By Sister Janis Yaekel, ASC
I am Sister Janis Yaekel, ASC and I have pancreatic cancer. In fact, I have lived with cancer since 2012. I hope to share in my blog my journey and my reflections on the presence of God in my life. It is my hope that those who read my entries will find strength for their own journeys.
For the first time in a year, I have had to resume chemotherapy treatments for my pancreatic cancer. The side effects have been minimal this time, but with each subsequent treatment, I suspect that there will be more and more issues.
In the meantime, I find myself pondering my crazy journey. My experience with this disease is unlike the usual course of this particular cancer. My oncologist, Dr. Tan, cannot explain why the tumor has remained stable for so long. It is a mystery, but both of us have a strong belief in the God of all mystery and although we may wonder about the state of my tumor, neither of us wonders about the presence of God.
During this treatment mode, I find myself looking forward to events involving family and friends. This weekend, I will travel to Lake of the Ozarks to attend a baby shower for Jessie Koviak, the daughter-in-law of my good friend, Alice. Jessie is due in March.
Normally, attending showers does not excite me, but since Alice is hosting it, I know it will be unique and fun. The following week, I will help celebrate my great niece, Olivia’s first birthday with a party at a sports bar! Again, unique but really when you think of it, you might as well have a party that the adults can enjoy since the baby will not remember the event anyway. Ha, ha!
You know from my past blogs how much I enjoy watching birds at my backyard feeder. After dark, a local raccoon commandeers the feeder. I should go out in the evening and bring the feeder in, but I do not mind feeding the coon. Besides, when darkness falls, other critters sometimes join the raccoon.
Occasionally, I will see a skunk eating the seeds that have fallen to the ground. I really do not want to meet a skunk up close and personal even though I think they are beautiful animals.