I've noticed today that there is a difference in how I feel compared to my previous experiences after chemotherapy. Fatigue is the primary result of the medications I received. That fatigue is most evident physically. I can do do a few things but I rapidly tire. I have not lost strength, just energy. I know through the rhythm of recovery that my energy will eventually return.

The good news, as my wife likes to say, is that I do not have emotional fatigue. I am more aware of what is happening to my body. My anxiety is less because I know more about the treatment and the response of my body. I have evidence that the treatment is working. I do not feel like I am surrounded by mystery. Knowledge is power.

And today has been another day of watching Judy garden. I think she is having creative fun. I know we are both anticipating the beauty that will soon appear in color and form. She even bought me a Japanese Red Maple today that we need to think about where it could be planted. Put our imagination to work. Good days ahead.

My primary side effect during the first week to 10 days after each chemotherapy treatment is fatigue and low energy. I have managed to care for the side effects I experienced after the first treatment: mouth sores/thrush, digestive issues, and bone pain. But there is little I can do about the fatigue. Rest is not much of a remedy as I don't really have a choice as I do give in to a nap when I get very tired. There's a bit of mental fog as well that I have illustrated with this photo through the window shade to our deck in the late afternoon sunlight. I know what it looks like out there and the view is restorative to me, but this week it's like looking through this screen. I did spend some time outside in the lounge chair near the pool as Judy busied herself with planting a number of pots nears the pool fence. I occasionally encouraged her, but she was enjoying the gardening. Fortunatley, she doesn't need my help this week.

Have you noticed recently that the trees are two-toned? The first leaves of spring have been joined by new leaves this week, so the cherry tree in the backyard is two hues of green and the maples trees along the driveway have baby red leaves. The canopy along the back fence doubled overnight in density, creating deep shade. Growth continues.

A friend said yesterday morning that if there were no humans, the plants would take over the planet in mere moments. 

I noted early in this journey that green grows in the cracks. Green has certainly taken over in our little piece of the world. 

I'm also aware of the growth that is occurring during my treatment as the chemotherapy kills cancer and fast-growing cells in my body and the white blood cells bounce back. Life is amazing, resilient.

Today is Michael and Amy's 25th wedding anniversary. Wow! How can that be possible!

A friend, Lynn Taylor, brought this sumptuous bouquet of peonies to our house yesterday to help celebrate our good news from Dr. Thompson.

My blood counts were excellent Monday morning. But the exciting news from Dr. Thompson was that the PET scan revealed my cancer is in clinical remission, "no abnormal uptake". "Perfect!" I had my third chemo treatment Monday and will have my final one four weeks later on June 7. Although I have stage 3 Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma which was detected early, the treatment has worked its magic. I will have another PET scan in late June as well as a repeat endoscopy prior to seeing Dr. Thompson near the end of June. He will refer me to a radiation oncologist who will determine the number of treatments. So July will likely be daily trips for radiation. Dr. Thompson was as excited as we were. 

Another friend said this morning, "All you gotta do is show up, and the docs do the rest!" And another added, "Prayers and a smart oncologist are a powerful combination!" Indeed, it is certainly working for me. Long range, I will be monitored every three months for the first year, and with longer time spans for the next five years. But after two encounters with different cancers within a short amount of time, I am hopeful, grateful, blessed, amazed, excited. I awoke early Tuesday. My joy has increased. Planning for the fall, where shall we go?

Today is my third chemotherapy treatment. Honestly, I do not want to do this again. After experiencing two chemo sessions, I know what I am facing with the third and how I will feel for the two weeks following. It's no fun. 

I do want to be well. I do want the cancer to be gone. And I know the medication cocktail must be doing what is necessary to kill the cancer cells. I will find out for certain today as I should hear the results of the PET scan that was performed on Friday. I should know the effect of the cumulative chemotherapy sessions on my cancer today. And it will probably be good news, at least I hope so.

I've included this photo to encourage me to have healthy snacks today. From past experience, I don't have much of an appetite on treatment day nor for several days. Today I may have a better sense of the treatment plan going forward as well. Good stuff could still happen today.

The Common Lectionary readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter include Psalm 98, Acts 10:44-48, John 15:9-17, and 1John 5:1-6. Today is my turn to teach Sunday School via Zoom. We will all be glad to be back together in person some day. I suspect my cancer treatments will keep me out of the classroom longer than the wonderful day when the class can finally gather. My anticipation is already building for that probable Sunday in late summer or early autumn.

The Acts passage is the first instance of "all" meaning ALL when the message of God's love spreads beyond the Hebrew nation to the Gentiles. The non-Jewish listeners to Peter's message respond with exuberant praise which astonished the Jewish disciples. 

The 15th chapter of the Gospel of John explores the significance of being chosen for friendship by Jesus. And that followers of Jesus are to love as Jesus loves. Wouldn't that be amazing if the Church loved as Jesus loved? Too many examples demonstrate that's not true yet.

Psalm 98 is an exuberant hymn of praise that extends throughout creation.

The instruction in 1John 5 is to love those within the Church which is a constrained command for a group facing persecution. It seems to me that the Church fails to even love those within the Church.

Hopefully, this morning's class could be a fun discussion.

It's tempting to consider one's situation as unique. Easy to think you alone are experiencing this life-altering event. 

But it's simply not true. Many before you have traveled this road and there will be many after your journey.

You are not alone.

Surrounded, wrote the author of the Letter the Hebrews, by a great cloud of witnesses.

Google and various social media demonstrate that one's experience is not solitary.

Two observations:

My experience may not be the same as yours but it is not wholly unique. We can learn from each other's journey.

And we are supported by a large group of encouragers who care about us and want us to succeed.

Not alone. Never was. Never will be.

The image below of Autumn Ferns, cultivar "Brilliance", was shot with a macro lens at f/2.8 which results in a very narrow depth of field. One frond is sharply in focus while surrounding ones are shown in varying softness and the play of light even sends some into the shadows. Our experience is sharply apparent to us, sometimes to the exclusion of others. But I hope this photo represents we are not alone.

I made it to the Frist to see the Picasso exhibit! Yes, I have lost hair, haven't shaved my face in about three weeks! Exciting to be out doing normal things, although everyone inside was masked. Still, the Frist is always a joy for us. Pan down to see more exhibit photos.

Creating the American West in Art. "The Rabbit Hunt" by E. Martin Hemmings

"Reading Woman" by Picasso

Titled "Man with an Ax" by Liana Porter, is this the result of a music hater?