Merry Christmas!
Before I get to the Christmas greetings, I just want to give a quick medical update to let you know that my recent labwork showed that my liver numbers are back down to normal! Woohoo! Such a relief. And an answer to many prayers. Thank you!
I also met with a GI doctor about my bile duct dilation. He said this is somewhat common, and he wasn’t too concerned, but he ordered an MRCP scan (an MRI that looks at this particular area) to check for pre-cancerous cysts. He doesn't expect to find any, but we’re thankful he's being thorough. The scan is scheduled for April 8, 2025, and if it doesn't reveal anything, then I don't need to worry about it any further. Of course, that's what we're praying for!
Overall, I’m feeling good. I’m still working on regaining strength and range of motion post-surgery. I continue to adjust to my new body and still have nerve pain and numbness around the surgical site. And since chemo launched me into menopause, I’m managing hot flashes, brain fog, random tearfulness, and other related symptoms. But I’ve got more energy back. I’m eager to be in the world again, and though I get socially fatigued more quickly, I’m enjoying re-engaging with regular life activities. Of course, as with all of us, there’s the ongoing challenge of finding a healthy rhythm and living within my limits! In the new year, I look forward to attending women’s Bible study at church again, joining a Livestrong class at the YMCA, and continuing with counseling. If I can find the time, I’d also love to join a local post-cancer support group to engage with others in this re-entry phase. I’m just so grateful to be alive, and finding delight in all the little things I used to take for granted. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of each day.
Anthony and I visited the Asplundh Cancer Pavilion this week to drop off Christmas cards and say thank you to the many healthcare workers and staff who served and ministered to us this past year throughout my treatment. For most of this year, we saw them weekly, but haven’t seen many of them since August, so it was sweet to see their smiling faces, give them big hugs, and thank them for their meaningful work.
It felt a lot different entering the building as a visitor and not as a patient, but a lot of emotions welled up in both of us. Anthony and I made our rounds, and then walked out to the car and cried…hard.
We wept tears of thankfulness to be on the other side of that huge mountain, and we wept tears of sadness for those we saw actively going through treatment. Seeing faces like mine this past year—discolored skin, no hair, eyelashes or eyebrows, a look of fatigue and weariness—brought back waves of fresh memories. It's hard to believe that only a few months ago this was us! We identified with their pain. We experienced the day-in-day-out grueling chemo regimen and felt the grief of it all with them. So we let the tears flow and asked the Lord to have mercy on those suffering.
As I’ve reflected on that day, it’s helped me appreciate that this is similar to how Jesus empathizes with us. By coming to earth as a baby, Jesus entered our "chemo center" as a patient. He went through the grueling day-in-day-out "treatment" of life here on earth and experienced the ache, confusion, fatigue and exhaustion with us…to the point of death. And then he rose again overcoming death itself. So when we cry out to him, he doesn't just sit aloof in heaven with no understanding or concern for our pain. He gets it. He cries with us. He knows how to reach us and meet us in the depths of it.
The Word [Jesus] became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4).
…They shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us) (Matthew 1:23).
This is the hope and wonder of Christmas. God sent his son Jesus to earth because he wants us to know him. He wants relationship with us. He sent Jesus to show us his mercy and kindness first-hand. Because Jesus came, we are not alone to fend for ourselves as orphans. He is God who is with us, and he brings his light to the darkest places. No one is beyond the reach of his light, no matter how far we've wandered, how long we've dismissed him, or how despairing we feel in our circumstances. The moment we turn to him and say, "I need you," he's there and able to bring beauty from our mess, confusion and heartache. Anthony and I can testify to this. It's truly the best news ever. ✨
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!*
And we’re so thankful God gave us all of you! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for loving us, praying for us and cheering us on through this year. We wish you all a joyous Christmas and a happy 2025! 🎄❤️
*Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Charles Wesley