It's About Time

This is simply amazing that I haven't given an update in almost a lifetime, so here goes. Right now I am 6 months out of radiation treatment. What am I on the all-too-familiar one-to-ten pain scale? Well, I ride pretty consistently around a 3 or 4. I am not in favor of taking pain meds because I have taken them for a while. However, the pain that I feel, seems to be strictly some nerve damage, probably some due to both surgeries, and the rest to radiation. The best part is that I believe the pain is slowly dissipating. I have been working out a lot and doing large amounts of physical therapy; and for the first time in a year I have been running. Last Friday I actually ran a mile! Praise God!

As for the Navy, I am currently in a somewhat medical limbo period before I can be cleared to return to submarines. All of this PT is aiding in improving my physical strength and reducing the nerve pain, both of which I would like to have occur prior to returning to duty. Both my neurosurgeon and oncologist today have recommended that I be allowed to return to full duty, so that is a huge step in obtaining a medical waiver from the Navy. I recently missed what would have been my last patrol (deployment), so if I were to obtain a waiver, I would have a strong chance of rolling into shore duty (don't go to sea for 2 years). Still, everything is up in the air, I could be disqualified for submarine duty, whereas we would probably transfer to another community in the Navy, or I could resume my professional soccer career at the ripe age of almost 27, with two spinal laminectimies and one ACL replacement under my belt. It could happen. Or maybe go back to school or do something else.

I believe that God does things for very specific reasons and at even more specific times. Of course, this is not a new idea because it is painted all throughout the Bible, and probably visible in your own life, but this whole bout with cancer and having to receive radiation treatment, which originally could have made me sterile, inspired my wife Meredith and I to face some tough issues--primarily trying to have children (we have always wanted them, but of course, not right now). Well let me tell you, it must have been time. Because come November, we will be having a little boy around! We are so excited for this awesome gift! It is even more exciting to think that what could have done serious damage to me and my family, God used to build our family. Why should we ever doubt? He knows the plans He has for us, to prosper and not to harm us, and to give us a hope and a future...and we will seek Him and find Him when we seek Him with all of our hearts. And we will find Him. Jeremiah 29:11-14.

I hope that you can see His timing. It's totally perfect, it's when we truly need it. Take hold. Genesis 45