Preparing for Radiation
Today we are both more aware that Dan is still fighting a battle against cancer. It is a very sobering thought...and not one that we like to dwell on. How can we manage our fear when it rises? Do you know the meaning of Immanuel, which is one of the names for Jesus? In Matthew 1:22 - 23, we read, "The virgin will...give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel!-- which means, 'God is with us.' " God is with us! Yes!
Dan had a C-T Scan today to determine the angles for the radiation treatment. Monday he goes back for a "trial run" to see if everything is ready. Radiation begins the next day, Tuesday, March 18, finishing Tuesday, May 6 = 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week.
In setting up the C-T scan today, first the technician had Dan lie down on the table with his legs on a pillow that is like a bean bag. The technician put Dan's legs in just the right position for the radiation treatments...and applied a vacumn to the pillow which drew all of the air out of the pillow. That created a cast for Dan to rest his legs in each time he has radiation. The radiologist put a metal wire around the area of Dan's leg where the radiation is to go. The physicist will set the machine to send rays only to that area.
The radiologist predicts that Dan will have a minimum of fatigue since none of his organs are in the treatment area. We are grateful that Dan's energy level has been almost back to normal the last 3 days. Dan's personal doctor, Dr. Hendrickson, assures us that we will be able to go to Romania.
Tomorrow, l will search for plane tickets for May 15 that we can upgrade to Business Class using our air miles. As I began worrying about finding the right tickets, I remembered Jesus' words, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28 - 30
As you pray for Dan's health and our peace of mind, please, also pray that God will provide tickets for us to go to Romania May 15, and return in early August (Dan is honored to be invited to perform Michelle's brother's wedding in San Francisco in early August.) God is good. God is always good. -- Anne and Dan