Testing

This is a week of testing. I had a PET scan on Monday, am going to have a CT and Muga test today, an endoscopy on Wednesday and a midterm in my philosophy class on Thursday. The medical tests are to help determine what is going on in my body. The peptic ulcers have continued to give me problems and I started a new chemotherapy about 5 weeks ago. The tests should help the doctors see if the cancer is responding to the chemo and if the ulcers have been improving. The philosophy midterm is an apologetics class I started taking toward my next degree. I am really enjoying the class and it is therapy for me.

I haven't posted anything in my blog for a while because I just didn't know what to say. My medical situation has become so complicated that even one of my doctors have told me he was baffled. The ulcers aren't "normal" ulcers; they were caused by the radiation and a virus. The virus, CMV, is difficult to treat since there isn't really a cure. One idea is to treat it with an anti-viral medication, but the side-effect of that treatment is a very weakened immune system. If I pursue this medication I run the risk of not being strong enough to take the chemotherapy.

So that is why I am undergoing all these tests. Hopefully we'll get some answers. I would guess that the results will be back in about a week, so I'll try to write back when I know more. In the meantime I appreciate your prayers. I know that we all have times of testing. There are different types of tests such as financial, emotional, spiritual, and physical, but enduring them can make us stronger. I am still reminded of what Jesus said to his disciples. My paraphrase is this, "In this world you will have tests and trials, but cheer up because I have overcome the world." Testing is part of living in this world. Overcoming is part of living with Jesus.