Have I mentioned what a great doctor I have at the University of Iowa Cancer Clinic? Just returned from a trip to homeland Portugal, she was concerned for the backsliding in my recovery. Recovery from Leukemia is a long, difficult and unpredictable battle. The extreme fatigue, lack of appetite, and persistent GI problems (all in a vicious cycle no doubt) had her inclined to bring me back to the hospital for more intensive inpatient treatment. As much good care I received there, I desperately would like to continue to recuperate at home. So in the end we agreed to a change of medications, an endoscopy to be scheduled soon, and a return evaluation in one week. (I had just graduated to two-week visits.) If no improvements, then I will most likely need to agree to re-hospitalization. But I feel like I am on the cusp of a positive turnaround. Thank you for continued prayers. The good news is that my platelets doubled to nearly 33% of normal and other blood counts while low, are slowly increasing.

I am reminded of a story about a man named Naman who had leprosy. (2 Kings 5) He was offered a clear path to healing but it wasn’t the one he would have chosen. “Why not this other path?” he asked. But the path to healing doesn’t always make sense to us and we usually aren’t in charge.

Our job isn’t to design the path, but rather to remain faithful. This is our primary work, and more important than all our other works combined.

Faithfulness in all things matters more than you may imagine. Enjoy the fruit that faithfulness brings.