Today marked the one year anniversary of finding Rex' cancer. In some ways, it seems like this year has flown by, but in other ways, I think we have experienced more this past year than I have experienced in many years of my life. I know that there has been growth in our lives; it is easier to see this growth in Rex than myself obviously, but I know that I have grown if nothing else than I know my thought processes are different about what is important and what's not so important.
The last few months have been marked with intermittent to around the clock pain for Rex. It first started in October and was occasional. It progressed to a daily pain through the holidays. He has been combating it with pain pills, some over the counter and some prescription. It has been somewhat discouraging as his pain has been very severe at times. The bad thing about having cancer is that you assume everything is associated with the disease; it really doesn't leave an open mind to other issues. I have found that this thought process carries over in the medical field, as well. Doctors also usually treat pains as probably cancer related once you have the "diagnosis."
We have been praying about what to do about this pain. Even though we have been given very little hope with chemo (not that it is anything fun to consider in the first place), we have found ourselves doubting what we have thought we are to do prior to this pain; we've found ourselves asking if Rex should take chemo after all. It's really just panic talk. It is sometimes hard to think clearly in the midst of trials.
One of the main reasons that we have thought that it was related to Rex' cancer is because of the location of the pain. It is through the area where his affected adrenal gland is and also his liver area. However, we just realized tonight that it is also the area affected with gall bladder disease or attacks. I personally believe that this is exactly what his pain is coming from. I feel in my heart that this pain he has been having is related to his gall bladder and not the adrenal gland. We finally figured out that it hits him most of the time after he eats; the middle of the night attacks were the ones throwing us off about this. We also know that his healthy eating went downhill to a certain degree once we got heavily involved in The Promise (play at our church). And, with him having been pretty strict up to that point, it probably didn't take much to throw his gall bladder for a loop. We also know that his white blood cell count in his November blood panel showed elevated levels; this is consistent with gall bladder disease, as well. We didn't put all of these pieces together until tonight. Of course, I have no medical confirmation that this is his gall bladder acting up, but that will come soon enough as Rex has a dr. appt. on Tuesday so that we can explore this option.
Natural treatments for gall bladder issues include drinking lemon juice with extra virgin olive oil. Mighty tasty concoction I'll say! Juice fasts of carrots and apples help this process along. So, Rex is enjoying this wonderful mixture in the meantime to see if he has any relief.
Our pastor has encouraged us over the years to ask God for a verse each year to mark that year. This year Rex believes that our verse is Ephesians 3:20.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
I usually try to set at least one specific goal each year and try to encourage our children to set goal(s) whether they be as simple as making their bed everyday or no whining. This year as I thought about what goal or goals I would like to set for myself, I really just didn't have any great things come to mind. I think I am asking God for a year of miracles for us. I think the goal that comes to mind the most for me is just to embrace each day to the fullest. Carpe diem! This is not a specific goal unlike my usual goals. Nevertheless, it is a goal.
I remember last year as the year was getting ready to turn over to 2006, Rex and I sat down one afternoon and just talked for several hours about our desires and goals for 2006. We wrote them down, prayed over them, and felt really good about them. Little did we know that just a few days later we were going to face the biggest trial we had ever faced. I am so glad we had that time together that afternoon. It was unpolluted and sincere. I think that it had a huge impact even on how we handled the news of Rex' cancer.
I hope that you make it a common practice to do goal setting and achieving. It doesn't have to be a once a year thing. Some goals may only take a few months to master, so you can set new ones mid-year. My biggest thing about setting goals is that I try to be realistic about them and not set something unachievable. As we grow and mature as people and as Christians, our goals can be set higher to coincide with our maturity.
2007 is a new year! We are looking forward to God doing "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think."
Where does God find you in 2007?
Donna Meadows
