6 weeks post op appointment due Tuesday 6th April.

I went to our local GP’s blood clinic yesterday. They needed a sample of my blood to do a super-sensitive PSA test. ( a test useful after radical prostatectomy to detect early recurrences. ) PSAs stay in the blood for about 6 weeks so the idea is that by this time PSA from my prostate should have all passed through my system. If there are PSA’s is may indicate that further treatment is necessary. The data from this blood test will be in the hands of my surgeon for my 6 weeks post op appointment on Tuesday 6th. He will also have the results of the prostate and lymph nodes histology from the op itself. These two, the current PSA values and the histology from the op will the data he uses to advise on any further treatment. I will let you know the results when I have them. Thank you all again for all your prayers and good wishes and cards and emails. I am grateful for and very humbled by all your love.

now you see it, now you don't

going...


going...


gone!!

by grace through faith: part 1

finally got around to the first part of my thoughts on this topic. I have decided it sits better on Biblebase Second Thoughts so you can read it here

the body of this humilation

This is one of Paul's descriptions of the human body. It is a 'humbled' artefact that for the Christian will one day be transformed into the likeness of Christ's own resurrection body.

This is a 'humbling' time in that I have so much I want to do but know I don't have the energy to do it. My 'get up and go' has got up and gone! But this too is another opportunity to find God's grace in new ways. I have always been blessed with an energetic disposition and don't believe I was ever 'bored' in my whole life. But the rhythms have changed and just a minimum of effort now needs an hour's recuperation. Is God sufficient for this season? Is his grace sufficient or did he not take this possibility into account when he promised to make 'all grace abound'?

It is a humbling time too in that long 'taken for granted' bodily functions now have to be carefully nursed. I understand that most men find this period the most trying of all.

I recall Christ's words to Peter that when he was young he dressed himself and went where he wanted to go but that a time would come when others would dress him and take him where he did not want to go. It was a prediction of Peter's death but the gospel writer adds this simple comment "he said this to show Peter by what death he would glorify God. Can these 'little deaths' to pride and self-sufficiency glorify God too? Yes they may... by his grace.

TWOC-ed

The hospital had a bed today so I was able to get in and have the catheter removed under test conditions. All went very well, and I am home... very tired but home.

I now have a series of pelvic floor exercises to do and possibly a fairly long journey to continency. The next event on the calendar will be an appointment with the surgeon scheduled for 6 weeks 'post op'. The removed tissue will have been subjected to lots of tests and I will receive the 'histology' at that appointment. Depending on what they found will determine what future treatment lies ahead.

Again, thank you all so much for your love and prayer avalanches of good wishes. My love to you all

and I'm still home or h-day + 7

The TWOC didn't happen. The hospital phoned to say that they didn't have a bed, then they phoned every couple of hours to say they still didn't have a bed. I am now to phone at 9am tomorrow and I am top of the list for a bed!!

Has God missed something? Surely not. I am keen to be rid of this last tube but I believe strongly that God has all things under his eye and I can wait!

Still home or H-Day +6

I haven't got around to doing that piece on 'salvation by grace through faith' yet but it will appear soon DV.

Meantime I am home and due to return to hospital tomorrow for a TWOC I am due in at 10:00 am and then may be there until 4:00 pm or later as things 'proceed'.

I managed a brief walk outside yesterday, came back and slept for an hour! The cost of even the smallest effort still takes me by surprise. I am conserving energy by not standing in front of a mirror for 15 minutes to shave so I now have 10 days growth of beard! I wore a beard for several years, way back, over 20 years ago but it succumbed to the verse in 1 Corinthians which says a 'man's body is under his wife's control'! We'll see how long I can get away with it.

Thinking logically, 15 minutes each day is an hour and three quarters every week, which is 91 waking hours per year. Thinking in terms of a working day of 12 hours, that would give an extra working week and a half every year for my work! I have presented this case to 'she who has authority' and she has passed very little comment. I sense she is biding her time and keeping her powder dry!

Thank you for all your love and prayers and cards and emails and facebook greetings! We feel very loved!