I have every respect for the NHS. They've done a very efficient job of discovering, diagnosing and then treating the cancer in my Oesophagus.
But this progress is in danger of getting a little bogged down in the wait for surgery.
The hospital's ITU department remains shut down after this bug and can only re-open once the last patient has been sent home and following a deep-clean, so there's a way to go before its business as usual.
Today, i spoke to both nurse Jo and the "upper GI admissions officer" at the BRI to find out more.
It turns out the new surgery date i have been given (27th - 2 weeks over target) is a calculated guess, assuming that the ITU department can open mid-next week. So it could be earlier, but it could also be later...
Nobody knows how it will progress from here. The medical staff are scratching their heads, and there is a list of patients, each as desperate as i am to be rid of cancer. Each needs an operation and then an ITU bed.
There's no talk/thought of leapfrogging my way up the list, but its quite unsettling that the way ahead is so unclear. I am remaining in close contact with nurse Jo regarding this and other potential options (relocating surgery etc).
Anyway, rather than festering in Bath, we are going to use this "breathing space" to spend some time with Claudia's family in Germany. Claudia and the boys will be travelling back with her parents on Wednesday. I will be joining them after a week or so.
In all of this i'm feeling normal physically, but emotionally, a little adrift.
The ongoing support we receive is amazing. The overflow of this into Darren's life has been quite extraordinary. There'll be an update on that later in the week.
I'd love to say that my prayer times are blossoming and that i currently have my nose buried in the bible. That would be wishful thinking. But i'm adopting verse 14 of my oesophageal cancer treatment Psalm (27) to help stabilise my mind in its adrift-ness(!?!)
"Wait for the Lord.
Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord"
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Hey Pete,
ReplyDeleteThis delay sucks!
...and I was looking forward to seeing lots of you at the BRI, I only work round the corner in the university! I hope you do come to Bristol for the surgery. I was asking around, one of my closest friends from our small group is a nurse on the ward that you would be in. She says at least one if not two of the consultants that could be involved are Christians too!
It's hard to understand the delay but I read this today:
'Oh the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God;
How unsearchable his judgements,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has know the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counsellor?
Who has ever given to God that God should repay him?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory for every!
Amen.'
Romans 11:33-36
We might not understand what God is doing or why he does it, but we do know that the depths of his riches and his love for us are immeasurable! He doesn't lavish his love on us because he needs to or because we deserve it, he just chooses to. Amazing!!!
I pray that even in the 'waiting' you will be so aware of the riches of His grace that surround you on every side and you will 'soar on wings like eagles'.
Lots of love to you all
Sarah x