THIS GREAT WEEK

Well, this is the first posting for me on the blog and I guess it's about time. This is the seventh week since the emergency colon surgery. As Glynnda noted last week, on Tuesday (May 19) the stent was removed. By Wednesday night I was feeling more like my old self. What a blessing to be relieved of that painful hardware between my kidney and my bladder!

This week I had an appointment with Doctor Schlossman at Missouri Cancer Associates on Tuesday (May 26). I was very interested in what his opinion was of the last CT scan done on May 3rd. He told me he asked the tech to scan the liver as well as the gallbladder. The doctor was very concerned about the liver because the PET scan from much earlier had shown a spot on the dome of the liver. The scan showed no spots on the liver and the gall bladder which had been infected and enlarged was reduced in size and much better.

He did not say I was cancer free. He reminded me that 3 of the 24 lymph nodes taken from my right side were cancerous and it was his professional duty to recommend 6 months chemotherapy. We have had this discussion before and agreed to disagree about what I would do. He understands that I am not going to go the chemo route. At the end of our visit he said, "If God forbid, something should change and you need help call me and I'll do whatever I can to help you." I thanked him for being up front with me and for his professional courtesy. I'll see him again in 6 months.

On Thursday I had an appointment with Doctor Pitt, my surgeon (Columbia Surgical Associates). He is easy to talk to and answers questions with straight-forward answers. Doctor Pitt was pleased with my progress. We discussed the colon and the process of getting it to operate correctly again. It takes time but it will function normally, he said. I see him again in 3 months.

I am eating regular food. Really anything I want. This week I have had ranch style beans with jalapeno peppers, barbque beef brisket and potato salad with no ill effects. I tell anyone who will stand still long enough that God is not finished with me and the many prayers of people everywhere for me are working. I am claiming cancer free even if the doctors haven't said it. God is good all the time.

This Sunday morning, the Lord being my helper, will be my first sermon in almost eight weeks. I am excited to be given the opportunity to start a brand new chapter in my ministry. I am expecting great things from the Lord in this new adventure. For sure, HE is in control and I'm just going along for the ride. Why don't you come along?

Vernon McGarvey