July Update
It has been a whirlwind July to say the least!
At the beginning of the month, I had an appointment with the dermatologist for itchy patches on my back (she never looked at them!) because she spotted what she thought was skin cancer on my forehead. It was. Surgery was scheduled for the end of the month.
Mid-month, the whole family came down with covid. Because I take an immunosuppressant, I had five prescriptions to take along with at least five over-the-counter medications. I had it longer than anyone else anyway! And I have long covid symptoms.
As you read in my email, I cannot get any 40 count fabric. I tried a different wholesale distributor but my account had expired and the rep said she wouldn't answer me unless I filled out the account form again. Which I did, and let her know. She still hasn't answered me. Typically there is a 5-week wait for products from them anyway, and they are more expensive.
This week, I had surgery. Since the first day I found out that I had cancer, I have put oil from Saint Nektarios on the biopsy site. When my sons returned from a monastery visit on Monday, one gave me a Saint Panteleimon card and a vial of oil that one of the monks had given him, and I put that on the biopsy site each day too.
Before leaving for surgery, I put both oils on and took a sip of Holy Water. I did the same in the surgery room. During the procedure, I prayed my prayer rope and the Saint Panteleimon prayer card was opened up and lying on me.
The medical assistant told me that the initial cut would be football shaped and at least an inch. Looking at the biopsy, she then said I could expect it to be bigger as it looked deeper. Likely there would be a second round. You know there is not too much skin on a forehead!
After round one, all the cancer was gone. I asked if there had even been any. The doctor gruffly said that since the margin was clear, he didn’t look any further. And there is a 98-99% chance that the cancer will not return.
I truly feel like the cancer was probably all gone. It didn’t sound like they expected to get it first shot and it was clear.
As you can probably guess, there will be a fabric named Nektarios and one named Panteleimon in the future!
Saint Nektarios bio (video): https://www.trisagionfilms.com/saints2/2021/9/7/zf6mykkke7p1deeedf7mlu5haqpc3d
Saint Panteleimon bio (written): https://www.holycross.org/pages/life-holy-great-martyr-healer-panteleimon