maybe snakes and ladders huh?  If this happens, you slide back to here or if that happens you climb up to there!

We walked out of that meeting with homework to do which includes lots of thinking and pondering about what our true values are, how we want to impact the lives of others and through prudent financial planning, how we hope to be remembered.  If you're ever interested, look up the story of Alfred Nobel's accidental obituary.   Part of my plan includes having my friend Judy help me write my life story as a leave behind for whatever future generations may come after me and have an interest in knowing more about their background.  I believe it will be a good exercise in reflection of what's really important in life.  Not having followed any life long passionate pursuits I sometimes wonder what I can say I've accomplished.  In describing my interests, I tend to be a wind surfer, skipping from one thing to another rather than a scuba diver, delving deep into one area of activity.  Neither is right, nor wrong, just different.

Wednesday afternoon brought a surprise phone call from my oncologist.

As you likely know from past posts, we doubled the meds in mid October, with a further scan scheduled for November 28th and a follow up for the results on December 10th.  When Mike gave me the phone my heart sank, thinking oh boy, what could he be calling about.  He stated the cat scan had been reviewed by he and his colleague, it is unchanged from the scan in October so it appears the meds have kicked in and arrested the growth of cells in my liver!  Thanks be to God!!!!  Happy dance all around.  YAY!!!!!!

After hanging up the phone, I experienced an interesting reaction that I can only describe as 'relief exhaustion'.  As much as I'd like to run into the streets and go house to house like Paul Revere, I managed only a few texts and emails, not even picking up the phone.

I will still go to my appointment on Tuesday, the 10th to discuss the plan from here but I do understand that if this level of treatment works, I can remain on it indefinitely albeit dealing with the side effects and getting used to the new roly poly me!

As we prepare for the Christmas season, I know our family will be offering special thanks for the medical care we've received over the past year, for God's work through their hands, and for the many hundreds of prayers that we've received that has kept us going over all these months.  As I've said to people, I'm certain it's the prayers that have allowed me to continue to feel so well throughout the adventures.

At a time when many have no hope, may we all share in hope for a bright year ahead, letting each of our own internal lights shine, touching the lives of others however fleetingly and leaving a sense of warmth to be shared with everyone we come into contact with.

Until next time,  may God's light shine upon you especially as the North Star prepares to line up and guide our lives toward peace and contentment.

Take care…….
Liz
"Prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive".