observations from the observation unit...

warning... rambling middle of the night post from a man on pain-killers ahead.  bottom-line: i'm doing well... really well.

it's late.  but i woke up just before they came in to take my vitals and give my meds... and i've got these thoughts running through my head.

it's been a great day in every sense of the word. 

"great" because i've lived it aware of the grace & love that presses against every inch of my skin... and that i swallow with every breath. 

all because of...

...The Kind Prosthetic who enables me to enjoy LIFE...
...a wonderful, as well as inside & out beautiful, wife who brings me green tea & candy bars (even though she refuses to allow me to win more than 1-in-3 games of double-solitaire) while we pass the time in this curtain-walled cubby-hole... 
...three loving kids who call me and cheer me on...
...family on both sides who send waves of support...
...and friends close & far whose knees mention our names to Our Eager King.

the day has gone so much better than it could've.  i am truly amazed with how i felt coming out of surgery.  so different from the other times.

i haven't talked with dr. sabel directly, but beth takes pages & pages of notes every time a white coat comes within ten feet.  she knows all too well that i have lots of questions when i wake up in post-op... especially knowing she's already seen the doc.  he was pleasantly surprised to discover the tumor was not attached to the right axillary vein.  that is the best news of the day.  it doesn't mean that i won't end up with lymphadema... but it does mean that i'm not guaranteed to get it.  radiation will still likely bring it on... but hopefully with less severity than if the vein had been compromised during the surgery.  but we're not on that bridge yet.

in a few weeks i'll begin radiation to eradicate whatever melanoma cells the surgeon couldn't get.  they're now considering lightening the intensity of the individual treatments... but greatly lengthening the number of treatments.  i'll know more soon.  but it won't all begin until i've healed a bit.  of course they're trying to make it as effective as possible while causing as little damage as possible.  they keep telling me they're being aggressive... and i appreciate that... even though i'm sure there will be some days when i'll disagree with my own optimism.

it looks like i'm going to be able to get the treatments close to home... which will be huge considering the pumps are at $3.69/gallon and taunt us to go over 4 soon.

my friend (who also happens to be my oncologist) stopped in to check on me later in the day.  and after we got past all the medical stuff... we had a great time catching up on life beyond research & hand-sanitizer.  i'm continually thankful for his wisdom & wit... and that he's my cancer doc of choice.

after a dinner detour... (thankfully we cut off the nurse right before she lifted the cover from the baked fish beneath!  that was a cruel joke G*D!  but i managed to keep it together until a burger arrived)...

...beth and i walked into the lobby so i could call the kids.  we picked just the right grouping of chairs and found a buck-seventy-eight in change that had no-doubt fallen out of someone's pocket.  score! 

3 calls to the 3 cell phones was better than any pain med.  these are challenging days for each one of them, but loving them through their struggles helps bring some normalcy to all the craziness.  but sometimes i get more than a bit concerned with all the things their young hearts carry.  trusting G*D to be with them as he has with me is my greatest comfort.

today jenn had her first meeting with the director of 'cabaret' for next fall.  i can already see that the role & play are going to be a huge opportunity for G*D to stretch and form her in fascinating ways.  i can't wait.  yet, it's not going to be easy. 

but few journeys are.

the man through the curtain on my left is not having such an easy go of it.  at first i was concerned that he'd keep me awake all night with his low-toned groans and whispered expletives.  but then i remembered how G*D has gifted me with the ability to pretty much sleep anywhere, anytime... and of the privilege i have of praying for him through those times he might trip me out of my slumber.  it's kind of nice to be less absorbed with my own issues for once... at least enough to think of others.

my nurse's name is "lolly"...  and she's very sweet.  she doesn't bug me... just "pop" in from time to time.

looking over this post... i remember that sometimes people read these posts and tell me they are amazed at my ability to be so optimistic & spiritually-minded while facing hardship.  (they obviously haven't read the darth vader posts).  if the truth be told... tonight is just one of those times when G*D's set me up for good stuff in spite of myself.  after all, tons of people are praying for me... and like i said earlier, i'm surrounded by an incredible support system.

but tonight i have proof for you skeptics. 

1.  my wife's name is "beth"... which means "house of G*D."
2.  my surgeon is named after the archangel, "michael" meaning "who is like G*D".
3.  my oncologist's name is "christopher" meaning "christ-bearer".
4.  my nurse's name is "lolly"... but her real name is "loyola".  (st. ignatius)
5.  and my nurse tech's name is "jerusalem".

no joke!

i know it's all a bit silly... and doesn't really mean anything. 

yet... i'm glad the silly-ness can sometimes remind me of the reality that i'm too often blind to... ...that being...

once again i've been set up... ...and truly blessed.

Comments

[Tim M]

You got an awesome wife there. Green tea and candy bars. Sounds like a delicious marriage of flavor. I won't be satiated until I have some myself!

Becky, Rachel and I love you Shafer peoples. You're the best(#1 pastor status!). Great post, the feeling of contentment in it is contagious, viral even. Praise God for giving you a night like that.

[Jake Sinko]

I freaking miss you...And am inspired by how God is working through you...Cant wait to see you again brother...

[beth (house of God) graichen]

randy,
for those that can't understand your optimism;
job's closet friends had a hard time with how he stood firm in his devotion to the Lord, yet we know that is what holds us together when the stroms come our way.
love you man.

[beth (house of God) graichen]

randy,
for those that can't understand your optimism;
job's closet friends had a hard time with how he stood firm in his devotion to the Lord, yet we know that is what holds us together when the stroms come our way.
love you man.

[Brandalyn]

Way to go Randy! We are pulling for you buddy! SO glad to hear you're doing well! You are in our thoughts all the time

love you lots!

[Cheap Air Jordan]

Both want to do something, or fall in love with someone, in this before we have to know their affordability.