Dumb Delays

When we walked from the infusion center to the Oncologists office this morning, we traveled down a long empty hallway. Katie said calmly “I just want to run!” And then after a short pause she added “…away from here” 🙂

This morning there was a lot of anxiety and preparation getting to the hospital. We were excited that we were halfway done, but dreading another round of nasty chemo symptoms. After getting our blood drawn this morning, the Oncologist met with us prior to going in for chemotherapy. Unfortunately this time we found out that Katie’s white blood cell count was a tad too low, low enough that we would have to bump our infusion back another week. That was tough for us to hear.

The thought of having to drag this out another week does not fit into Katie’s “let’s just get it done” attitude. The doctors prescription for the Katie this week was to eat plenty of food, and get as much rest as possible. To most people that would sound like heaven, but Katie is not most people. The thought of her sitting around, sleeping the day away, and being a glutton, is not her idea of relaxing. She has always wanted to be in the mix of things and not be missing out. The good need is that she will have another week of feeling a little better, but the mindset is just get it done!

We met another person on the Oncology floor today who had been recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Katie and I talked with him briefly and Katie and he gave one another a hug. Being an older gentleman, he was more concerned about Katie’s well being and offered some kind words to us, but anytime I hear the words pancreatic cancer now I shudder a little. Every time we walk through Oncology I get a little better perspective of the issues and concerns that attend everyone. All of a sudden our concerns, which are still very real concerns, now become a little less forefront. I was amazed to see a seasoned man who was very much plagued with his own life threatening issues, pause and begin to minister to Katie. It reminds me of the story of the Savior when He is on His way to heal the daughter of Jairus, His clothes are touched by the woman with the issue of blood, He stops, turns, And kneels down and begins to minister to her. Even in the rushing about of day to day life and the ever present concerns and trials, we can’t forget to be on the look out to minister to others.

We are looking forward to a week of rest and preparation for a chemotherapy treatment next Monday. While we enjoy a little break, we will be happy to get back on a regular schedule again.

We have once again seen many people reach out to us again this week. Situations that we did not know if they would work out, miraculously did. We are grateful for the power of ministering angels. While we were at the hospital this morning, I called home to check on our kids and Katie’s sister who has been staying with us. On the phone I could hear people in the background, I asked her if people were there, she said it was ladies from our neighborhood deep cleaning our home, then she said “yup, just little angels.”