Sunday, September 09, 2007
Planning for Treatment
Recent Progress. Since my surgery for colon cancer on August 12, my focus has been on recovery. The goal has been restoration of health and strength in order to proceed with subsequent cancer treatment. I’ve gained back part of the weight I’ve lost and have been able to do a couple of short walks each day to get some exercise. My appetite and level of stamina has improved. But I still need a lot of rest.
Report on the Cancer. On Tuesday, Dianne and I met with the surgeon who removed the tumor from my colon. We received the news that the cancer is “stage 4”, or spread outside the colon. We also reviewed the lab report which showed that, fortunately, the cancer cells are of a slower growing type. I am now in the process of referral to an oncologist (a cancer doctor) at the Grand River Cancer Centre in Kitchener where I will begin chemotherapy in the near future. I am facing a serious fight to beat this, but am hopeful to someday be a cancer survivor!
Cultivating Hope. In the last couple of weeks, there have been a number of things that have nourished a positive outlook toward the future …
Reading Lance Armstrong’s biography, “It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life.”
A continuing deluge of cards, e-mails, calls, meals, and short visits that have expressed love, best wishes, and prayers for recovery.
Opportunity to take a couple of walks per day with family members and close friends in the sunshine and fresh air.
Help with many practical matters medical, financial, and logistical from family, our home church, and our ministry colleagues from both Outreach Canada and Christian Horizons.
I admitted yesterday to my family doctor that my emotional “default setting” is optimism and joked that, like a lot of guys, I usually think that I’m invincible. She humorously agreed, “Some types of delusional thinking are not harmful.” As a small act of defiance against the illness, I took the next of a series of travel shots that I had started earlier in the year. After all, I may be well enough to travel internationally in 2008 …
What’s Next? I’m looking forward to …
Continuing to get stronger for the treatments ahead.
A special gathering (September 10) to pray for me planned by the leadership of our home church.
Meeting with the oncologist within the next two weeks to make decisions about the treatment plan.
Getting started on chemotherapy.
Contact? I still don’t have the energy to respond to all the voice mail or other messages. Thanks for your patience while I’m getting back on my feet. I still need lots of rest. But I am starting to make contacts and hope to talk with many of you in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, you can always drop me a line at ggibson@outreach.ca.
Comments:
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Glenn, you and Dianne are in our prayers and thoughts. Don'e ever worry about getting back to people...just use all your energy in your recovery!
Keep resting.
Keep resting.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Poem lyrics of Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost.
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Be encouraged in your JOURNEY... Miles yet to go, and I'd be delighted to walk and stop with you.
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Poem lyrics of Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost.
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Be encouraged in your JOURNEY... Miles yet to go, and I'd be delighted to walk and stop with you.
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