What a difference a year makes!

This time a year ago I was recovering from surgery.  The surgery happened in mid October.  It was supposed to be seven hours long - including a total hyterectomy and an application of warm chemo after the surgery.  It lasted less than an hour as the cancer was too extensive and the doctor said I needed more chemo.

In the aftermath I felt pretty hopeless.  I was also potentially looking at having an ileostomy which every time I talked about it at first I would cry.  I eventually saw a doctor who explained to me and I prepared myself emotionally for it.  Thank God it didn't have to happen.  Thank God.

Now, a year later I have had the second surgery which was successful and I think 18 chemo infusions.  I now have a port which makes that easier.  I also - for the last five months have watched my "numbers" drop from 400 to 92 which is good.  I am now on elahare which as a potential side effect of blurry vision - which I don't have.  The only problem is the neuropathy which so far is manageable.  That is, I can still play pickleball.

 I had given up teaching a Bible study at church last winter because of the surgery and that has been resumed.  I was able to go on vacation to North Carolina twice to see my brothers and to Michigan with the girls and grandkids.  

And so, I live in gratitude aware of how far I have come and the blessings that have been mine throughout a difficult year.  At this point everything seems so much better.  My beloved Dr. Backes said that she was in a conference in Germany in which they are clearly devoloping more  and better chemos.  So, when and if this Elahare does not work there will be other options.  A year ago my future seemed much less bright than it does now.  

What I have learned from this year is really three things:

1. I do not know.  I do not know what the future is going to bring.  Both Good and Bad

2.  I need to enjoy and savor the blessings of this day.  Because I do not know what the future brings

3.  All  will ultimately be well.

These are hardly new ideas - but I share them anyway.

God is good - all the time!