Gary and I have driven across the country from Louisiana to California twice. The first time was when we helped Allie move to Clovis. On that trip, Gary got the nick-name “Leadfoot McUhaul” for his driving style through the mountains. The second time was a trip he and I made to deliver the Tahoe to Noah and attend Delphine’s christening. For both trips we planned, we packed, we prepared and we had quite an adventure along the way. The GPS way points kept us on the right road to get to our destination and helped us see how far we had already come. There came a point on both trips, when we finally got to the other side of Texas, where the GPS showed a very straight road ahead and said, “Stay on this road for 917 miles.” That’s a lot of miles! Apart from watching the scenery fly by our windows (who knew land could be that flat or that windmills were so cool?) there wasn’t a whole lot to be done. Just keep driving. But watching the miles tick down on the GPS helped us know we were still moving forward and we would eventually get to our destination.
Back in March when my oncologist told me the pre-surgery chemotherapy would last 20 weeks, that seemed a lot like that long, flat stretch of 917 miles to go. Add the week-long “detour” waiting for insurance approval and my road through chemotherapy extended to 21 weeks—if there are no further delays. Knowing where I’m headed—being cancer-free—is important. But just as important is seeing how far I’ve come. This past Friday was week number 15, and chemo number six of 12 of this course of treatments. Six more to go before surgery and I can finally be rid of these tumors.
Although we can’t get stuck always looking back, marking the milestones and events in our lives and looking at just how far we’ve come is important. When we can see the growth, the change and the progress we’ve made on our journey it gives us the strength we need to keep going. I’ve already made it through 15 weeks of this chemo journey—surely I can do a mere six more! Seeing how far I’ve come since this cancer road-trip began in January, looking back at the blessings I’ve experienced, also reminds me of God’s presence and His faithfulness. “I recall the many miracles He did for me so long ago. Those wonderful deeds are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about them.” Psalm 77:11-12 God has given me the strength and courage to make it this far and He will be faithful to provide for me to the end.
This coming week will be a big week. As I’ve completed half of the pre-surgery immunotherapy and half of the chemotherapy, I’ll have scans on Thursday to check the progress of my tumors. On Friday, I’ll have the third Atezolizumab infusion and my seventh Abraxane. We are almost at the end of this stretch of the journey and I am ready for what comes next.
T.S.CONLAY 