One Day at a Time

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.” 
Psalm 118:22-24 New International Version

As I mentioned in Part 3A, I am keeping notes so this is the second week of my third round of chemo.  Second weeks tend to be my most difficult. We did not get to the mountains to see the ‘Aspen Gold’ until Thursday.

This was the week of the sore heel and the rash.

Each round I have had a severe rash generally the second week and it continues into the third week – we’ll see if it clears up next week. Nasty on the inside of elbows, arms, and knees. No itch, it just burns. I probably used too much cortisone lotion.  Near the end of the week Karen recommended I use Cetaphil for washing and simple Aveeno.  That reduced the burning.  Seems to be getting better – three cheers for Dr. Mom!

I mentioned my heel in 3A.  After discussing this one with the doctor we really don’t know if there is a direct connection with chemo, but by the end of the week it was clear. Probably would have required an orthopedic consult if it had not gone away.

My temperature is continuing to stay down.  Not many dogs walks because of my heel. Taste and tongue continued to degrade through Saturday, but not as bad as last round.

I also shaved on Saturday – first time in two weeks. I don’t know that I really needed to shave, but I did have a few long hairs coming out of my chin. Now if my hair comes back but my whiskers don’t, that will be a PLUS!

As of the end of the week my weight was only down 7-8 pounds.

Over the past few weeks I have spoken with a number of brothers and sisters in Christ who are dealing with their own situations.  Some have more hair some less.  The same chemo in different dose and frequency is used for breast and prostate cancer.

Together we strengthen each other and share our icky moments. I guess one might think ‘misery does love company’, BUT that is not it.  I saw one person who spent quite a bit of time in treatment this spring and summer.  He did not have cancer, but he was hospitalized with serious illness and I think he provided the right reason.  I asked him what got him through his treatment and he replied without hesitation, “The prayers of the saints work!” He is right.

In the bulletin at Holy Cross there is a list of names of people who need and desire your prayers. Please pray – remember –

“. . .  and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” 
James 5:16b King James Version

Copyright Gerald Givens

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Gerald Givens is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel (1969-1991) and contract satellite engineer/program manager (1991-2011). He was born on 16 March 1945, and blessed to be baptized in April 1945, and married to his lovely wife, Karen, on 23 December 1967. He has served HCLC as Lay Minister and member of the Board of Directors. For many years he served with Karen and a third grade and kindergarten Sunday School teacher.  Recently he has led numerous Financial Peace University classes and co-chaired with Karen the Holy Cross Momentum emphasis,”SOAR” which was intended to bring Biblically based financial management training to the broader Holy Cross community.