Home!

I'm home with a new respect for anyone who has ever had to navigate with crutches or a walker. I wanted to be cool and use crutches, but my family convinced me that with my track record for clumsiness, a hose strapped to my leg, and a pump hanging at my side, I'd better take the walker.  

Last night, I made the pilgrimage upstairs, moving my butt from step to step with one leg.  When I got to the top, there was a problem.  Even with Pat in front of me and Spencer holding the walker behind me, it was really scary to stand up on one leg at the top of the steps.  I ended up doing a twisted roll onto the landing and then getting up because I was too chicken.  

It was worth it to get upstairs and sleep in my own bed.  We have had split reclining mattresses for years.  Pat uses his remote control all the time, but my batteries were long dead because I prefer propping up with pillows.  Well, being able to have the mattress lift up my foot was so cozy.  I slept so well, and then just lazed in bed snuggling with General and Iris this morning. 

Backpacks are great too... I have all my supplies strapped on my back as I move from one area of the house to another.  Works out great. 

I won't post wound pics here, but I've texted them to some who wanted to see it.  The hole in my leg is so perfectly oval that it almost looks like a sticker on the front of my leg in the photo.  When you see the photo, it seems miraculous that I'm not in pain.  Pretty sure it's partially an answer to prayer and partially that the negative pressure wound therapy pump is designed to reduce pain and promote tissue growth.  It's an incredible invention that I am thanking God for!  

I got a call from the surgeon who will do the next surgery this morning.  He is hoping that the pathology reports will be in by the end of the weekend.  He plans to operate on Monday, but if the reports aren't in, he plans for Tuesday at the latest.  Please pray that everything is good on the reports so we can go ahead and get this leg on the mend  

Yesterday, when I was reminded that I'd have to have regular chest scans, possibly for the rest of my life, some fear crept in.  The lungs are where this cancer moves next a good percentage of the time.   I've had COVID three, possibly four times now, and there is some research showing that SARS-CoV-2 can be linked to cancer since it alters tumor-suppressing pathways and triggers inflammation.  After the resident doctor left, I started researching synovial sarcoma once AGAIN.  Then I happened to click on Facebook in the middle of my research and saw a post from my nephew Matthew.  "Don't overthink.  Just pray." 

I closed my research tabs and prayed.  Immediately, I had that peace again.  God is sovereign.  He has always had my future in His hands.  Though cancer was a shock to me, it was not to Him.  This body is an instrument meant to bring Him glory and to be used for my eternal good -- and hopefully others' eternal good as well.  I love the idea that this bump in the road is refining me as a person, growing me in grace and faith, and beautifying my soul.  Maybe even opening doors for a new way of life that's simpler, more healthy, and more freeing.  

Please keep the prayers coming!  It's been a tremendous comfort knowing that you all are helping me fight this battle.  So very grateful!