Good things are happening as I recover from surgery

       Debbie and I drove to Grinnell last week to run a couple errands and pick up some much needed groceries.
         We stopped at the Dairy Barn for a late lunch and I mentioned to a couple of the young ladies at the cash register that I had cancer surgery a couple weeks ago.
            “Ice cream will help you get through it,” one of the young ladies said.
            She’s right, I love ice cream.
I’ve also learned in life that family and friends are also a big part of the equation. 
            If it wasn’t for all my family and friends flooding Heaven with prayers, I couldn’t have gotten through all this.
           And having a strong, faith-filled wife has been an important part in helping me meet this challenge head on.
            Debbie has been by my side the entire time.
            What a blessing!
            My surgery went well and as the surgeon told me, “I do this all the time.”
Amazingly, I’ve had very little pain from the surgery.
            I was at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines for 10-days and nine-nights.
            I had a number of nurses keeping an eye on me and most were very good at their job.
            In the early going, nurses were poking and prodding me almost hourly. They were constantly checking my blood sugar and drawing blood for this and that.
            I only had one set back in the hospital when I had to have a tube put in my nose to drain my stomach. That was not a pleasant experience. It caused me to get a terrible sore throat and I couldn’t hardly swallow.
           The tube came out three days later and the next day I was able to eat solid food for the first time in a week. I enjoyed toast and bacon for breakfast.
            At the writing of this column, I have been now home for just more than a week.
           Outside of getting tired on an occasion, I have my color back and I’m feeling stronger every day. I have no plans to run a marathon in the future, but I will be back to my old self soon.
        I’m also meeting with an oncologist later this month to talk about going on a six-month regiment of chemo. The surgeon got all the cancer, but there was a strand within the cancer that looked as if it might have tried to spread that caused some concern. The chemo is being suggested as a precaution and to make sure all is clear. I’m going to do what is best for my future.
           And while in the hospital, I wrote a sermon. I didn’t put it on paper, but I have it my heart. You never know what the future holds.
         I’ve reached out to many friends and family via Facebook Messenger, text and by telephone and enjoyed sharing my story and talking about the goodness of God.
           Many shared their thoughts and prayers with me prior to my surgery. Following are what some of my friends and family had to say.
           “We are PRAYING,” a long-time friend wrote. “I believe God led you to all the right places and early so this would be discovered and you can get it out and on the road to healing. Be encouraged that these people are experts and all will go well.”
           “We have been praying for you in my Sunday School class,” wrote a friend of the family. “Love ya and hope you’re back to normal soon.”
         “We will pray that your surgery will go well and that all cancer will be removed,” wrote a friend in Oskaloosa. “Also for quick and complete recovery. I speak peace over you and Debbie.”
            “Prayers for you,” a friend in Tulsa wrote. “God has you and will take care of everything.”
            “Speaking the peace of God over you,” wrote a friend in Brooklyn.
         “We will be praying for you,” wrote a friend and her husband in Tulsa. “We feel confident that the surgery will go well. I know that anxiety of going under the knife. Listen to worship music over and over.”
            My friends sent me a photo of Jesus in the operating room guiding the surgeons. It brought tears to my eyes.
            “Praying for you in this journey,” wrote a cousin in Oklahoma. “I hope they get this figured out and get you back on the road to good health.”
            There are so many more kind words, thoughts and prayers I could share. This is a small sample and I appreciate them all.
            My family and friends make me the richest person in this world.
          I’m already looking forward to a trip this early summer to my native hometown of Tulsa for a cousin reunion. It’s going to be great to see everyone and reconnect.
            Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.