So, We've been up in Rochester for a week now. Nazarene Well House called me last Thursday before coming up, saying that there was an available room. It was a huge blessing and gift from God. It was an amazing environment to stay in, definitely felt as though God put us there. It was very comforting! My dad is here with me. He bought some Whey protein for me, as a bigger emphasis was put on the need to do weight bearing activities by the radiation oncologist at the last appointment on Friday; therefore to increase muscle mass! More muscle pulling on the bone + more weight for the bones carry = greater bone mass achieved, as calcium is deposited in areas of the bone where there's more weight/or muscle. This is very important, as yesterday the doctor said early menopause could come as early as 2 years verses 5-10. Either way, that means a bone mass of older woman sooner. So the sooner I can get buff like my brother, the better! And my dad is an excellent 'coach' in this area of lifting weights and eating lots of good stuff that is condusive to gaining muscle mass. The 50% chance of early menopause is related to the effects of the radiation that will be delivered in the area of the brain containing the pituitary gland which controls release of certain hormones in our bodies. (So, pray that this does not happen).
About 2 weeks ago, I was number 44 to get into Hope Lodge; which is free lodging and is uber close to Mayo Clinic; and after being up here for just 4 days, HL called saying that they had an open room!! It was amazing. So we arrived Nov. 20th and were moved into Hope L by the 23rd.
Hope Lodge has been great so far! Finally unpacked; brought a ton of stuff. But will be here until Jan. 9th. They provided Thanksgiving Dinner, as well. There are a sorts of people here, definitely a blessing! Every time I go down to eat in the kitchen, there's always a group of people. The one night, I met an amazingly entertaining kid named Rocko. I'm looking forward to getting to know some of these people more!
The radiation part has gone well so far. The very first day of treatment, treatments just last 15minutes, but the first day in the waiting room before; one of the volunteers came and gave a hand massage. It was very nice and relaxing. I'm very thankful to be here, as the environment is very set to help people relax. Right outside of Desk R, where I go to check in, there's an open area with a piano; where I've seen three people so far play and provide entertainment. They once played the song 'Forget you,' I later learned the origins of this song; I had no clue!(: But the lady who I check in with most days at Desk R, now greets me by name. Which is nice, to feel at home.
So, now to the part that I want to share; the way I'm trying to look at this! This will hopefully be a learning process and coming to just have peace with how things are. This whole tumor thing, at least this semester has consumed my thoughts-- I would like that to change.
The way I'm trying to look at this comes from how God has worked in the past through life changes and this one of choosing to withdraw from Nursing school and start treatment. The one life change that I'd like to share to give reference to how God has always worked in my life, was moving from PA to KS back in 2005. It wasn't the easiest; but through it came amazing things. Going to KSU was amazing, as I was surrounded by amazing friends who love God and definitely have let their actions reflect this. This and being reconnected with extended family was/is a big gift!!! Friends and family to me are definitely proof of God's love. So, basically any negative situation always has a way of showing God's provision and the way He answers prayers; therefore His faithfulness and love.
I have seen God answer in many ways concerning this tumor thing since April of this year, or maybe just more in circumstances and logistics of life related to dealing with a tumor/surgery/treatment. Back in January of this year, I signed a one-year lease in Topeka at West Indian Town Homes with two other nursing students; as I had finished pre-req's at KSU as was starting Nursing School. Topeka is definitely not like Manhattan, Manhattan being a college town where there are always sub-leasers to be found. Topeka is the Capitol of KS, not exactly where someone wants to spend their summer in most cases. I had been posting and looking for a summer sub-leaser for almost the entire Spring semester as I knew I wanted to spend some time in Manhattan that summer. Then once I found out that the mass seen on an MRI back in the end of March was indeed a tumor, on April 29th, it became a very 'pressing' issue of needing a summer sub-leaser to take my spot in Topeka for that summer, as I knew that a surgery was inevitable. My roommates and I had done everything in our power to find a sub-leaser. It wasn't until less than a week before leaving for Mayo, that someone (an absolute perfect fit) contacted one of my roommates; asking if she knew of anyone who was looking for a summer sub-leaser in Topeka.... OF COURSE WE DID (: It was an amazing answer to prayer. This first of many. God even provided a sub-leaser to take my spot and finish up the years lease for the Fall Semester. Which gave me more freedom to leave school, this Fall semester.
It is definitely a blessing to be up here at Mayo, as radiation is a very specific treatment that requires a lot of time and consideration and accuracy in its' planning and administration. It's a blessing to have wonderful family! Even though this situation is not the 'funnest,' God has provided in every way possible to be up here. He has always provided in the past and I've been surrounded by amazing family and friends through out this entire process: Therefore I'm trying to look at this 'negative' situation and see God's faithfulness in all of it, no matter what. Life is not perfect, just have to learn to deal with how it is; joyfully seeing God through His provision, through wonderful friends and family and this new experience! (a temporary vacation from school, wooo!)
So, I want to end with a question that one of the pastors at Faith E-Free left us with in closing his sermon:
"What good thing in life, have you not received?"
I feel that this question even goes back to the abilities of our own bodies to do mentally and physically anything we want them to. God has created us in very complex ways, He has given us the ability to take in air through our lungs, and for that oxygen to be carried to every cell of our body. He has also given the gift of eternal life in Jesus!
