My 3rd Last Blog Post
It's been a while since I've posted. That's partly because chemo and recovery have become a bit routine and there's not much new. It's also because I've had a little less energy, and it takes a little longer to recover after each round of chemo. I don't think that my good cells have gotten to be 100% before the next round of chemo happens.
However, the treatments are working. The cancer is shrinking. And, the doctor's plan is that after my last treatment, I'll be cancer free. And, my next treatment is the last! Only one more to go! I think I can get excited about doing my last treatment.
After that they'll give me a CT or MRI scan. They'll also do a scan where I drink a chemical laced sugary drink. Then they can see where that drink goes in my body. Apparently, cancer likes sugar. That will tell them if the chemo has been successful. Again, they are expecting it to be successful.
I think it's weird that I keep saying that it's the doctors that are expecting the treatments to work. Don't I believe them? Don't I expect recovery? Well, thinking like a mathematician, I say to myself that it's likely and even probable that I will be cancer free. In that way I expect it. But, if there's a 99% chance that I'll be cancer free, and it doesn't happen, I won't be shocked. This was the outlier.
Also, it's not a surprise to God that I have cancer. I don't know what His purposes are for this trial in my life. If He would want it to continue, then I'm sure that there would be a benefit in it. I do trust in His goodness.
Finally, there is a lesson that I have learned in my head, but not in my heart yet. In the Bible, the answer to suffering isn't a greater achievement or blessing later. It's not a matter of sticking it out now for glory later. God's not promising a brand new Toyota Sienna later for my cancer now. The answer to suffering is God. He is the greatest good we can have. A relationship and fellowship with Him is infinitely better than all the suffering in the world. And, no cancer can come in between of a deep relationship to Him. Paul, a person who suffered greatly, writes:
However, the treatments are working. The cancer is shrinking. And, the doctor's plan is that after my last treatment, I'll be cancer free. And, my next treatment is the last! Only one more to go! I think I can get excited about doing my last treatment.
After that they'll give me a CT or MRI scan. They'll also do a scan where I drink a chemical laced sugary drink. Then they can see where that drink goes in my body. Apparently, cancer likes sugar. That will tell them if the chemo has been successful. Again, they are expecting it to be successful.
I think it's weird that I keep saying that it's the doctors that are expecting the treatments to work. Don't I believe them? Don't I expect recovery? Well, thinking like a mathematician, I say to myself that it's likely and even probable that I will be cancer free. In that way I expect it. But, if there's a 99% chance that I'll be cancer free, and it doesn't happen, I won't be shocked. This was the outlier.
Also, it's not a surprise to God that I have cancer. I don't know what His purposes are for this trial in my life. If He would want it to continue, then I'm sure that there would be a benefit in it. I do trust in His goodness.
Finally, there is a lesson that I have learned in my head, but not in my heart yet. In the Bible, the answer to suffering isn't a greater achievement or blessing later. It's not a matter of sticking it out now for glory later. God's not promising a brand new Toyota Sienna later for my cancer now. The answer to suffering is God. He is the greatest good we can have. A relationship and fellowship with Him is infinitely better than all the suffering in the world. And, no cancer can come in between of a deep relationship to Him. Paul, a person who suffered greatly, writes:
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. -Phil 4:12
Well done Dan!
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