Join the Journey 2
Prognosis
The chemotherapy regime of two weekly cycles seemed to be going well, until I experienced excruciating pain on Wednesday 27th October. As I have a high pain threshold, this was obviously serious. I was taken into Yeovil District Hospital and following morphine injections to stem the pain, and x-rays of the chest and abdomen, it was found that I had a blockage in the colon. A CT scan confirmed the diagnosis and gave a clearer idea of the extent of blockage and an operation took place on the Friday afternoon. During this three surgeons tried to cut out the original tumour and failed, due to it having stuck to the colon wall all around. In order to avoid this blockage part of the colon was cut out and I now have a stoma bag. Recovery was slowed by the chemo, which was still active, but I was able to return home on Thursday 11th November.
Of course, after the operation I knew nothing of what had gone on in the operating theatre. Early the next morning I felt God saying to me that the darkness will never overcome the light and I felt a great sense of peace and being in the presence of God. When the surgeon came to explain all that had happened, it was as if the light of God filled the cubicle. In our discussion it was obvious that the tumour had either grown despite the chemo, or was bigger than first thought at the outset of treatment. The blockage also suggested that further chemo would not help. Yet, despite the dark news, for me the light of God’s presence and confidence that He was not only involved, but also in control of the situation gave strength and focus.
Cathryn, my wife, had been given the details over the phone the previous evening. Then on Tuesday 2nd November, when we met with the consultant surgeon, we were told that palliative chemo might add three months to a prognosis of 6 to 10 months. Again, due to the prayer cover of others and our own conversations with each other and with God we had peace and were able to say that our priorities were for me to recover from the operation and to live life to the full as a family, enjoying each day.
I’ve wanted to share these experiences, not because they are unique, but in the hope that if you are, or have gone through similar circumstances you might find hope and strength for the journey. If you want to contact and enter into discussion, please do so through the website, or why not try the fortnightly coffee morning, where there are always people available to listen to your story.
Above all I do believe that Jesus, who described Himself as ‘The Light of the World’ would like to walk with you, shining His light into your situation as He has, and is in ours.