My 2nd Treatment

9/5/08 through 9/10/08 – On to my 2nd chemo therapy cycle. Everything went well without any issue. I am now home resting and feeling fine.

What I am finding is that my days in the hospital make me a little stir crazy. It is easy to get bored. Yes, I have continued with my bike riding and walking but I need more to keep me busy. One thing that has helped me is that I have met many people with all different kinds of backgrounds while in the hospital. Some have sad stories and others are trying to remain upbeat. I find talking to other patients helps both me and them. My goal is to try and have a brief conversation with as many patients as possible during my hospital stay. I figure if I start a simple friendly conversation that I could maybe add a little pleasantness into other people’s day. I think overall that I am doing a good job in raising the spirits of those on the floor. Sure there are some very sad situations on the cancer ward. For these cases I offer my prayers to their friends and family. Speaking of prayer I do have a Eucharistic Minister or a Priest visit me each day with Communion. This lifts my spirits significantly.

Did anyone get to see the “Stand Up to Cancer” telethon? This should show you how many people are fighting for cures that are not all that far away. If you think about some of the statistics 1 out of every 2 men and 1 out of every 3 women will be touched by cancer in their lifetime. The good news is that they collected $100 million dollars in donations. It was a great friend (and Goombah) who told my wife and me that God did not give cancer to me but it will be God who will heal me. As I think about that I believe that it is very possible that some of God’s healing powers exists within some of these great doctors I am lucky to have treating me. We always hear how God needs us to be his hands and feet. While in the hospital I have seen medical professionals (volunteers to doctors) taking up the role of compassionate healers. Below are the words to a song that make me think of what Jesus asks of us.


Hands and Feet
An image flashed across my TV screen
Another broken heart comes into view
I saw the pain, and I turned my back
Why can't I do the things I want to?
I am willing yet I'm so afraid
You give me strength
When I say
I wanna be Your hands
I wanna be Your feet
I'll go where You send me
I'll go where You send me
I'll be Your hands
I'll be Your feet
I'll go where You send me
I'll go where You send me
And I try, yeah I try
To touch the world like You touched my life
An I'll find my way
To be Your hands
I've abandoned every selfish thought
I've surrender everything I've got
You can have everything I am
And perfect everything I'm not
I am willing, I'm not afraid
You give me strength
When I say...
I wanna be Your hands
I wanna be Your feet
I'll go where You send me
I'll go where You send me
I'll be Your hands
I'll be Your feet
I'll go where You send me
I'll go where You send me
And I try, yeah I try
To touch the world like You touched my life
An I'll find my way
To be Your hands

This is the last time
I turn my back on You
From now on I'll go out
Send me where You want me to
I finally have a mission
I promise I'll complete
I don't need excuses
When I am Your hands and feet
I am Your hands and feet
I wanna be Your hands
I wanna be Your feet
I'll go where You send me
I'll go where You send me
I'll be Your hands
I'll be Your feet
I'll go where You send me
I'll go where You send me
And I try, yeah I try
To touch the world like You touched my life
An I'll find my way
To be Your hands
More to come…


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