Personal Journey Entry # 41

The doctors have been amazed at how well I have responded to both radiation and chemotherapy, but they warned me it could hit me at any time. This week was five radiation sessions and two chemo infusions, and I think it was Wednesday morning when their warnings came to fruition. Everything hurt at once: arms and legs (it is called Heavy Limbs), fingertips (touch anything cold and it feels like you are sticking your fingers into the fire), stomach, chest, and throat. It may be easier to say what feels good! The feeling of choking is the worst. Even the tiniest morsel seems enough to clog my esophagus, and there is nothing to do but wait until it passes through.

It seems foolish and petty to be mentioning the effects, let alone complaining about them. I watch the line of patients at both clinics, and I ask myself why I have been spared the pain and suffering surrounding me. God has been watching over me since day one, and I genuinely feel he has a plan for me after this ordeal is done. He has guided me through the process, put me in front of the right people, and given me a partner to team with, and I can feel it too, coming to fruition very soon.

We are so excited about Monday when our Imerman Angels, Dave and Kathy, are coming to Bear Pond for a visit. We have twenty of our Bear Pond Angels coming to a BBQ, where we will celebrate life. I think there are at least eight in the group who are cancer survivors. We will come together for some great food and friendship, but more importantly, to thank God above who has shown infinite grace and love upon our group.

The week ahead should be easier to navigate. Four more trips to Scarborough for radiation, then ring the bell, and then close out the summer with a long Labor Day Weekend. Even with the hundred-mile daily trips for treatment, it has been a glorious summer. Our Bear Pond crew is tighter than ever, and everyone was anxious to help Shay and me along the way. We may never be able to pay back all the favors, but we will certainly pay them forward.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope this weekend surrounds you with good thoughts, wonderful people, and that you take a moment to just look around you, and thank God for this incredible life we have.

God Bless, Ray