Gratitude Moments #6
April 3, 2009
I was discharged from the surgery on March 22. An appointment was made to visit the doctor in two weeks. During these two weeks, I recorded the amount of fluid collected from the drainage into the two bottles. One bottle was getting less and less fluid, but the one with the needle inserted to my left thigh had the same amount of fluid every day. The fluid just didn’t circulate to my upper body. The only outlet was through the drainage.
At the meantime, I had a lot of pain on my left abdomen and left leg. The numbness went from the upper left thigh to below the knee.
The doctor’s instruction was to lay flat and elevate the legs. By doing so, it would help to reduce the swelling. He also asked me to stay “active” as much as I could, so I did little things here and there and walked around the house to keep my left leg awake.
After getting up for an hour or so, my leg’s swelling increased. It was so bad that I couldn’t bend my knee. Our bedroom is upstairs. I wasn’t able to alternate my feet when going up and down. I could only make my right leg do all the work and dragged my straight left leg without bending. When I tried to sit and elevate both legs, only the right leg could move to the elevating position, the left leg needed to be lifted to the position.
During my doctor’s visit, one draining tube was removed. The other one remained because the draining was still active. Two more weeks later, the draining did not decrease, but the doctor removed the second tube anyway. His instruction was to massage the leg to reroute the flow of the fluid.
I was praying all the time and kept a grateful spirit. Many cards, emails of comforting messages made me feel that I was not alone in this trial. Family and friends were by my side, they were literally carrying me through every step of the way. One person sent me an email saying, “You may not know me, but I am praying for you.”
I had never felt so weak physically all my life. There was no complaint about my pain, or my suffering. I was grateful to be alive. Our friend Dr. John Sailhamer was a Bible scholar, fluent in Hebrew and Greek. He wrote many books and Bible commentary. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease the same time I was diagnosed with cancer. He was in the early stage of disease when I went through my bio-chemotherapy. He translated Psalm 1 directly from Hebrew and hand wrote it for me. His kindness touched me so much. I read his translation of Psalm 1 every day, and meditated on one word a day. It gave me the assurance of God’s perfect plan for me.
The doctor gave me six weeks to rest until the third cycle of bio-chemotherapy. During these six weeks, my only job was to get strong enough for the next treatment. I’m blessed with a husband who took good care of me, did all the chores and cooking.
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What a journey. I hope you continue to heal and I am so glad your husband has been there right with you!
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Yes, I’m glad he has been supportive till this days because I need daily maintenance of my legs and he is good to help get the swelling down. Other than that I’m healthy. I’ve seen couple didn’t make it because one partner has serious illness!!
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So glad you are healthy now! And, may God bless you so that it stays that way for a long time to come! 🙂
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Thank you for your kind thoughts and words!
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My wife s now cancer-free for 12 years, but we know the struggle! Thank you for sharing your overcoming attitude and faith in Christ. my blog is http://www.jesuschristexalted.com if you like to look at it.
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Thank you for sharing. I’ll look at your blog this evening!!
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You have had some tough times. Is it over now?
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Thank you Nigel. Most part is over, cancer free for seven years. Still have side effect of swelling leg that need maintenance every day – elevating, massaging… feet still suffer from nerve damage and have numbness and tingling. But I’m alive, so I’m grateful.
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I was in a similar situation with recovering from cancer surgery 17 years ago. My husband was a real support as well as a “nurse” with changing dressings etc. Faith got me through as I think it did for you too. I am grateful every day to find that I am still here and healthy.
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I’m glad to hear that you’re healthy. God still performs miracles today. Our faith in Him help us to go through it easier. So glad to h
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I’m glad to hear that you’re healthy. God still performs miracles today. Our faith in Him help us to go through it easier. So glad to know that your husband was so supportive and be your nurse. The hard time makes your bonding stronger. After each chemo, I looked terrible, but my husband said, I don’t remember. You are the same to me because I love you! It mad me cry, but I said it was happy tears!
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Thank you for sharing your journey; my partner was there for me as well and your words have made me smile as I remember this. I’m so happy to read that you are well and continue to heal.
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Thank you for cheering! I’m patient. I have hope that it will heal in 5+ years!!
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Good for you, I wish you all the best!
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Thank you for your kind words. I’m encouraged by precious people like you!
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Thank you for your very touching words…
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You’re welcome! Enjoy the rest of the day!
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That sounds very difficult. I had a jaw surgery last summer and couldn’t do much at all by myself the first week. My family had to take so much care of me and I was blessed to have them and the prayers of everyone in my community (I healed pretty quickly. Even the surgeon was surprised.)
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I’m so glad to hear that you healed quickly. Family and community support is so important and comforting. The more positive you feel, and healthier prior to the surgery, the quicker it heals!
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Exactly!
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Wishing you a healthy 2017 all year long!
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Thank you!
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You’re welcome!!
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I have a curiosity, is it a personal story? I do not know if the translation is correct. That’s why I have that doubt.
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It’s my personal story. I had cancer, went through 6 months chemo, 2 surgeries, 1 month radiation in 2009. I still have side effect.
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That is quite a story and how are you now, you look beautiful 🌹
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My left leg is still swollen due to gravity. It become daily maintenance! I still have to lay in bed massage my leg every night. Otherwise, the discomfort keeps me from falling asleep! Thank you fro asking!
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I wish you healing for you have such a lovely soul 🌹
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Thank you a million! I had nerve damage of my leg and feet but the neurologist said the roots of the verve were not dead. Seven years later, I could feel that it’s healing little by little! 🙂 I keep active.
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Good, you are a fighter. Keep smiling ✨
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You’re exactly right. My motivation to fight is my husband and daughter. When I see them, I smile! Of course, my ultimate strength is from God!
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There is no one stronger than God. ✨😀
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That’s right. I’m so glad to have met you!!
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And I you 🌹
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Thanks! 🙂
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