Gratitude

How am I doing?  What’s going on?

As many of you know, today was my follow-up doctor appointment.  I wasn’t able to get the MRI done today so didn’t get the real scoop on the tumor status, but I am scheduled for an MRI next Monday (6/18) and should hear results within a couple days.  Instead of an MRI, today’s appointment included interaction with the specialist and a new hearing test.  The specialist seemed pleasantly surprised that my symptoms had not changed since my original diagnosis.  He also reported that there was the potential that I could maintain “functional hearing” in my right ear, and while they didn’t really understand all the factors that influenced the result that the patient’s initial hearing strength was a more significant indicator than tumor size.  This was new information and certainly encouraging.   

Following the hearing test, the audiologist reported that while my right hear was slightly worse than my left, my hearing was within normal parameters for my age.  She asked about my symptoms and how I was originally diagnosed.  My only symptom was, and continues to be a slight pressure and slight hearing loss in my right ear.  The audiologist expressed her surprise that an MRI had originally been ordered and that it was very fortunate that it had been and that the acoustic neuroma had been caught so early.

I could complain about having to drive 45 minutes to this specialist, having to wait 20 minutes past my scheduled appointment time to get into the exam room, waiting another 10 minutes for the doctor to come and having to pay a $35 co-pay for a 7 minute interaction, BUT, I am grateful.  I am grateful to have access to health care that both found this relatively rare condition and offers options for dealing with it. 

Grateful is also the word I’d use to describe all the prayers and encouragement offered by friends and family.  Thanks to my brother-in-law and wife for spearheading and coordinating today’s day of prayer.  It’s humbling knowing that people are praying.  I certainly don’t feel worthy of the special attention and it’s hard to admit and ask for help.  Taya used SignUpGenius to organize today’s prayer and it brought another level of humbling gratitude.  There were expected friends and family, but there were also people that I haven’t interacted with in years and years – “a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith.”  I’m grateful that Christ binds us together, regardless of the various circumstances and paths that separate.   

So, how am I doing?  Regardless of the outcome of next week’s MRI, I am encouraged and grateful. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.       Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)