I sat in the waiting room in the Oncology and Hematology Center at the Cancer Institute while waiting to see my oncologist for the first time at his office (the new patient visits are done on a separate floor). I looked around, the folks waiting were "regulars" by definition. People were discussing chemotherapy treatments, medications, pains, surgeries, and doctors all around me. Some were simply visitors, indicated by bright yellow tags that say "visitor" pinned to their outerwear. Some, like me, were patients. You literally take a number and wait for them to call your name, then review your paperwork, and you sit back down to wait to be called back to see the doctor. Everyone seemed much older than me. However, one younger guy - probably in his late 20's, sat down a chair away from me. He had crutches, was bald, wearing sweats, and was cracking jokes with the nurses. His name was Brandon.
"They usually come through that door," he said pointing to one of the large wooden doors where nurses sailed in and out, escorting patients back. I said thanks, and I asked, "how long have you been coming here?" (Yep, I asked, I know.....) He went on to explain he had been diagnosed in March and had been coming to the WHC ever since. He had stage 4 sarcoma, had one foot amputated due to the cancer, and awaiting two lung surgeries. His attitude was quite remarkable. He said support from friends and family have made all the difference in the world in wanting to fight, and to keep fighting hard. "So have you been in Infusion yet? That's where they start poking you for blood." I hadn't been. We joked a bit about college football, talked a bit about the blessings in our lives, the shock of finding out at a young age, and then he was called back to meet with his doctor. So this is the life of a cancer patient. Never thought I'd be experiencing it at my age, but God is not surprised.
As an update, the nurse was unable to do the needle aspiration biopsy yesterday. She did an ultrasound and could not find a lymph node to puncture. I had no idea what this meant - was it good? Was it bad? I do have lymph nodes, right? Therefore, we will not know if any cancer has spread until Friday during the surgery. However, this is STILL good news. My oncologist said today that if my lymph nodes were swollen, it would have shown up on the ultrasound. This could be very good news, not sure yet. On Friday, just before the surgery they are doing another biopsy with radioactive dye to determine if there has been any spreading. The oncologist also ordered blood testing today, so I finished my day in Infusion with them drawing a few tubes of blood, ironically.
The oncologist also said he plans on doing a number of scans and imaging following my surgery on Friday, and that he would see me after surgery. He also mentioned that I'm still a candidate for the two treatment options of medication, one starts with an A and one starts with an I. (I can't remember their names) I'd be taking one of them for a year, with follow up visits with the oncologist. Furthermore, I have check-in appointments with the oncological dermatologist every three months for the next two years.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. - Romans 5:3-5, NIV
I have hope in Christ, and that Christ is working this all out for His good and pleasing purpose. I also have hope that perseverance in these circumstances does produce character like that of Christ. His love never fails, and I can walk in confidence that God loves me, He loves each person in the waiting room, He loves Brandon, and He loves you. He brings good out of every situation, none of it is a surprise to Him. Praise the Lord for each step He gives us, each breath He blesses us with, and each day we get to live for Him. While at the end of today, I'm plenty exhausted and a lot stays on my mind, I'm so thankful for God's love and the purpose He has for each of us. Each day is truly a gift, a unique gift in time.
Please pray for Brandon, and all the others who come and go in the oncology waiting room. Pray the God would lift them up, bring them encouragement, reveal His love, and help them to feel they are not alone.
"They usually come through that door," he said pointing to one of the large wooden doors where nurses sailed in and out, escorting patients back. I said thanks, and I asked, "how long have you been coming here?" (Yep, I asked, I know.....) He went on to explain he had been diagnosed in March and had been coming to the WHC ever since. He had stage 4 sarcoma, had one foot amputated due to the cancer, and awaiting two lung surgeries. His attitude was quite remarkable. He said support from friends and family have made all the difference in the world in wanting to fight, and to keep fighting hard. "So have you been in Infusion yet? That's where they start poking you for blood." I hadn't been. We joked a bit about college football, talked a bit about the blessings in our lives, the shock of finding out at a young age, and then he was called back to meet with his doctor. So this is the life of a cancer patient. Never thought I'd be experiencing it at my age, but God is not surprised.
As an update, the nurse was unable to do the needle aspiration biopsy yesterday. She did an ultrasound and could not find a lymph node to puncture. I had no idea what this meant - was it good? Was it bad? I do have lymph nodes, right? Therefore, we will not know if any cancer has spread until Friday during the surgery. However, this is STILL good news. My oncologist said today that if my lymph nodes were swollen, it would have shown up on the ultrasound. This could be very good news, not sure yet. On Friday, just before the surgery they are doing another biopsy with radioactive dye to determine if there has been any spreading. The oncologist also ordered blood testing today, so I finished my day in Infusion with them drawing a few tubes of blood, ironically.
The oncologist also said he plans on doing a number of scans and imaging following my surgery on Friday, and that he would see me after surgery. He also mentioned that I'm still a candidate for the two treatment options of medication, one starts with an A and one starts with an I. (I can't remember their names) I'd be taking one of them for a year, with follow up visits with the oncologist. Furthermore, I have check-in appointments with the oncological dermatologist every three months for the next two years.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. - Romans 5:3-5, NIV
I have hope in Christ, and that Christ is working this all out for His good and pleasing purpose. I also have hope that perseverance in these circumstances does produce character like that of Christ. His love never fails, and I can walk in confidence that God loves me, He loves each person in the waiting room, He loves Brandon, and He loves you. He brings good out of every situation, none of it is a surprise to Him. Praise the Lord for each step He gives us, each breath He blesses us with, and each day we get to live for Him. While at the end of today, I'm plenty exhausted and a lot stays on my mind, I'm so thankful for God's love and the purpose He has for each of us. Each day is truly a gift, a unique gift in time.
Please pray for Brandon, and all the others who come and go in the oncology waiting room. Pray the God would lift them up, bring them encouragement, reveal His love, and help them to feel they are not alone.
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