The good news is I now have a pre-op appointment with the University of Iowa Health Center (UIHC) surgeon. The not-so-great news is that it isn’t until December 15, and of course, that leads to the heavy disappointment that the surgery to remove the cancer margins will not likely be until early 2023. I asked to be put on their waitlist in case anything opens up sooner. I emphatically told them I would jump through any hoop they had to make it happen.

As some of you know, there are many moving parts and pieces in my life right now, things in addition to the over-arching theme of tongue cancer. Maybe it is those things that will need my attention in the coming days. I honestly don’t know. But if I am willing to jump through the fiery hoops to move the appointment and surgery dates up, I need to be equally willing to jump through whatever other fiery hoops show up over these next days, weeks, and months.

Let me be honest with you. Dealing with the reality that this tumor is still on my tongue is very, very difficult for me. Every uncomfortable movement of my head or neck, every difficult swallow, every spoken word that does not sound like me, is yet another reminder that it is there. The surgery delay carries possible complications that, quite frankly, are scary.

And yet.

And yet, I have been given this hour and this day to give thanks. I have this day and these weeks to spend time with family and friends. I have these moments, right now, to praise God for all He has done and will do.

Here’s a hymn story I wrote some time ago. I hope you will take the time to read it and let it speak to your heart.