Wednesday Wonder

Be careful what you wish pray for.

I think a minister might have mentioned this in her sermon last Sunday. She should have taken her own advice.

Last Wednesday afternoon I met with my oncologist who told me everything looks good and I didn’t need to be seen again for six months. Good news, and the usual protocol for a cancer patient at the end of treatment. After that appointment I decided to go to my surgeon’s office to see what was up with my surgery. I had been told it would be a 4-6 month wait for this final surgery, and it had been 8 months with no word.

I spoke with the surgeon’s admin person and she told me that it had simply gotten more and more busy, especially with cancer patients like me. My original surgery had meant pushing other patients to wait longer, the same was happening now. I was fine waiting so someone else could get initial treatment. After all, that had been me last year. I am waiting to simply finish off what I see has my cancer treatment journey and I can wait. Not patiently, as anyone who knows me can attest, but I can wait.

Last Wednesday afternoon, in light of the rise in patients, I was told that it would be at least October before my surgery would happen. I accepted that and started to plan how I could get things ready at Kingsview to deal with my absence in the fall. I was told I would be off for about six weeks following surgery. What would need to be planned? What would need to be put on hold? I was accepting that I had to wait and I had time to put things in place to make it easier on all of us when I had to be away.

Well… the best laid plans (I think I used that in my first WW in July) can change. Tuesday morning, I was told I have surgery booked for Friday, August 1st. Yes, this coming Friday! Plans have definitely changed.

I am now working to get things ready to be away until mid-September. Services are being prepared for others to present. So, my words, even if not being said by me, which means I am still there and you should still come to church this summer.

It also means that I will be back in time to start Bible study as planned. There is a young adult event planned in late September that I will still be able to attend. My part in the planning isn’t going to happen, but I am sure the congregation will step up and help make it a success.

I am grateful that Kingsview has been so supportive and flexible during my cancer journey. I truly feel God brought us together for such a time as this. And when this surgery is behind me, I will have the closure I need on my battle with cancer. The doctors may not declare it, but I will feel that I beat it.

When I return, we can get back to what God brought us together to do – be God’s people in this place showing our community and world that God’s love is alive and well and real. You all do a wonderful job of that, even without me, but I look forward to being back in the midst of it.

I had so many ideas to share before my health made me step back. God willing, I will come back ready to dive in and lead the way.

Until then, keep the light of Christ before and within you. Share that light every chance you get. It will be burning brightly to show me the way back here, back home to my church family.