Cycles

 Just over a week ago, I was in the grip of intense pain. I finally called the triage nurse, who kindly reminded me to drink more fluids and take my pain medicine. I’m still asking myself how I could have completely forgotten about taking pain medicine when I was in such excruciating pain.

So, I followed her orders and found blessed relief from the pain if I took Tylenol #3 around the clock, which left me in a codeine haze. I dozed and slept, dozed and slept for the next few days, waking just enough to keep drinking water and protein drinks, and eating small meals.

I am grateful to have eased out of that cycle and hope to never repeat it.

Yesterday, I finished another cycle: completing the second of two physical therapy appointments that covered best practices to avoid lymphedema. I’m doing the daily stretches to help my lymphatic system keep up its good work. I know to do a daily visual check of my arms and hands to see if there are any changes, and I’ve learned how to measure my arms each month to keep track of any swelling that may occur.

And today, October 30, my hair started falling out as I shampooed it. Though I’ve been expecting to lose my hair any time now, the handful in the shower drain still shook me up. Within the hour, I went to Great Clips to have my head shaved. It was the first time I’ve driven in over a week. As I backed out of the driveway, I started to sing, and God buoyed me up with joy as I thanked him for feeling well enough to drive, joked with him, and praised him. “Give Me Jesus” is one of my favorite songs. Each short stanza ends with these words: “You can have all this world but give me Jesus.” I sang, “You can have all my hair but give me Jesus,” and laughed out loud.

Who would think of joy and laughter about getting my head shaved? That was God’s gift of joy in the moment. I got to share that joy when my friend Veloy called, and in interacting with the Great Clips staff. That’s the neat thing about God’s joy: uncontainable, it bubbles up and spills out to others.

Back at home, after a delicious lunch supplied by Hopestone Cancer Center, I’m ready for a nap and looking forward to grocery shopping later, covering my freshly shaved head with my pretty purple cap (also supplied by Hopestone).