Day Eighty Two - an encouraging time

Deuteronomy 31:8

"The LORD is the One 

Who goes ahead of you; 

He will be with you 

He will not fail you or forsake you. 

Do not fear or be dismayed."

I got up this morning still determined I didn't need to go to the doctor, but Riley was more determined that I was going to the doctor, so okay.  The plan was that I would pick him up before I went.  He had a meeting that was too end not long before my appointment at 3 something.

Sometime during the day I took Riley to work, and then decided to go to Goodwill for a while.  Then I went home and fretted about most likely.  I do remember that by the time I left to get Riley I was in a stressed mood.  Riley called while I was on my way and we got into a tenseness while talking.  There was a misunderstanding somewhere.  I did appear to be a bit behind schedule, but that because the traffic was jammed up getting onto the freeway.

But as I was driving I was earnestly praying and asking God to please have the whole appointment be encouraging instead of discouraging, as it had been with the sonogram and the radiologist.  I was feeling desperately in need of encouragement.

My new rose - Jayne Austin - is doing very well.

But anyway, we got to the doctor's on time, and I was quickly shown into the little doctor room, where I said I didn't want to put on the "gown".  I was seen by the doctor's PA, whose name I can't remember at this moment.  She started out very pleasant and friendly, making me feel calm from the start.  I told her about the small lump on my side.  She felt it, and said it wasn't really anything.  Most likely a slightly inflamed node due to my shingles.  Nothing to worry about.  Then she said that she had seen the pictures from the sonogram and they looked good.  She could see that the tumor under my arm was smaller.  I asked about my breast and she said that it's hard to tell until the operation.  But she then said that it probably had dead cells in it, and that's why it doesn't seem smaller.  She did not seem the least bit worried about it.  Basically she was encouraging about everything.  She even said it was a good thing to take the milk thistle because it protects the liver.

Well I was now feeling much better.  She ended the appointment by saying that it was time that I get scheduled for talking with the doctor about my operation.  So she took me into the person who schedules such things.  The appoint is September 9th, and it was explained that the operation would be about a month later.  Well there, I finally had some idea of when I would be operated on.  It is inevitable.  No escaping it.

Food, glorious food!

So when we left the office I felt so much better I suggested we celebrate.  But how do you celebrate when you're on chemo.  Well I decided "what the heck", I want to have a frappaccino at Starbucks, and that just what I had.  I was ever to tasty.  I have on all the time if I didn't worry about it being bad for me.

Then I took Riley back to work.  At least I think that's what I did.  Do I suspect the fuzzy brain creeping in on me?  Then I think he later came home on the bus, and I suspect we went to ChaChaCha for a cheese quesadilla.  I like to eat food that I can file lots of things onto, so it's very moist.  Thought I don't like sour cream.  So in this case it's the salsa and the guacamole.  When I'm eating the Lebanese food, it's the tsatziki and the tabbouleh, and then not the humus, which is like paste in my mouth.  I am soooooooooo looking forward to just plain enjoying all foods!

"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."   Philippians 2:1-4