#2 Itinerary

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." — Ecclesiastes 3:3

Soon I'll be embarking on a journey to healing from Stage 2, T3 rectal cancer. I've got my ticket ...

The metaphor for my journey is a cruise ... there will be some smooth sailing, but I can also expect some rough seas and storms ahead.

Here's the itinerary as I know it, subject to changes as they arise:

• Medi-port installation: February 19, 2016
• Boarding date: February 29, 2016 - Leap day. How appropriate!
• Five and a half weeks of radiation - five minutes a day, 9am, Monday - Friday
• Five and a half weeks of chemotherapy - via port and pump, 24/7, continuous low dose
  (radiation and chemotherapy to shrink tumor and stop potential spread)
• Ten weeks healing ... tumor should continue to shrink during this time
• ~ July - Surgery to remove tumor & install ileostomy - around 5 days in hospital
• A month of recovery before starting
• Chemotherapy every 2 weeks, 8 sessions
• Lots of follow-up appointments for 2-5 years

How am I doing right now? Apart from having cancer, I am in great health, and I feel strong. God has my future planned, so I am hope-full. And I am full of gratitude for, and overwhelmed by, the abundant expressions of love, support, and encouragement I have received. 

Did I mention I got my first tattoo today? Yeah, three dots as reference points for aiming the radiation treatments in the right place. I know, I'm a rebel ;)

Life goes on, and I plan on living it as normally as possible, and calling on help when needed (most likely surgery time and beyond). 

I am ready for the journey ahead! 

"And we know that in all things God works together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." — Romans 8:28


Part I: http://atr-sp.blogspot.com/2016/02/it-is-what-it-is.html