#38 Miles of the Journey Through the Rapids of Cancer- Wishing for a Stronger Faith

 The Sunday before my biggest treatment.  Altogether, I get all four cancer drugs plus blood thinners, a viral preventer, and an asthma medication.   Who could have guessed I could have gone from no meds at all for a few years to this fruit salad of medications?  So far, I am bearing up well under all this.  In fact, I feel really good.  My physical capabilities keep expanding, and mentally, I am in a good place.  There are some down times, but the more I am into this lifestyle, the easier it is to navigate these straits.

There is a flu epidemic in our area, and I have avoided crowds and close places with people.  I am doing the hermit routine.  It isnt't my first choice, but I am adaptable.  This too shall pass. I wish things were different, but they are not.  I can't change that, but I can give it to God.  

The problem is that I give my issues to God and then in a weak moment, take them back. When it gets overwhelming, I give it back to God, and so this goes.  If my faith were stronger, I would imagine I wouldn't be taking back so much that I gave to God.  Holy Spirit, infuse me with a greater faith that I may release my fears and place all my hopes in God. 

#37 Miles of the Journey Through the Rapids of Cancer- Coming Up For Air

 Things are going well as far as my treatments.  A new medication was added for my asthma, and it was a game-changer. The capacity for physical efforts has been greatly enhanced.  Some small side effects of the other drugs were practically eliminated. 

How long will this lasts? I am not sure.  I hope it lasts indefinitely, but I  have learned from this medical journey I have been on that things can turn on a dime. So, like the bad stuff, I take the good stuff one day at a time.  But for the good stuff, I am grateful, for however long this lasts. I thank God for giving me this chance to come up for air in this journey.  

Monday, I resume treatments, and we'll see how the full load of all this impacts this fragile peace with asthma, cancer, and side effects. I "expect the best, but I am prepared for the worst."  I'll do my best but whatever hand God deals me, I'll play it and be grateful for these good times. 

And perhaps this is a truth I was to learn in all this, and perhaps there are more along the miles of this journey.

#36 Miles of the Journey Through the Rapids of Cancer- Whatever

 Cancer.  It seems to take the life out of you sometimes.  It is hard to hold the head up in hope with the future so uncertain.  Lots of things get put on the back burner of life now, if they even get put on the burner at all.  Motivation to do things for the future has to be primed like an old pump. It doesn't come easy like it did with life before cancer. You just don't live with that same level of hope. 

Sometimes I find I have spent the day and not done much at all. Cancer seems like living in a doctor's waiting room.  It takes my best effort not to get depressed and abandon hope altogether.   But, I must.  I must look up in faith through all I am going through, mentally and physically, and "run the race that is set before me."   

So, I get up from this chair and go do my indoor bike, like I have some event to train for.  And, I guess I do.  I need to do my best in this fight I am in, looking to God for the strength to go on, and go through whatever tomorrow.

#35 Miles of the Journey Through the Rapids of Cancer- Nevertheless

 It was a good day for my treatment and, in general, my journey through the rapids of cancer. People were especially nice. And things worked out to change to a GP in the office there.  

I am having trouble with my breathing under stress and am not sure if it is my asthma, the treatment, or something else.  But the visit went great, and I am happy we are doing all we can.  

At the same time, there is a certain amount of resignation in my spirit that I am not sure whether I like it or not.  There is so much I have had to leave behind and so much to accept that it is a fight not to let resignation take over.

It would be easy to just roll over and let yourself drift off to an effortless existence, and no longer fight the waves that keep coming in on me.  Doesn't it sound good and comforting? Just let go and let it be, rest, relax, and die to yourself, and ultimately, in fact. 

This whole ordeal so far has taught me that I am not really in control that much.  But, I have to remember my MRI tube commitment several months ago to give things to God.  So today,  I renew that pledge.  God, take it. You got it.  Win or lose, live or die, nevertheless.

#34 Miles of the Journey Through the Rapids of Cancer- Angry

 Tomorrow, another treatment, and today, I seem short of breath upon extended movement. I am not sure what that is, but it sort of comes and goes. One thing after another, day by day, it's like a cross-country race or something.  Am I ever going to get there?  

It is a down day, and all the hopes and declarations of purpose and intent are too far to reach for.   The information on this disease and subsequent treatment seems to indicate this is normal.  What's normal about any of this? Normal is going for a long run on mornings like this or a bike ride with my hair on fire.  A life that is an overdose of medications, doctor appointments, complemented with days of heaping helpings of mundane, and, oh yes, be careful not to do too much, now, is that normal? Nausea is one of the side effects of the treatment, and that is what I get from this modality.

The information on the psychological aspects of this journey (to who knows where) also says that anger is part of the process.  Well, if you can't tell already.  I am angry.  So I guess that makes me normal.  Hip, Hip, Hurray!

#33 Miles of the Journey Through the Rapids of Cancer- Such Are My Miles of the Journey

 And on I go, dealing with the medicines that are supposed to make me better, but first I must get worse. Side effects are not that bad, really nothing life-altering, but they must be dealt with regularly so as not to unleash really bad effects. Constant vigilance.  

Such is life.  Someone once wrote that "the price of freedom is constant vigilance."  So it is true with our health.  Multiple myeloma has no certain cause, but other aspects of our health do. We can control what we can to help our health along.  We won't be perfect, but we can keep pushing in a healthier direction for our lives.

Such is also true for our spiritual health. In this battle, I am in, it is my spiritual health that I seem to rely upon the most.  There are no negative side effects to prayer.  There is no downside in being close to God. There is no shame in surrendering, doing your best, and leaving the outcome to God.  Such are my miles of the journey. 

#32 Miles of the Journey Through the Rapids of Cancer- All Will Be Well

 

There come times in this quest for health when depression has a go at you.  It usually starts when a lot of negativity gets into your circle of concern.  You have to watch other people's attitudes more closely with this, and if things get too negative in the interchange, maybe it would be best not to go into it too deeply.  

It is amazing how fragile and vulnerable one can become to negative influences and negative influencers.  On a good day, it is not always easy to keep positive, but on not-so-good days, it is really a chore.  Sometimes on these days, it might be better to be alone or get busy doing something physical. 

So this journey through the rapids of cancer is a lot about learning to cope, finding out what works and what doesn't. 

I find that if I don't verbalize the struggle, I don't get it air and it seems easier to deal with.  But, when the darkness comes, I go to the Light and pray, and try to get as close to God as I can..  

Two things generally happen.  I start out of the hole I fell into, and I feel closer to God, which lifts my spirits.  I just have to remember that win or lose, live or die, God's got this, and in His hands all will be well.