It's Raining

Sandy's epidural was removed, her bowels are starting to work again, and her fever, while still there, is lower than yesterday. The surgeon came by today with some additional information. This type of cancer is referred to in Classes more than Stages. Hers is Class IV because of involving both the right and left sides.  People do not necessarily begin with Class I and move progressively up to Class IV. He didn't see a reason to go outside of Wichita for oncologist appointments or treatment, if any are deemed beneficial. Looking back, he said that had we done surgery six weeks ago, there would likely not have been a different outcome. Perhaps there would be a different outcome had surgery been done six months ago, though Sandy didn't have symptoms six months ago, so there was no way to have known.

Because the tumors cannot be removed, and chemo/radiation are unlikely to benefit, inserting the metal stent to hold the bile duct open is the only "solution." Further tests or scans might reveal if the tumors grow or spread, but because they did not show up on previous tests, we can still have an all-clear test despite the presence of cancer.

Sandy will not have any doctor mandated restrictions on her activity level - she can do whatever she feels able to do.

Specific prayer requests: continued healing from surgery, including eradication of infection; miraculous healing of the tumors, with zero additional growth or spread; stamina both physically and emotionally; wisdom for everyone involved as we proceed from here.

Release day could be tomorrow, though Friday is more probable. Once she is home, we will let you know what she is up for or if there are any additional ways to help.

Last night I suddenly remembered I had promised to make cookies for a friend who was coming to mow Sandy's yard - and I know this friend will not be happy to read that I still felt it was important to keep my promise, all things considered! However, since I was up with a fussy kiddo anyway, I decided to mix up the batter. Then it rained most of the night, fully saturating the ground, making it necessary to postpone mowing…and making it unnecessary to have fresh cookie dough in the refrigerator! While my first thought was rather grumbly, I quickly remembered that we had just been talking about the need for rain - and here it was! While the rain messed up one plan, it served a greater purpose.

I remember praying, as this ordeal began this summer, that no cancer would be found. And it wasn't, for the longest time. I prayed that she would not need this very invasive and complication-prone surgery. And as of Monday, she didn't. Yet looking back, in some ways it could have been better if cancer HAD been found earlier, or if the surgery WAS possible and needed. It seems like this diagnosis is in no way good. And yet, we don't know the whole story. We don't know what God is up to, though we do know it is for the good of those who love Him. We also cannot see all of the prayers, some of which have been prayed for years, that are being answered in and through these circumstances. Nor do we know how the future will reveal answers to today's prayers. All we know is that it is raining, and some of our best laid hopes and plans are seemingly messed up. I want to encourage you to remember that rain serves a purpose. Some of the most beautiful skies, some of the freshest air, some of the most peaceful moments and lovely blossoms come after a rain - because of a rain. Perhaps we can, collectively, lean into this rainy season, looking with expectation to the future, where God's love and blessings will continue to shine.