Jordan gave us permission to share this part of one of his recent emails. We are so grateful that he is learning and growing the way he is on his mission in Colorado Springs. We love Jordan. We join him in testifying of the power of Atonement of Jesus Christ.
I'll admit, this week was not all sunshine and dandelions for me, but i got through it. I'll talk a little bit more about the hard times here in a sec...
So this week has been a bit harder because it was hard for me/us to stay diligent all the time. It was hard because sometimes when we didn't have anything to do, we felt like we were being really unproductive. That is why we chose diligence for our topic in district meeting, because that is something we were struggling with. I have been trying to continually change myself to what the Lord wants me to be and be obedient and diligent and all the things that i should be, but it has been tough. Me and Elder Ohman have argued a few times this week cause we both think very differently. It happened a lot more in our last area, but i dont want it to happen at all if possible.
I just have to remember why i am here and what i am doing and keep that perspective and i will be alright. I love this gospel and i love being a missionary. I hope that i can continually be better. I want to increase my personal comittment to my Savior and to the Gospel that i teach to others. I just wanted to include this this week because i feel like sometimes i put off a false image that missionary work is all sunshine and rainbows. It's not. It is hard and disappointing and sometimes instead of sunshine and rainbows you get mud in your face. But i am learning more and more that the atonement is an awesome soap/water combination to get rid of that mud. I hope you all are doing well and that you have an awesome week. I love y'all!
Monday, March 23, 2015
Friday, March 6, 2015
PET Scan and Results, Port Coming Out, Etc.
My most recent PET scan was about a week and a half ago – and my scans are continuing to show no evidence of disease, which we’re so grateful for.
I am scheduled to have my port removed next week on Wednesday ("A port is a small disc made of...metal about the size of a quarter that sits just under the skin. A soft thin tube called a catheter connects the port to a large vein. ...chemotherapy medicines are given through a special needle that fits right into the port. You also can have blood drawn through the port"). I'm looking forward to this for a couple of reasons...
First, my understanding is that doctors are hesitant to remove ports unless they have a significant assurance that the patient will not need any further treatment. I think ports can stay in for like 10 years...so by default they would have it in if there is any possible need for further treatment. So, the idea of having it out can be interpreted as meaning I have no need for further treatment now or in the immediate future. We are, of course, glad for this.
Second, there are times when my port is uncomfortable. Most of the time it's fine and I don't even recognize that it's there, but other times I do. Some of those times have been when I have been stretching or exercising. So, I am looking forward to increasing my physical activity and exercise once this port is removed.
I don't know if they will let me, but I am wanting to keep my port once it is removed. :) We've heard of a couple of other people who have done the same. Someone said it was made of titanium and cost $8,000....why wouldn't I want to keep it?! :)
One of the most important things I think we have learned and are learning throughout our cancer journey is this principle: “Faith is to agree unconditionally—and in advance—to whatever conditions God may require in both the near and distant future” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon [1997], 18–19).
So, while we feel gratitude that there is no evidence of disease, we also feel overwhelming gratitude about knowing that our loving Heavenly Father has a plan specifically for us, with or without cancer. And I know that His plan for me is always better than my plan for me, even if I don't understand His plan at first.
I am scheduled to have my port removed next week on Wednesday ("A port is a small disc made of...metal about the size of a quarter that sits just under the skin. A soft thin tube called a catheter connects the port to a large vein. ...chemotherapy medicines are given through a special needle that fits right into the port. You also can have blood drawn through the port"). I'm looking forward to this for a couple of reasons...
First, my understanding is that doctors are hesitant to remove ports unless they have a significant assurance that the patient will not need any further treatment. I think ports can stay in for like 10 years...so by default they would have it in if there is any possible need for further treatment. So, the idea of having it out can be interpreted as meaning I have no need for further treatment now or in the immediate future. We are, of course, glad for this.
Second, there are times when my port is uncomfortable. Most of the time it's fine and I don't even recognize that it's there, but other times I do. Some of those times have been when I have been stretching or exercising. So, I am looking forward to increasing my physical activity and exercise once this port is removed.
I don't know if they will let me, but I am wanting to keep my port once it is removed. :) We've heard of a couple of other people who have done the same. Someone said it was made of titanium and cost $8,000....why wouldn't I want to keep it?! :)
One of the most important things I think we have learned and are learning throughout our cancer journey is this principle: “Faith is to agree unconditionally—and in advance—to whatever conditions God may require in both the near and distant future” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon [1997], 18–19).
So, while we feel gratitude that there is no evidence of disease, we also feel overwhelming gratitude about knowing that our loving Heavenly Father has a plan specifically for us, with or without cancer. And I know that His plan for me is always better than my plan for me, even if I don't understand His plan at first.
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