During the last seven months, I have chatted with several people who have had either an illeostomy or a colostomy. All reports have been that the worst is over and that the reversal is not that bad. I have heard my surgeon say that, but he also told me that the test he “preformed” in his office would not be bad. He lied. I threw up three times before they wheeled me to a car in a wheel chair! Not that I don’t believe the doctor, but I do put more credence in what people say that have actually had this procedure! I am counting on them telling me the truth and they say it will not be bad.
So, Monday, January 30, is the day. I am anxious to get it over with and get back to my somewhat normal life, even though my sister says that normal is just a setting on the dryer and has nothing to do with me! She is probably right.
As I end this update and begin to prepare for surgery, I want to mention something that has been very helpful during my journey this last year. Many years ago when I was driving back and forth from Greer to WSPA-TV in Spartanburg to host a daily TV show, I listened to Dr. Billy Graham’s radio station broadcast from Black Mountain, N. C. There was a minister, Dr. David Jeremiah, who had a radio ministry called “Turning Point.” On one of these broadcasts, he said that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He went on to say that when he heard those words, everything in his mind just stopped. He thought of all of the projects he was involved in and thought he would not be able to do them. He was in the middle of raising money to expand his church. He was writing a book. He was planning to expand his radio ministry and the list went on. Then suddenly he realized that hearing he had cancer was not the end of the road but just a bend in the road. He said we don’t know what is around the bend in the road, but we know WHO is around the bend and we know He will be with us during our journey no matter how many bends in the road we face.
The day I was told I had cancer I drove away from the doctor’s office and suddenly remembered those words of Dr. Jeremiah some 20 years ago. I, too, realized this diagnoses was not the end of the road but just a bend in the road. I pass these words along in hopes that, no matter what you face as you take the bend in the road, that you will take heart and take the hand of the One that waits for you around the bend. He will be with you throughout your journey. Peace.