Note: Started writing this about 2 weeks ago!!!
Except for this past year, every 4 years athletes from around the world gather to compete in both winter & summer sports. They have spent countless hours training to have that one or two moments of competition. When finished their event, they hope to be standing atop the podium as a gold medal is placed around their neck. However, most competitors at the Olympics will never have that feeling of winning the gold, but they all say just being there was worth everything.
If you know me at all, I love most sports. In my younger years, I played a bit of softball, a bit of field hockey, but my biggest disaster was gymnastics. An armchair athlete is all I'll ever be and I'm fine with that. Although right now, I'm running a different race. A race that is mentioned in the Bible in Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
During the week of July 19, I ran through another round of blood tests, a CT scan, and finally, my doctor appointment. While many scenarios played through my mind, I tried to keep my focus on the things above. Sometimes it was easy, and other times, not so much. Especially when I received my blood test results while drinking the yucky contrast before my CT scan. Oh no!!! They went up from 56 to 71. This can't be happening again!!! It's too soon!!! Soon, I was called back to have the scan done. Then, I was back home and back to work - numbers temporarily forgotten. Thankfully, work has been fairly busy and I don't have much time during the day to think on these things.
Finally, Thursday afternoon came and I was off to MD Anderson to find out what all the results were and what did all that mean to me. As I waited for the doctor, and waited, and waited, I just read, prayed, and sang in my head. I may not remember all the words to songs, but usually one or two lines of a song are on constant repeat. Music always calms my heart and spirit.
When my doctor finally came into the exam room, she sat down and after initial greetings, she sat down and started going over my test results. Because at our last appointment she didn't have all my CA-125 results from the beginning, I had charted everything and printed out a copy for her. I think she was impressed!!! She was concerned that my CA-125 numbers had taken another big jump, but she then went over my CT scan results. Apparently, some of my pelvic lymph nodes have decided they wanted in on the action and have started growing a little bit. As the doctor stated, not enough to be considered "enlarged," but in my opinion, any growth is not good. She indicated that at some point we will need to do a biopsy and determine if it is high grade serous or low grade serous. Apparently, I have both. I don't know if this is fairly common or fairly rare, but knowing what is making these nodes grow will determine how I am treated moving forward. She also said that according to the CT scan, I have a small pleural effusion. This time on my left lung. Oh goody!!!
Although I know the doctors at MD Anderson regularly discuss cases, she told me that she would be bringing my case to the meeting and they would discuss the next best steps. I couldn't ask for more. I just need to be patient because they only meet about every 3-4 weeks. I do know in early September I will probably have another CT scan and more blood work. So, in the mean time, I'll try to enjoy some summer activities and put numbers and scans in the back of my mind.
The Bible defines endurance a little bit differently. In Romans 5:1-5, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." One thing I know is that through this journey, I may sometimes shed tears, but I still have joy. I may sometimes be anxious, but I still have peace. I may sometimes feel this situation is hopeless, but I still have hope. I know that whatever I'm "enduring" is for my good & His glory!!!
We all endure different struggles in our lives - physical, emotional, relational, financial, and spiritual. How you think of these struggles is the key. It also depends who your "Coach" is while you "endure." My "Coach" is Jesus Christ. He walked this earth over 2,000 years ago and endured so much in his short life, even death on a cross!!! But because He endured and WON, I have complete faith and trust that He will be with me every step of this journey - good or bad. The world wants you to put your faith in yourself, but you can't do it alone. Maybe it's time you get on God's Team!!! I love cheering for Team USA, but I know when my time on earth is done, I am getting the gold .... the streets of gold in heaven with Jesus, my Savior and Lord!!!
With all that's going on and the waiting and waiting for what's next. This song by Bethel Music sung by Kristene DiMarco has been one of those "on repeat" songs. I don't remember when it came out originally, but this was one of the worship songs during She Speaks Online 2021. I was and I still am blessed with the message of the song. I hope you are, too!!!
Also, I am again participating in The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition's (NOCC) Together in Teal - Everywhere as One from now thru the end of September. Due to the pandemic, the run/walk portion of the event has been postponed. However, they are encouraging everyone to walk/run at least 30 miles in honor of their 30th anniversary. I am going to attempt to do that, but with my work schedule, etc. I'm not sure if I will make it. BUT, I'd still love your support and your donation to help find a cure for Ovarian Cancer. I'm well on my way to my first goal, but I'm hoping to smash that and set a new goal. Here's the link to my fundraising page:
https://give.ovarian.org/participant/SANDRA-PERRY
Thanks in advance!!! ☺
Remember -- September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month!!! Think Teal!!!!!!!
* Peace in the waiting
* Blood work on Thursday, September 9 @ 7:15am ET
* Doctor appointments on Thursday, September 23 @ 9:40am ET & 4:00pm ET
* Wisdom if decisions need to be made
* Prayers for healing for Bob, Marlene, & a young girl, Miss J. who is in the hospital
* Time & energy to walk for NOCC
Answered prayers:
* My friend Joy is now in the arms of Jesus
* My friend Michelle D. is out of the hospital from her long bout with COVID-19
Only by His Strength,
Sandy
