2019 - It's time for an update.

It's been 15 years of being NHL free. Sadly surviving lymphoma has moved down so far on my list of everyday thoughts that I have really neglected the blog. I have wanted to write, even if not regularly - but find myself putting it off.
I am now faculty at CMC, Vellore with paediatric Surgery and Anne works with the community health department as the obstetrician at CHAD. Both the boys are well and are in 8th std and 3rd Std respectively.
Working as a consultant in  Paediatric Surgery at CMC is fulfilling with the teaching, surgery, and challenges of helping out with our various peripheral centers as well. Anne and I have tried to use whatever chances we have to help mission hospitals around the country. Khariar in Orissa was the last exciting place we went as a family and was a blessed time.
My work in paediatric surgery has been an opportunity to both improve my skills - in the process be a better surgeon as well as share some hope with parents of kids with malignancy. Now with the availability of the internet on our hand-held devices, most parents (and even the kids themselves) are familiar with my blog/story and often mention that they had read parts of my journey.
Is there relevance of maintaining a blog once you are well? I'm not entirely sure of that answer. I know of many of my cancer journey partners, who chose to continue writing. Updates help someone who looks at the blog as a resource for treatment and planning for the future to make realistic plans for their future. Apart from some small memory jogs back to times of being sick, there is really nothing in my day to day life that would make me remember that I went through chemotherapy and radiation. An that is not always a good thing. "lest we forget..." - often written on war memorials, is a reminder that a reminiscence of harder times occasionally is a good thing. Being able to list all the good things God has done and say thanks is an exercise we easily omit. I am able to pull out pictures and pass on encouragement, to children I am treating. Large hospitals like CMC, can be daunting if you are already struggling with coming to terms with a disease. Millions of things race through your mind - how long to take off work, how do I arrange finances, Is this all worth the effort?. A word of encouragement by someone who's walked the way and is going to partner you through it will really help.
'break my heart for what breaks yours' - words from a song "Hosanna - Hillsong". Maybe good words to keep our hearts ready to respond to those around us in need.