Hi and thanks to all who have been following the cancer journey. Here is a bit of an update. We went back to see Dr. Mruthyunjaya at his Cary office on September 29. He mentioned the following: the tumor is stable and inactive, my sight in the affected eye has improved, the current concern is the development of scar tissue in the eye, that would negatively impact my eyesight in that eye, and no rush on the next surgery as he lets the eye heal and the retina settle in. The next surgery will probably be in 2012. Its purpose is to the remove the oil that was placed in the eye to stabilize the retina and to allow for the natural fluid to be restored. The oil makes seeing difficult, so the change holds out the hope of further clarity in vision in that eye.
Susan and I are doing well. The return to normal life has brought its challenges. The closeness that was enforced by cancer treatment, must be enforced now by a lot of individual choices. The need for the help of the Spirit of grace never lets up. We needed a special sort of grace for dealing with surgeries and travel. Now the daily kind will do us fine, as long as we seek it. Trials do have blessings in that they raise our motivation. Day-to-day life requires a bit more concentration on the process.
Other thoughts: You’ll recall my clear scans from September…I was reminded the other day from a fellow cancer patient who is beginning a second encounter with the disease – “Once a cancer patient, always a cancer patient.” The absence of treatments and even clear scans do not guarantee things are done. As I was thinking about that conversation, I was reminded of a little article I wrote about heaven during my treatment time. I went back and read it and felt a twinge of regret that I haven’t been thinking that way recently. I’ll include it in the next blog. All that to say, like one of the Psalms says, “Troubles draw near, but You are near.” I don’t miss the treatments but I don’t want to miss the closeness of God. So, I’ll keep remembering, life is short, God is real, heaven is coming.
