Riding out the storm

 Riding out the storm…

A few weeks ago I noticed some irregularities with my body that prompted some investigation. I pressed the issue with my docs and they scheduled some tests. Those tests revealed a tumor in my bladder. They had a plan and scheduled to have the tumor removed. A relatively routine procedure that though a bit invasive, didn’t involve a lot of danger or complications. 

  But life doesn’t wait or suspend Itself for tumors. In fact, it rambles forward with little to no regard for personal challenges. 

  Family matters including grandkids, kids and pets, along with work challenges for all involved, kept on moving forward. 

  Diagnosing my own physical ailments took somewhere around six weeks to manifest. A few days after the initial tests, but prior to the diagnosis found my beloved Sadie in peril. She stopped eating regularly and had some significant motor malfunctions that had me on night watch for several days. 

  The day my post test appointment was scheduled I had to leave early from work for it. The night before had me up on the hour checking on Sadie to make sure she was as comfortable as possible. 

  The Friday before, knowing the inevitable was likely to occur, I sought a  final resting place for her. I found that through a request to a family member that owned property where several of our extended family pets had found forever homes. The request was granted with the assurance that when the time came, all assistance would be offered. For that I am eternally grateful. 

  The day the diagnosis of a tumor was verified I came home early to find Sadie lying on her bed in the kitchen on her favorite blanket where she slept for the preceding days and nights. She appeared peaceful enough, but I knew her time was near. 

  Arriving late morning I checked on her, lying on the floor with her for several minutes where she looked at me with clarity, resting her head on her crossed paws. I bathed her with a damp cloth and made sure she was as comfortable as possible. I then sat in my easy chair and took a much needed brief nap, maybe fifteen to twenty minutes. It wasn’t a deep nap as I was troubled with knowing that a decision had to be made. I didn’t want her to suffer and dreaded the inevitable. 

  After resting those few moments, I stood and went to check on her again, finding that in those few moments she, and The Good Lord, had relieved me of having to make that choice. She had breathed her last and lie as I had left her with her head resting on her crossed paws. A piece of my heart went to rest with her. 

  I took a few minutes to process the situation then called my brother-In-family (my daughters father-in-law) and we made plans to lay her to rest with her baby boy and close pet friends in a plot graciously provided by he and his wife. 

  Bundling her precious body up in that same favorite blanket, I carried her to the farm they own, where he and I labored together to make her final resting place. 

  While I knew then that a tumor had been detected, no prognosis was available until after the operation, so I reneged on disclosing the entire facts to my family. I wrestled for several days with that decision, but when the anesthesiologist called to confirm the actual events to take place, and that process required help transporting me from the operation (general anesthesia), I finally closed the gap with my wife. Gauging the overall time of waiting and worrying over a pending prognosis with the blissful ignorance of not knowing led me to wait until the last minute to reveal my situation. Given the circumstances again, I’d do the same. 

  That was Thursday two weeks ago. While I had initially told my lovely wife and kids that I had the tests conducted, the kids didn’t know of the presence of a tumor. So Saturday I took a ride on my bike to close that loop. 

  It’s a cleansing thing for me when stressed to ride and have the wind in my face, with the world and where I fit in it at my own beck and call. I traveled the county, stopped by to see Sadie at the farm, finding that my brother had placed a stone on Sadie’s resting place, and then visited each of my offspring in turn to tell them the news of my situation. 

  My oldest lives out of town and I had called him that Friday preceding and explained the situation. He and each took the news with Grace and provided encouragement I greatly needed. 

  The following Monday morning found me with my steadfast wife on my arm preparing for the procedure. 

  The operation was successful in that they were able to remove a thumb sized tumor from my bladder and all appeared well. A biopsy would take several days and the process left me also with several days convalescents required to heal. Those days will leave me forever grateful that God gave me this lovely wife to share our lives, the good and bad of it. She was, and is a trooper  

  That time has passed. While minor complications were endured, the outcome was overwhelmingly positive. An appointment this week with the docs revealed that the tumor was completely removed and tests revealed it to be a low grade cancer, with prognosis indicating nothing more than observation over the next few months to monitor my condition. No chemo or radiation needed. Praise God. 

  Which leads me to today. Where, after a couple of short non stress work days and a weekend free, lead me to take another ride this afternoon to clear my head and get some perspective. 

  I rode out to the farm and visited Sadie again. Spending some time with her, and talking to her as I always have, as a friend and companion, leaves me with a certain sense of peace. Knowing, that through it all, storms may come, and in fact they may intensify in the passing, but if we let Him, God has His providence over our lives and those storms will pass. 

  I know that Sadie is at peace, I and my family have weathered another storm, and we are stronger for it and more prepared for those that are sure to come. 

  For all of you who may have known a storm was upon us, but not the details, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and well wishes. For they were legion, successful and God will surely Bless you for the undertaking. #Peace