As I begin my 50th year on this old earth, I have to pause and look back. No, not because of shortness of breath. Just because I have found it helpful to reflect on last year's path and plan for any course corrections.
The past few weeks have been eventful enough to take one's breath away. We were fasting for a lot of family members last Sunday. It makes you stop and really think about our mortality.
Heidi's sister, Sheila was hospitalized for blood clots in her lungs, following varicose vein surgery. She's doing fine, but they are still working to balance her anticoagulants. She'll be on those for a while.
No sooner was Sheila stabilized, than Heidi's sister, Kathy went to the hospital with abdominal pains. They discovered a grapefruit-sized tumor, a sarcoma of some sort. It is aggressive and invasive and the prognosis doesn't appear good. She begins chemo soon to try to shrink the tumor so that they can try to remove it. Kathy seems to be in good spirits considering the news and the fact that her oncologist is lacking in tact.
And we have been keeping up on baby Andrew's progress, and are grateful and amazed. It is amazing for a newborn to go through such a complex surgery. I am also amazed at the surgical team and the stamina they must have for such a complicated surgery on a little body. That has to compare with running marathons.
Heidi had her first MRI today, on her shoulder. It has been causing her some pain for a while. Of course, we're hoping that it's not serious. It's not her throwing arm (thank goodness), but it is her baby-carrying arm. She found the MRI experience humorous.
As we deal with all the complications of life, it gives pause (yes, there I am pausing again) for reflection on the miracle of the human body. Heavenly Father gave us an awesome gift. When you stop to consider the complexity of the body, it's amazing that more doesn't go wrong.
Anyway, we pray that everyone will be healthy, and for the Lord's will to be done. Sometimes there are things we have to learn first.
I just heard Jimmy Cliff singing Many Rivers to Cross, and that just about sums it up. We have many rivers to cross before we reach our destination, and the crossings aren't easy. We just need to keep praying and keep pushing forward, and stop to rest long enough to understand the Lord's will.
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News update: It took some time, but Sheila has recovered well.
Kathy has beat the odds. After going through chemotherapy and radiation, her tumor was about the same size as when they found it, but it's growth was impeded. Surgery was not an option because the tumor is wrapped around too many vital organs and arteries. At the time she was diagnosed, the doctors didn't think she'd live more than a few months, but it has been a year and a half. Recently, she found that the tumor is growing again, so she faces decisions of what to do now.
My MRI showed a partial tear and some thinning, plus an impingement. (I had a terrible fall while playing basketball in March 2008, but I didn't have the MRI until August 2009.) By the time I got the results, I was actually experiencing less pain, and I decided to wait to see what happened. I am glad that I didn't opt for surgery, injections, or therapy. My shoulder has healed. Thank goodness.
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