Like Snowflakes Every Journey is Unique

Finally had the colonoscopy done.  The actual procedure was not as bad as the prep. I felt like I was going into surgery again. My appointment was set early in the morning, so I had my granddaughter with me. My husband was going to drop me off and then take her to school.  This seemed to be a problem with the hospital because they would not start the procedure without him being there. The good thing was that I had to answer a lot of questions and change into my fancy hospital gown, which gave him time to return.  He couldn't even wait in the parking lot.  He had to stay in the area the entire time. Apparently, they have had problems with the patients' drivers not being available when the patients were ready to go home.  The nurse came in and started an IV, which, of course, caused some discomfort. I still have a bruise and pain in my hand from the insertion of the IV. The anesthesiologist came in to notify me of the anesthesia he would be administering. The doctor performing the colonoscopy spoke with me, and to my surprise, it was my GI doctor. It felt as if I was semi-conscious because I could hear voices talking. Perhaps it was the anesthesia wearing off. My doctor let me know they found a small polyp and removed it.  He said everything else looked good and did not see any concern about the polyp being cancerous. They will consult with me in about two weeks.  He also let me know some other good news.  The MRI of my pancreas was also good.  This has been so encouraging for me and a relief.

 Learning about cancer has been an interesting subject for me. It is also encouraging to know the survival rate is very high if cancer is detected in the early stages. I am also surprised at the types and subtypes of cancer that exist.  I enjoy hearing the stories of cancer patients and survivors.  I believe we can all learn something from their stories. Each of us has a story to tell, and even though we may have the same type of cancer, the treatment for each individual is different. To my own surprise, I didn't need to go through radiation treatment or chemotherapy before or after my surgery.  I could never imagine or understand the fear they must feel when going through radiation therapy or chemotherapy.  What a joyous feeling they must feel when they can ring the bell after cancer treatment is completed, marking the end of a difficult journey and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.  It is true that when you are diagnosed with cancer, your life changes, and your priorities change. When we are going through cancer and cancer treatment, it's important to also remember to love and care for each other.  It is also true that some of us may feel isolated from our families and friends because they don't know how to react to us when we are diagnosed with cancer.  I believe many people still believe cancer is a death sentence, and we need to help people become more aware of the survival rate of cancer patients today.

I believe our faith in God is also important as we walk through this life.  The hope we have in Christ Jesus.  Maintaining a positive attitude also helps strengthen our immune system, reduces stress, improves our relationships, and enhances mental well-being. As stated in Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Scarlett