The Lord is my Shepard

Currently I'm doing a home Bible Study.  The title is Walking with God  (Learning discipleship in the Psalms) by Richard D. Phillips.  Today I read "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  Isaiah 43:2 & 3"  

Next month it will be two years since I started this health/illness marathon.  I am feeling better than I have since it all began.  I still tire following a half day of being busy but that's a vast improvement.  Yesterday I accompanied Hampton on a routine visit to his cardiologist.  As he walked into the room he asked me how I am.  I explained that my pancreatic cancer is stable and my right knee has been revised and I can walk, using a cane.  (Revision is replacement of an earlier prosthesis)  The technician had done vitals and an EKG on Hampton.  The cardiologist commented that all his readings are good.  He shook Hampton's hand then came to me and said "You get a hug!"  He was very pleased with both of us.

We're preparing for Christmas with a brighter outlook than last year.   May God grant you  peace and happiness during this Advent Season and throughout 2012.

MERRY CHRISTMAS  

Barbara

Orthopedist's Words

Today, December 1, 2011, I had an appointment with my orthopedic doctor.  As I entered the exam room he said "You're using a cane.  A cane."  I replied yes I am.  He came into the examining room and said "First, Thank you for the recognition letter you sent to the hospital.  That was a very nice thing for you to do."   I told him I appreciated his efforts in getting me back on my feet AGAIN.  "Next, how are you?"  I said that I'm doing well.  "How much pain do you have?"  I replied I have no pain.  "You have no pain, right?"  I reiterated, I have no pain.  "Aren't you tired of therapy?"  I answered YES.  "I think you should quit going to therapy.  I do not recommend you have any more therapy."  I said that I have an appointment tomorrow.  First he replied "Cancel it."  Next he said that I should go to it and tell the therapist that I am done--well cooked.  I said I'll cancel future appointments.  Dr. said "Good, I won't approve any more.  Come back to see me in 4 months."

This is very good news.  I stopped at the therapy office to cancel further appointments.   My former therapist (who's now director for 2 offices) was there.  She'd not been there any time I'd had therapy.  She was amazed at how well I'm doing.  She said I looked good.  She said my color is exceptionally good.  She'd seen me when I first started having knee problems.  I was "kinda gray" back then.

I am feeling much better.  I'm still weak, due to anesthesia and chemotherapy.  It takes a LONG time to get each out of your system.  I have requested a lot from my body in the last 20 months, since my pancreatic cancer diagnosis, not to mention the 4 months prior to that when I had the back inflammation.  I haven't needed chemo for a year - November, 2010 to November, 2011.  I can and do eat very well, having lost 70 lbs. during treatment for cancer.

"We might never be awakened to the intelligence of the Creator in His creation unless we also experience 
some suffering in this life."       James P. Gills, MD

Prayerfully, Mary Barbara Hoge