UP & DOWN

I’ve had some “ups and downs” in the last week. After two days of chemotherapy last Thursday and Friday, I spent three days mostly in bed feeling pretty weak. I had forgotten how puny and miserable I can feel with the effects of chemo.

The plus side of the down time is that it forces and motivates me to spend time to reflect and meditate on my life. I find that I regularly need to practice circumcision of soul, that is, cutting away or removing things in my life that are unnecessary and a distraction to accomplishing my purposes and objectives.


Some lines from a song called “When the Time Comes,” written by David Kavich and sung by Sandi Patty, come to my mind at such times.
Share When The Time Comes by Sandi Patty
                      Cleanse me Lord
                      Of all my silly, sad charades
                      How I want to be all and only Yours
                      Take away the clutter in my life everyday
                      And make me like a child at play

I recall driving down dusty dirt roads in Brazil many times almost thirty years ago listening to that song on my cassette player. A few years ago I decided it is the song I want sung at the beginning of my memorial service. I hope that service is many years in the future!

By Tuesday I was feeling much stronger and ready to venture out in the world again. Cissy and I drove to Amelia Island where we are enjoying the bright sunshine and brisk breezes on the coast. I delight in feeling good enough to take some good walks on the beach.

My son Evan flew down from Atlanta to spend Thursday with us. As we were driving from the airport in Jacksonville, the case manager for my stem cell transplant called. The plan is for me to have some tests done the first week in April, and then the next week tests for Evan, since he will be my donor. The goal is to have the transplant the end of April or the first of May.

The “down” time from chemo last week is only a snapshot of how I will feel for many weeks after the transplant. I will take each day one at a time. For now, the sun is shining and I am good! It's time to go out on the beach.