I am defined by Christ not cancer!

Joyce and I met with my Urologist, Dr. Andrew Girvan to have my catheter removed today ( ouch ) and to review the results of the pathology on the tissue taken out during surgery.

What you learn through this process is the fact that with all the tests - MRI, Bone Scan, CT etc., medicine is still not an exact science. Even what Girvan saw, with my prostate in his hands during surgery, gave him no cause for alarm but that is not enough. The human eye cannot see microscopic cells, so follow up tests are needed. This is the normal protocol for all prostate patients.

There are things the doctors don’t know and won’t know until later on in this journey - I am glad Girvan is cautious, conservative and a team player. He and Dr. Malone of the Cancer Clinic will guide us through this next phase.

Questions we have now include: Is all the cancer gone? Do I need radiation? Is there still some cancer in my body and if yes, where? What treatments will I be having? Wonderful questions which you leave in God’s hands as we continue to trust Him for our daily 'bread' every step of the way.

In mid-May I go for blood work. They will be looking at the PSA levels in my body to determine if there are cancer cells present or if the  operation has successfully treated my prostate cancer and I am cancer free. This would be a good prayer request that I be cancer free.

In early June we meet with Dr. Malone at the Cancer Clinic for a follow-up on the blood work and a confirmation of what is needed next.

What do we plan to do in the meantime? Good question. We are going to live normally, enjoy life together and serve the purposes of God in and through our lives. I am not defined by cancer but rather by who I am in Christ.

On a funny note, Girvan removed the catheter and then proceeded to put a diaper on me for the journey back home. He said my bladder needed time to recover from the two weeks with the catheter and I might leak. Hmmm. I haven’t worn a diaper for 63 years so needless to say it was an interesting experience. I was waiting for the baby powder treatment but it didn’t come. Oh well!

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.