Saturday, December 02, 2006

On Five Years Cancer-Free

I kept a very detailed journal during the years 2000 and 2001. It wasn’t everyday stuff. It was my cancer journal. It eventually grew to over 11,000 words. Here’s a bit of the entry for Thursday, November 8, 2001.

I had two doctor’s appointments this week. The first, and more important, was Monday. I went to see Dr. Tak. I was only there a few minutes. He discharged me. He used the word “cured” and I asked him about that. He said that we couldn’t exactly say that but that I was in “very good shape.”
I was released from treatment. I didn’t have cancer anymore. God had chosen to spare my life at that time. Obviously there is a reason.

I went through a lot of conflicting emotions during that period. I had to deal with how to tell my kids I had cancer (they handled it beautifully). My grandson William shared my cancer with me, pretending to take pills with me and telling whoever was listening, “Doc got ancer. I got ancer, too.”

Sandra was a rock. She was the one facing the possibility of widowhood. She went to every appointment. She drove me around when I needed it. She helped with every decision along the way.

One night Sandra and I were watching television and there was somebody on one of the shows who was admitted to a hospital with all kinds of problems. I said (according to my journal), “That guy’s in a lot worse shape than me.” Sandra said what are you talking about. My reply, “He’s got diabetes, heart problems and burns on 60 percent of his body. I only have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and prostate cancer.” She laughed heartily and said, “I almost envy you.”

Yesterday, I went to see my doctor. He checked me thoroughly (and I do mean thoroughly). I’m in good shape. I lost a bunch of weight (intentionally) this year. My blood pressure’s down. I still have to get some blood tests, but I expect them to look pretty good, too.

It has been five years. God beat my cancer. I’d better not waste the time He has given me.

4 comments:

Susan Elizabeth said...

Maybe one reason that He spared your life was because you were meant to meet other people and touch their lives? (like my family, for instance) Glad to know you, Curt.

~jenna said...

Thanks God!!

Anonymous said...

You shouldn't waste any time-you should come visit me very soon!

Nicki Corridoni said...

well I'm certainly glad He beat your cancer!

I think you might find this interesting. I cataloged my home library:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/disciplingtruth