Oh So Busy

We had originally planned to take a long weekend off. Steve is a pastor and works weekends, so we never have one to ourselves. We planned to go to a Tony Bennett concert that I had won free tickets to. That performance was cancelled and the phone call from my doctor about the mass in my gut kind of squelched things a bit. I spent the evening calling my family and letting them know what was going on instead.

We had planned to go to Universal Studios on Saturday...we went to the Getty Center instead. It was hot outside and freezing inside, especially in the painting exhibits. The central garden was in full bloom and was beautiful. That evening my daughter and her kids came over and we spent some time with them.

Sunday, we decided to visit a church in Oak View. My daughter opted to stay in Ventura where it was cooler. A few miles into the drive, we got a call...her car was at the mall (she had to pick up a present for a birthday party that afternoon) and the key would not turn. We couldn't leave her and the three kids stranded, so we turned around. She had a blister from trying the key so often. Steve and I both tried too. I was giving up and taking the key out of the ignition when it started up. Another change of plans; we all went to church in Ventura. After church, the car failed to start again. Call AAA to the rescue...quick run next door to Chipotle...picnic on the church lawn...wait for the locksmith...car fixed...home to take a nap...kids off to the party. Still feeling the need for some "us" time. We took ourselves to a seaside park, set up chairs, pulled out the books, and enjoyed the ocean breeze.

It was harder to get my focus at work Monday than I thought it would be. I had several calls to the doctor to make to arrange for a referral to a gynecologist to consult about the mass. Then I got a phone call from my son, "Mom, are you at work? Do you want to be? Want to come see your new granddaughter?" His wife had just delivered at 4:40 that morning. A healthy baby girl, Keira Rose at 6lb 8oz and 18in long. Now I was rushing to finish up as much work as possible so I could take a half day off and drive to Long Beach. I am blessed to work in a place that is also a ministry. My department holds a prayer meeting every Monday morning. I shared my happy news and my medical trials with them and it felt so good to be surrounded by my work family as they prayed for me.

On the way to the hospital, I got a call from my doctor to clarify my test results and start to get a referral for the next doctor I had to see. We made it to Long Beach and spent two hours visiting our 5th grandchild. The most perfect, lovely little girl ever. With a stop for dinner, it took four hours to get home. I was exhausted, but at least I got to focus on Keira and not myself for a few hours. It's amazing how much your heart can expand to hold another person. I am so blessed with my family.

I think I was running on pure adrenaline Tuesday. There was so much work to do and I now had two more doctor's appointments to go to. I had the wrap taken off my thumb; one stitch to remove next week. I got a same day appointment to the gynecologist. (The doctor's opinion of cancer or no cancer stands at two for no and one for yes, I like the way the vote is heading) Then I had to go for more blood work.

Today was the colonoscopy. I don't understand why medical science can't create a better tasting prep solution. I spent last night and this morning gagging the stuff down thinking, "there has to be a better way." Today's procedure brings me to 14 medical visits this month. Next Tuesday's visit with the surgeon will determine the next course of action. Whether they decide I need surgery for the diverticulitis or not, I will still have to be opened up to remove and biopsy the mass.

The sermon on Sunday had a couple of points that resonated with me. First, the pastor said we all made a series of decisions that had brought us there that morning. I felt all the decisions had been made for me and I was being carried along in a direction not of my own choosing. But, because God is the one who is in control, that is not a bad thing. The other thing that struck me was an illustration about the uncertainty of death. As a believer, the only thing I need to know is; whatever door God leads me through, whether trials, health, or death; He is waiting for me on the other side of that door to help me through it and care for me.