An Anchor in Glory

I hope you had a glorious Sunday! Near us, the snow is flying thick and fast and the wind is whistling down the chimney only to meet an ebullient fire at the bottom, crackling and popping, casting its warm ruddy glow on contented, reflective faces. Mama has been thankful for a short reprieve before radiation starts again in earnest tomorrow. She noticed after just two treatments her skin is sensitive and very dry even with careful moisturizing. We prayed together on Friday night for strength and endurance and specifically that Mama’s skin would be strong and withstand this new treatment well. We also pray for clear communication with our doctors. It is sometimes hard to tell what degree of opinion we are expected to have and understand what they are trying to tell us. Mama was told she would be radiated in one area by her doctor and then the technologist described a much broader area right before her treatment! :ol We have an appointment with our original radiation oncologist on Tuesday which will hopefully clear it up.

We enjoyed hearing Mama’s description of the radiation desk atmosphere in contrast to “chemo”. She said it is much more casual and… jocular. :o) And for obvious reasons; they are dealing with a completely different treatment, the only similarity being they both administer medically controlled toxins. Anyway, by popular request, Mama described to us the music (like music you would hear at the local swimming pool :o) )and the radiation technologist who assumed a bit of humorous bravado for the occasion and then moved down and across the hallway during the treatment time so he doesn’t catch any scattered radiation. She told us about the big screen with the picture of waving grass and waterfalls, the red “whooga” light up near the ceiling that lights up when she is being treated, the “slats” that made a sort of grinding sound when they open and shut and then the two hot tears that fell down into her ears and couldn’t be dried because she couldn’t move a muscle. The lady who works at the reception desk on Friday has a contagious laugh and we recognize some of the people from chemo in radiation and exchange smiles of tacit acknowledgement as we pass by. :o) God is faithful in working all things for good. He says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Ps. 50:15) How good He is to us and what a joy to be an instrument for His glory! We hold fast to His mercy and faithfulness and are again reminded of His words, “I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish." (Jer. 31:25) “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”(Matt. 11:28)