If you have been reading this blog for the last couple of weeks, you know that my husband has a new cancer diagnosis. So I can call January a monster of a month. We actually received his diagnosis by phone call on December 29 – while driving back from a visit with our grandkids in Illinois. Most of the days since tonsil cancer has consumed us.
Chuck visited a speech language pathologist for a swallow study. His surgeon wanted a baseline for comparison should surgery and treatment damage his swallow function or vocal cords. He will do exercises to keep them in the best shape possible. He squeezed in a dental cleaning (he will have to be much more diligent with hygiene due to the harsh nature of his radiation). Two wisdom teeth came out on January 7th for this very reason.
On Monday the 10th, Chuck had his tonsils removed. Boy does he wish he had them out as a kid. The recovery kicks adults in the teeth (or throat to be exact). During recovery, he ended up in the ER with elimination issues and kidney stones. Bless.
He met with his radiology oncologist to lay out plan of treatment, followed by a planning/ imaging appointment to prepare for radiation. We met with his medical oncologist and got the 411 on his chemo plan. The basics anyway. We still have an education session to come. Several other appointments, the details of which I won’t bore you with, comprise the preparation phase of his treatment. And while I finish this, he is having his third surgery – this one to place a feeding tube to ensure he can get the proper nutrition once this regimen starts to take its toll.
Radiation starts on Monday the 31st and chemo the next day.
Monster Outings
Now that you are all caught up, let’s talk about the non-cancer stuff. Whew. We drove down to see my in-laws the last few days of December. They babysat for Chuck and I to go out with his brother and sister-in-law for New Year’s Eve. They are much younger and cooler than us, but we hung in there the best we could. Yummy dinner, putt-putt at Putt Pub and dessert at a wine bar. Then “Happy New Year”! At 11pm.
On New Year’s Day we watched my Baylor Bears beat Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl! And we got to do it with friends. Sic ‘Em! We saw American Underdog at a theater. Fantastic movie. I only wish I had enjoyed the Dallas Cowboys for a football trifecta. But alas, they disappointed again. I did attended a lovely couple’s wedding shower a week later for the daughter of a dear friend. Chuck stayed home recovering.
Monster Entertainment
We celebrated our 23rd anniversary with two different dates. One before Chuck’s oral surgery. Some sweet friends gave us a gift card to a steak house so nice that we had never been. Honestly one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. Then 5 days after his tonsillectomy, we bit off more than we could chew. Chuck chose pasta (soft and slippery), but he still couldn’t choke it down. We boxed it up and went to a drive thru for a milkshake. Then we hit up West Side Story. He slept through most of it. But I enjoyed the music and dancing. My other half just needed to rest and recover a little more.
The girls’ school got canceled for two days due to covid, so I took Shelby to see Sing 2 to get us out of the house. If you love music, it is darling.
Our church held Prayer and Praise nights every Friday this month and the youth led one week. Which means our Allie helped with worship. One of my favorite things ever. And dear friends came with us to share the experience.
At home we watched the Netflix original movie Yes Day. Was a cute and silly distraction. Jim Gaffigan’s new comedy special, as well as one from Nate Bargatze, made us laugh and we started the series Imposters (also on Netflix) and The Book of Boba Fett on Disney+.
As this goes to press, I anxiously await my daughter’s first school theatre production, Thoroughly Modern Millie. She has worked hard, long hours but loved every minute of it. And we have many family members coming to cheer her on as well.
Monster Comfort
I can’t conclude without sharing what has gotten me through this monster of a month. The company and thoughtfulness of others. Chuck’s parents pulled their RV up the highway and moved into a campground close by to help us with the kids or appointments and anything else we’ve needed. A visit from my parents and my twin sister and Chuck’s brother and sis-in-law boosted our spirits, and so many sweet friends provided meals for us. And prayers. The prayers of many encourage us more than I can express.
What else is sustaining us? Our powerful and loving Heavenly Father. No matter what we go through, He walks alongside us. More accurately, He carries us. With Him, we can do hard things. If you feel led to petition Him on my husband’s behalf, I would be so grateful. And as always, I love you, I thank you, and I pray February treats you well.
And now for this month’s featured post from the link up!
Lois Flowers wrote about my Wednesday focus for the last 9 months – praying God’s Word – in When We’ve Run Out of Words to Pray. My pastor is preaching on it right now as well. When God speaks to me multiple times on the same thing, I listen. Maybe if I listened the first time He wouldn’t have to. But that’s neither here nor there!
1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.
2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.
3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).
We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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Oh Lauren, I’m sorry to hear about Chuck. This IS a monster of a month. Please know that I’m joining all your friends and fans in praying for him …
xo
Thank you so much for the prayers, Linda. And thank you for saying I have fans!
Lauren, what a month! Praying for you and Chuck as you begin the treatment journey on Monday.
Thank you so much for your prayers, Joanne.
What a month for you. I am glad your husband’s surgery went well. I pray his recovery goes well, too. I want to see West Side Story, but no one else in the family is interested. I hope it’s available for rent or streaming soon.
Thank you for the prayers, Barbara. If you like old school musicals, you will like this one.
Lauren, I’ve thought of you and your family so often after I first read about your husband’s diagnosis. Will continue to pray for his treatment and recovery, and also for you as you continue to hold down all the forts. (Phew!) Thanks for sharing my post today … I’m so glad it was timely for you and also so thankful we can pray scripture when we don’t know what else to say. I’ve been wanting to see Sing 2 and American Underdog, so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed them. The ONLY football news around here is Chiefs vs. Bengals on Sunday. (Go Chiefs!!!) 🙂
OK. I’ll root for your chiefs so I no longer have any skin in the game, Lois!
It is beautiful to hear how your family surrounded you and Chuck through the whirlwind. Praying for continue grace as you start this next part of your journey.
Thank you for that prayer, Lisa. I so appreciate it.
What a monster of a month! Thank you for sharing not only the challenging things but also the joyful and comforting things from the month of January. Thanks for linking up at Talent-Sharing Tuesdays.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
I was so excited to find your link up, Carol.
Lauren, I don’t know what people do without God in their lives – anytime but especially during such difficult ones! I’m grateful God is in your life and mine, and I pray He gives us the prayers to pray for our husbands and ourselves in Jesus’ Name.
I don’t know either, Mary. And thank you for that prayer!
Sending Chuck and you healthy thoughts and positive vibes!
Thank you for visiting and reading.
Oh my, I am sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis, but I am glad to hear your testimony. God is faithful and he often works through other believers. May you continue to have the support you need!
Thank you, Carol. My greatest prayer is that God will be glorified through all this.
I am so sorry to hear of Chuck’s diagnosis! That is a monster of a month. It seems you are making the best of it. Best wishes. Thanks for linking up!
Thank you, Sarah.
Lauren, I will be praying for you and Chuck in this Hard season. So grateful to read that you are being sustained by his power.
Always sustained by His power. Thank you, Michele.
Hi, Lauren –
I’m circling back to say “Thank You” for linking up at Talent-Sharing Tuesdays 5.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
“We can do hard things.” Yes. We. Can. I had no idea about the hard thing you are doing as you walk alongside your husband. God is able. I know that truth might be hard to conceive, however, it is the only truth I know that gets me through the hard things I face.
Father God in Jesus’ name, I thank you that you are walking with Lauren and Chuck through this hard season of a cancer diagnosis. May this diagnosis draw them closer to you and closer to each other in a new way. Thank you for supplying everything they need through the love and support of family and friends. Thank you for giving them peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank you for your faithfulness to Lauren and Chuck. We know that you are working all things together for their good. May your will continue to be done in their lives and may their lives point others to the cross. All glory belongs to you.
Amen
Amen! Thank you, Yvonne!
Lauren, praying for you and hubby and that God sustains you during the road ahead. So glad you have support and help. The play Thoroughly Modern Milly is a hoot.
The show was so fun. And I really appreciate your prayers for us.
Definitely a Monster of a Month for you guys Lauren! How wonderful that God dispels the Monsters that come so threatening to us!
Continuing to pray for you, Chuck & family.
Bless you,
Jennifer
Thank you for your prayers, Jennifer.
Lauren, you and Chuck have had a monster of a month! I am so sorry. It sounds like you two have a lot of good support. I hope Chuck’s treatments go as smoothly as they possibly can.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
We are so grateful for our friends and family that come alongside us!