The First Leg of the Journey

On January 11, 2024 I took the first step on a journey that has just begun. The, suddenly appearing, lump under my arm was the unwelcome harbinger of a journey that I would have to take and in the process bring several people with me. The diagnosis of Metastatic Melanoma about two weeks later served as the point of no return … no turning around, no refunds, no backing out.

The initial segment of the journey was established and was to have begun on Monday of this week with a PET scan. I had barely started the journey when I already had to take a detour. You can read several of the previous posts to understand what happened as a result of the discovery of an “incidental” brain bleed during that PET scan. I have just now returned home to pick up the strands of the journey with a day of rest tomorrow and then to see the oncologist for the first time.

Between Monday and now I’ve been whisked off to University of Iowa Hospital where the neurology team put me through their rigorous protocols. Long story short:

• My brain is no longer bleeding at the present time and I exhibited NONE of the usual symptoms that are manifested after such an event. Apart from a minor headache for two days prior, there were absolutely no signs of what was happening. The medical team was quite mystified by that.
• At this point it does not look as though the brain bleed is connected to the melanoma since there is no evidence of a lesion in the brain. However, some of the area is still obscured by blood and hard to examine. Two weeks from now, after some of the blood has dissipated, I’ll have another MRI to take a look.
• In the meantime we will get back on the road to addressing the melanoma with the oncologist visit on Friday.

I’m moving on from this from this first leg of the journey and putting the brain bleed on the shelf for now and turning to the cancer (there, I said the word).

Through this first leg however, as I reflect on it now from the comfort of my recliner at home with my cat at my feet, here are some random thoughts.

• I am so grateful to the Lord for His grace and providence in ultimately turning what seemed to be a “Red Alert” event into opportunities for witness, ministry and sharing the Gospel. I’m also so very thankful for the gracious reprieve from what might have been an “over the cliff” experience. God and I have talked about this together and while I don’t know what the future holds, I am fortified for it.
• I am humbled by the outpouring of moral support and prayer from across the country and from some parts of the world in response to my travels. So many chose to accompany me on this journey and that gave me and my girlfriend strength.
• It was wonderful to discover that my nurse on one shift was a Christian and that it had been my privilege to have a part in establishing a local church that was pivotal in the spiritual development of their soon to be son-in-law.
• The sheer joy of grandkids who love me and care deeply about my well-being
• My girlfriend, my daughter and her family were a physical presence without which, I’m not sure I would have safely navigated this part of the trip. Particularly of note was the concerned lecture I got from my daughter on eating that was appropriate for my new challenges. I’ve taken it to heart … sugar feeds the cancer cells … so I will work on not feeding them. She also arranged for the purchase and delivery to the hospital of a new pair of underwear, sweat pants and sweat shirt since I was beginning to get “ripe”. BONUS: The sweatpants have a button close fly in them. You have to be a man to fully appreciate how wonderfully practical that is!

This marks the end of the first leg of the journey and will be the last post until after the Friday appointment. Tomorrow I rest and then we begin the second leg of this journey.

My heart is overwhelmed with the love and concern expressed by so many of you. Linda and I are so thankful for each one. We’ve got many twists and turns ahead and hope you will continue to provide the sort of support and encouragement that you have during this week.