A new adventure

I thought it would be therapeutic to blog my thoughts and progress since I'm often kind of tired and can't always talk on the phone. Also I had to drop my classes at Drexel this quarter (sigh!) since I might fall behind. I have to do something to fill up my time - and I can't really effectively clean my house (which WOULD fill up all my time if I had more energy). I created this blog with the name The Varied Grace of God from 1 Peter 4:10 - because this new experience is bringing me into another aspect of grace. Anyway, I am sure I will have many opportunities to experience many more aspects of grace as we go through this and I want to be able to share about the supply of grace as I go through everything.

First of all, I am home from Glover Hospital awaiting an appointment with a gynecologic oncologist - I am going to see 2 - one at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and one at Brigham and Women's Hospital. No appointments yet. I'm trying to avoid having the horrendous problem I had last week with a blockage to my intestines and extreme discomfort. I'm enjoying many different varieties of chicken broth!

For those of you who don't know about what is going on, I had a CT scan and I have tumors on my omentum which were pressing on the intestines and causing a problem with digestion and elimination. The tumors, and also abdominal ascites (fluid) look like ovarian cancer or else peritoneal carcinomatosis. The tumors can't be biopsied because that could spread the cancer throughout my abdomen. In an attempt to rule out other cancers I had a chest ct (negative) and an endoscopy (also negative). I couldn't have a colonoscopy because I couldn't tolerate drink or tolerate all the stuff they gave me to drink. It was by far the most awful stuff I've had to drink - and it was 1 gallon - I drank half and then threw it all up.....so no colonoscopy.

Blood tests showed a slightly elevated CA125 marker for ovarian cancer. So next step is to see the gyn-oc doctor and have surgery to "debulk" my abdomen. Finally - it will be debulked!!! Not exactly how I planned to do that. Oh well.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the visits in the hospital from everyone. Each one of you brought so much joy - and if you didn't come or couldn't come, don't feel bad, you ministered to me by letting me get that much more rest.

I'm not sure how this blog will work but I think you can post your thoughts etc. I'm going to make a cup of tea and try to find a comfortable way to sit down. Lying on the bed is not always comfortable. I look forward to hearing from everyone.