Traffic jam

 

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“Hurry up and wait.” You know it. You hate it. Me too.

It looked like after the first visit to the oncologist, Things Would Happen. But, no. I expected to get a PET scan the same week. I spent the better part of last week trying to raise the nuclear medicine lab on the phone. When they finally got back to me, the next available appointment was two weeks away — a week and a half after my next doctor visit. I was hoping that (as the doctor suggested) we could finalize a diagnosis this coming week and start treatment a few days later. That’s not likely to happen. Without the PET scan, we don’t know how far the lymphoma has advanced and thus cannot finalize a treatment plan.

So, that’s where we are. In the meantime, I’ve experienced more instances of shortness of breath after exertion, and abdominal pressure after eating or exercising. I don’t know the cause, but rest and eating light meals helps the symptoms somewhat. All of this is very worrisome to Roslyn and I. We are trying to remain calm and not worry too much, but it weighs heavily on our minds.

This is not a journey we would want to take without such meaningful support. Our faith in God and our relationship with Jesus Christ are priceless. We lean on our trust in God and his benevolence for all his children, whether those children know him or not. We know he cares for us, and we see the evidence in the mercies he bestows on us each day, such as the hope and comfort from our friends and family that have previously suffered through such experiences and prevailed. These people have helped us greatly. Also, we are buoyed by prayers, kind words and hands-on action of our family, friends and coworkers.

When we see the doctor again this coming week, we hope to see a way forward through this traffic. We knew when we started that this process was not going to be simple or pretty. What we did not expect was the beauty we see in the many kindnesses from around us.