That's the quarter-sized device surgically inserted into a vein by Mom's upper chest. It stayed under her skin for an entire year, and was how the nurses accessed Mom's circulatory system to give her chemo treatments, (by sticking a needle in through the skin, into the port).
The procedure was very quick. They did a local numbing, cut in, got it out, and sewed her back up. We're so thankful for our great doctors and very kind nurses.
It was a significant event, signaling a finish of all the chemo treatments.
We thank and praise God, our Healer.
There was a beautiful snow fall this morning; light, fluffly flakes.
Then we drove to another part of St. Vincent's campus for Mom's mammogram. We watched the 44th President's inauguration festivities, prayed for the country, and said, "Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day," to people.
Finally, it was off to Maggiano's, a tasty Italian restaurant, to celebrate. We used a gift card provided by one of Mom's students, which was an extra special gift for the day.
During our meal, we shared things that we remembered from the past year.
I remembered sitting with Mom before her first chemo treatment, and I was worried about whether or not we should let them pour all those 'harmful' (also treating) chemicals into her body. We received a text from my uncle saying he had been praying for Mom that morning and saw a picture of angels around her chair. Praise God.
Mom remembered the nurse leaning forward that day, and a cross necklace dangling out into the light.
She also remembers the nurse asking if she wanted any 'happy juice' to take the edge off any pain. Mom took a little and wrote a bunch of funny texts to her co-workers.
Dad remembers when Mom got the call when we were out in California, at Universal Studios, and the family immediately gathered around her to pray.
There are many, many more memories, and treasured moments from this past year.
Today, at the mammogram place, there was a Mission statement of St. Vincent's hospital, and it said, "We recognize Jesus as the Healer."
It reminds me of something my sister-in-law said. She has learned that we go to doctors for treatments and to God for healing.
Our chemo doctor said, "Pray for us [doctors]. We are only men."
Our oncologist said, "Thank God, these are the best results you could hope for."
I remember the runner's bib, "I am the cure."
Yes, Jesus, the Great I AM, the One who revealed himself to Moses, saying, "I Am the LORD who heals you."
So we praise this healing God, this present-one, our Savior, Redeemer, Friend, Creator, Sustainer, Beautiful One.
And we get to pass along a message of hope to people at various stages in their own journey. A woman today at the mammogram place had tears in her eyes of her concern about her biopsy. We were there a year ago, and were able to give her words of encouragement from our own story.
"Read Psalm 91, that's a good one," I told her.
“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
“I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!” (The Message version, Psalm 91:14-16)
