Grab your Kleenex boxes. I just listened to Taylor Swift singing about her mom's returning cancer. Worth looking up the lyrics to this one. But here have a listen: https://youtu.be/tMoW5G5LU08
I've had a couple of conversations over the last few weeks about caregivers to cancer survivors. The struggles that they have, the emotional rollercoaster, and how differently people react to cancer. She captures it well. When the singer says that this is too personal to sing in public, you know the song comes from the heart.
I didn't make a big deal out of it but at my last checkup my liver function tests were out of whack. Because this can be an indication of afatnib affecting my liver a followup test was scheduled two weeks later. And the numbers were back in line. One time when I was grateful not to have a call from my oncologist!
There were a lot of mental struggles around my First Aid certification. Am I going to be around long enough to justify the expense? Can I actually do the new course? Do I have the mental and physical stamina to make it through ten 8 hour days? Will I have to get a doctor to certify my health? Will he - given all my little body failures - give me the green light to proceed?
After I got the news that my cancer tumours were shrinking and some had disappeared. And after the satisfaction of dealing with a serious first aid incident, I decided to go for the certification. When I dropped in to hand over my money and to pick up my books, I completed my registration form. I ticked respiratory illness (part of a long list). That tick triggered the requirement for a formal medical exam by a doctor.
Trying to get an appointment wasn't working so I decided to drop-in. So early Friday morning at the end of the first week of class I stopped in. I discovered that my GP was going on vacation for the next three weeks so he was crazy busy. But they found time for me. I was impressed again by his thoroughness. Even on a busy day he went through the medical form carefully examining me and asking a myriad of questions. On the report of remission he was happy to certify me. Hurdle one crossed.
I started class with much fear and trembling. I had had a briefing on some of the changes but no one had mentioned that the program had been completely rewritten. Perhaps the biggest single change was protocols related to spinal injuries and the old rigid spine boards. Much of the previous protocol reflected spinal immobilization for any suspected spinal injury. A new "NEXUS" protocol means that we now have the ability to make a reasonable decision based on examination and questioning before preparing a patient for transport, so-called "packaging." Combined with the use of clamshell stretchers the process is vastly simplified. It will be interesting to see how long industry takes to adopt the stretchers.
There were other mental challenges. I was glad I had chosen to take the full two week course instead of challenging or taking a shorter refresher course. The brain rewiring required was extensive. I have gotten 100% on the written final exam three times in the past. I didn't do that this time and I think that was a reflection of mental acuity and my memory being diminished.
Part of taking the course for me was to see if I could physically do the work. The answer was yes. CPR was a particular worry. I was concerned that the mastectomies in some way would weaken my chest muscles and make chest compression difficult. I was quite gratified when I looked around the class and realized that I was not struggling nearly as much as most of the other students. In addition the instructor showed us some simple tricks to provide relief for ourselves.
In the end I passed. Not the top of the class though with my challenges I was very happy with my performance. So I"m able to do First Aid for another three years. When I looked at the renewal date on my certificate, I mused out loud that I probably wouldn't be around to see that. My class mates immediately started planning the reunion class recertification. Very encouraging.
I texted several people that I had passed, in particular people that I had talked to about the challenges. As I was scrolling through the address book, I saw Yvette's name and the tears just welled up. I'd like to think she is happy with how well I'm doing.
Evan's visit on his way back to Edmonton was far too short. We did manage to get some more walks in and had a lot of fun talking about his experiences as an instructor. His evaluation mentioned that he seemed to have a folksy saying for every occasion. Wonder who he got that from? This time we actually dragged the plant book out a few times and had the joy of identifying some new plants. Though horse chestnut is hardly new I didn't immediately recognize this particular iteration - it was young and looked like an exotic shrub.
I'm always amazed at the beautiful creation we live in. In Mark 6:30,31 (The Message) Jesus has been teaching all day and he says " 'Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.' For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat." As we head into this long weekend, take a break and see this wonderful world we live in and reflect on God's glory.
Thank you again and again for your wonderful support and prayers.