All Clear
Everything is still clear.
The doctor said my blood work was excellent. I put on a couple of pounds, but, then it beats the way I took off all that weight last year! My blood pressure was lower than it’s been on a Monday in a very long time, though, that’s probably because I wasn’t at work. The scar tissue on my right lung is about as small as it’s likely to get though, and the doctor seemed fine with that.
Everything else, medically, satisfied the doctor, who seemed quite pleased with my progress.
The one thing I do still worry about is the money. Even with what my medical insurance pays, I’m probably going to owe several thousand dollars this year and next year and, possibly, the year after that! The thousand dollar deductible and 20% the insurance company doesn’t cover adds up pretty quickly with all these scans. At least I’m on the right side of the grass to deal with them, though, so, I know things will work out eventually.
And, even though we’re paying big money at the pumps, I’m very grateful to be working in an industry that services the oil fields right now. We have work for the next three to five years and they keep me busy. That’s something else I’m really thankful for: having a job. It’s not too many years ago I was out of work and didn’t know when I’d work again. I try to remember that when I have problems on Mondays or have to work late on a Friday to update the firmware on the server drive array.
On a sad note, I found out this morning that an old friend whom I’d fallen out of touch with died yesterday from pancreatic cancer. Even though I hadn’t really talked to him in years, knowing that he’s gone makes my own results a little bitter-sweet.
Cancer touches so many lives and I count myself as truly blessed to have been spared so many of the worst aspects of it. In many ways, I’ve been very fortunate. I do want you all to know that I’m more than willing to talk about cancer or my treatment with anyone who may be dealing with it elsewhere in their life. I hope no one has been touched by cancer more than they have through me, but, if you all have, know that you don’t need to be alone with it.
Thanks again for all your prayers and positive support and thoughts!
Advice from your Uncle Jim:
"Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones."
--Phillips Brooks
