Just got back from the 2nd and last phase of my treatment regimen of high dose radiation therapy. Feel better than I did after the 1st procedure. No headache and no sore throat from the trach tube. Just a lingering fatigue and shortness of energy which I expect will last for 10-12 days as before.
In order to get home (8 hour+ drive) without having to stop at every outhouse and bent telephone pole for a pee, I was wearing a 14mm catheter and urine bag. The normal size is 12mm. It was a little uncomfortable sitting in the truck (6 speed manual, adeptly handled by my wife) driving home in a non-stop rain. The relief in removing it was indescribable!
I wore that for two days and nights and it enabled me to have the best night's rest I've had for years! All of this is probably more information than some would appreciate, but when it comes to matters of life and death, conventional norms do not apply.
I am confident that I have beaten the 'Big C' once again due to timely medical intervention and the prayers of many. How anyone could face such a trial without having a spiritual well to dip in I cannot imagine.
I'd like to pass on the story after my 1st treatment session ....
I was still dopey and when I asked a volunteer to call my wife to pick me up, she directed me to a public access phone! In the time of Covid 19! In disgust, I walked out of the hospital intending to walk back to the motel, a distance of 2 kms. It was a cloudy day and without the sun to guide me, I walked in the wrong direction.
When I realized that I was lost, I asked God to direct me to the person who could help. A young woman was walking her dog across the intersection and I asked her if she could make a call for me on her cell phone. She agreed and I explained the circumstances.
She noticed my hospital bracelet and the words "Cancer Clinic" and said - "Me too." Then I noticed her wig. We had a really good conversation while waiting for my wife and she thanked me for giving her support (!!!) and expressing my faith. But it got even better .....
During the conversation, another young woman approached us asking if we had any spare change. She looked terrible, likely a meth addict. I said - "Of course, sweetheart!" as I handed her some money. As I did so, I said - "Anyone here besides me got a problem with drugs or alcohol?" as I do every time, looking her right in the eyes.
It always has the same effect as I admit to being a sober alcoholic, 33 years clean & sober, but still an alcoholic. I tell them that I made it out of hell and when they are ready, so can they. That's it. No preaching.
I told her I would pray for her and she left knowing that someone saw her as a suffering human being and didn't blow her off like she was so much trash on the city streets.
The other cancer patient said - "Do you always do that?" I told her yes and she expressed her appreciation for my humanity in dealing kindly with the addict. We both had tears in our eyes.
I regret that I did not even ask the names of the two women, but God knows who they are when I pray for them.
Tell me that my unintended 'walk-about' was not guided by the hand of God .....