Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV).
By Thursday of last week (02.28) Marsh could tell he was finally coming out of the bronchitis...
By Friday the mouth sores were negligible, and he had visits from Pr. Jeff and Pr. Steve, both of whom were breaths of fresh air. Good thing they came separately; the two of them together would have been outrageous...
On Saturday morning we went out. Actually, we tried to go for breakfast, but everywhere we went there was a long wait, and that would have been really pushing it. So, we went through a drive-through, then rode around in the rare Columbus sunshine a bit. That afternoon Annie came home for Spring break, and brought a special smile to his heart...
Sunday was the classic Marsh-pulls-the-blankets-over-his-head day (and who can blame him?). He couldn't get out of bed, felt horrible, and generally manifested his dread of going back into the hospital to be systematically poisoned then yanked back from the brink...
Monday the weather was GLORIOUS. While staying in bed was still his preference, we dangled temptation before him, enticing him to save his strength all day, then actually went out to dinner -- Sarah Honey, we missed you so much! -- at Basi Italia, a tiny but tremendous restaurant in Victorian Village. I'm not sure who enjoyed it most... We all ordered something different, sampled everything on everyone's plate and generally had the best time in months.
Then yesterday morning we were off in the pouring rain to attempt check in once more. Third time was the charm: He walked to the doctor's office(!); all previous trips this interim he has used a wheel chair. Blood work was good, all systems were GO -- even that pesky kidney function was tolerable -- and the wonderful staff at the James 2 clinic, Dr. Porcu's office, and James 10 welcomed him back. Knowing this is to be the final round, they were extra upbeat and encouraging, and he rose to the occasion... It was the old Marsh, cutting up, working the crowd and even getting on his computer once he settled into his room for the first time in what seems like a couple of months. It was a joy to behold.
The Methotrexate which was to have started yesterday is on a slight delay as they manipulate his pH levels, but the lumbar puncture... no, let me rephrase that: the LAST lumbar puncture will take place this afternoon. This round will include everything from Round 3, the one which was so very difficult to endure, but he came through it before, and, by God's grace, will do so again.
And so, to those who had no might, the Lord has increased strength. As Marsh embarks on the last leg of the treatment portion of this cancer journey, Dr. Porcu is urging him to consider what comes next. Marsh believes it to be a blank page. For some that might be a daunting prospect. For him, I pray it is an unfolding opportunity for renewal, and I can't wait to read what will be written.
As always, thank you for your prayers -- truly they are our eagles' wings.
--c.
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