The Calm Before the Storm

 

The calm before the storm….or is it No Rain, No Rainbows????  Let’s explore that on the day before my first Chemotherapy treatment.

The calm is easy to describe.  As mentioned in my previous post, 4-5 days with no medical appointments, or tests is about as normal as it gets.  I’ve been somewhat inactive since the laparoscopic surgery on April 13th left me with 3 holes in the abdomen and a three inch incision in my chest where the chemo port was installed.  In that time I was lucky if I got in 2,000-3,000 steps a day.  In the photo above, you can see us playing pickleball at Cholla Park with our dear friends the Balistreri’s and the Stauss’s. That’s when I feel normal!  Now I’m approaching my minimum 10K steps a day.

I also, got to see an Arizona Diamondbacks game this last weekend courtesy of my old grade school buddy, Chris Wisener (second from the right).  Steve (on the left) and Peggy Byers are in town this week and I got to invite Steve to his first Diamondback game.  We’ve been friends for over 40 years.  And, the young fella in the back is Nick Hale who I love like a son and have known him since he was born.   That was my third D-Back game.  We did the home opener with Barb and Kip and hit another game with my cousin Sean McCreary and dear friend Joan Lewis.

We have been surrounded by close friends for the last month at a time of year when we never have visitors to Arizona..We had a great time with Skip and Cheryl Boomershine a few weeks ago.  Diane’s sister Barb and her husband Kip spent a week in Arizona.  We took them to Tucson where we spent time with Kyle and Billy Colburn and then got to see my oldest friend in the world, Wayne Mooney and his wife Jane on their way to their Idaho summer cabin. We had a BBQ at his sister Lynn and Paula at their house in Tucson.

Sorry to be a name dropper, but these are the moments in life that let you know you are loved.

So, what about tomorrow’s “storm”.  It’s hard to find any encouragement in beginning Chemotherapy.  My doctor and the chemo nurse each gave me a call today to tell me what’s about to go down and how I might feel in the days following.  I try to avoid hearing stories of other people’s experience because it’s mostly discouraging and not helpful for me.  

One special person in particular is Carol, who is battling cancer herself right now.  She has been a rock of encouragement and in fact, is the reason I switched my care to Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers.  I was not happy with my initial group (which is a future blog as well)  Every time I saw Carol she raved about her treatment at Ironwood and I thought, “I want to love my cancer team too”. She encouraged me to get a second opinion.  

Well, against my own policy, I took a chance and decided to ask Carol what chemotherapy was like and what I might expect.  Carol started off in her exuberant way by saying, “Mark, chemo day was the best day of my week!”  That caught me off guard so I asked why?  She said, “because I knew we were killing cancer that day!”

So, tomorrow that’s going to be my mantra!  I’m gonna be like Carol!  

So, what do you think?  Is it a storm?  Or, is it No Rain, No Rainbows?

You know what to pray for….

One last photo for this post.  I realize the denomination of your prayers are not important to me.. I need them all.  Our dear friends John and LeeAnn Cassin are powerful Catholic prayer warriors.  Early on they gave me this Healing Prayer book and a medallion of Saint Peregrine, the Patron Saint of Cancer.  I read it everyday.  Today’s excerpt is unique to what I get from all of you who are praying for me:

Scripture: They also brought to Him all those who were sick and begged Him to let them touch only the edge of His cloak.  Matthew 14:35-36.

Reflection: When I am ill, do I call out for God to heal me or do I rely only on medication?  How often do I ask others to pray with and for me?

Let the faith of others carry you when your own doubts oppress you.

Prayer: My Jesus, give me the faith to believe in Your healing mercy.  Heal my weaknesses and infirmities.