February 19, 2019 - February 19, 2021
What a two-year journey it has been
Since that fateful day when I visited my Primary Care Physician
Thinking I was merely battling with my every other year bout with pneumonia
To discovering a "circular mass" that ended up being malignant pleural mesothelioma!
What a two-year journey...
Being deemed incurable by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Going through eight months of an incredibly strict and challenging alternative program
Beginning the traditional route of chemo and immunotherapy treatment in January 2020
With a "Hail Mary" prognosis of it being successful
Which unexpectedly brought with it a variety of extras such as:
Dying and being brought back to the land of the living by CPR
Shingles
Atrial Flutter requiring a cardioversion
Gallbladder surgery - soon to be revealed!
And so this past Friday was to be a day of hilarious rejoicing and remembering
Celebrating God's grace in lengthening my life to two years and counting
When the prognosis was far less hopeful.
What a journey it has been
Which you can recount by reading
All the previous 80 blog posts
If you are so inclined and needing something to help you fall asleep some night!
BUT...
Instead I was at St. Michael's Medical Center (aka Harrison Hospital)
Awaiting gallbladder surgery
Which happened yesterday, Saturday, February 20, 2021.
The adventure continues!!
This particular mini-adventure began on Thursday, February 18, 2021.
As had been increasingly the case for many days
I was in a lot of pain - particularly abdominal pain
That was becoming excruciating pain
Enough so that Cindy convinced me to go to the Emergency Room
Which we were able to accomplish
With Cindy canceling her Olympic College classes for the day
And us being able to drive up our steep Tahuya driveway with its 18 inches of snow!
I had managed to avoid visiting the new Silverdale hospital
But avoid it I was no longer able to do.
After many tests it was revealed that my abdominal pain was a bad gallbladder.
Who would have guessed the variety of mini-adventures
That would become a part of my cancer journey!
The surgery was initially scheduled for Friday
But was delayed until I underwent a heart evaluation
Since the latest CT scan newly revealed fluid in the area surrounding the heart.
More on this later...
The doctors were comfortable that my heart could handle the operation
And so it happened yesterday, Saturday
And, as you probably guessed, since I am writing this blog on Sunday
I did survive the operation!
And, it was successful
Meaning that I am now minus a troublesome gallbladder
That has been making my life miserable for who knows how long!
It will be interesting to discover over the next days and weeks
Just how much of my pain and weakness has been due to that little bugger.
A wonderful side note to my hospital adventure
Was the number of great conversations
That popped up regarding The Coffee Oasis and my love for Jesus.
God certainly does "cause all things to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose"
Even trouble-making gallbladders!
It is certainly wonderful to be home with Cindy
After being separated for nearly two days throughout the ordeal
Due to hospital COVID restrictions not allowing visitors in hospital rooms!
That was tough...
I guess no more greasy hamburgers soaked in grease and then fried in more grease!
So...I think that brings things up-to-date with my cancer journey
So...until next time:
Remember that God is good
Eat less grease and fat
Love well your family, friends and strangers
Blessings,
Dave
