Ted Kennedy, the 3rd longest-serving senator in history, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in May, 2008 and underwent surgery and a grueling regimen of of radiation and chemotherapy. So by my calculations he survived 15 months after diagnosis. Cancer is no respector of people.
I met another colon cancer victim - (is that the right word? - what do you call us?) at the hospital yesterday. He is 42 years old. He had no idea he had it until it was too late and into stage 4. It has spread to his liver. He is messed up bad - just like I am. But you know what he said to me? He was grateful it hadn't spread to his brain. Wow. That set me back a little in my thinking. But what is this at age 42? How do you prevent this? Who would thing you should get colonoscopies starting at age 40?
So it brings one up short thinking about all this - survival. What a word. Enduring under adverse conditions is a dictionary definition that I'll go with. So I looked up cancer surviors on-line and found lots of web sites. Becoming a cancer survivor is the greatest challenge of my life. I'll try to do what I can. And trust the Lord for the rest.
My prayers go out to the Kennedy family and all others who have suffered from this horrible disease. My prayer is that God raises up scientists that can discover cures and preventions. What a field to go into. Are we challenging our youth in highschool to target becoming research scientists in this field? I hope so.
Stay tuned - Gary
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Gary,
ReplyDeleteI love these blogs. You are a great writer--ever think of writing editorials/opinion pieces for a newspaper?
You could write a book about being a cancer SURVIVOR--that's my prayer for you.
Jen
That is a fantastic idea! Isn't that girl a smartie?!! I agree, you write very well. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteJune
Enjoyed visiting with you last night. I will send some lake pictures soon. Hey, no more hamburger talk, it makes me hungry in the mid-morning.Jared
ReplyDeleteDear Gary,
ReplyDeleteI will always remember one day in my church, one of the members had stood up to give a praise report. Her daughter had to translate, as the woman was from Africa and didn't speak very good English. Anyway, the doctor had entered her hospital room and announced he was sorry to inform her, but she had cancer and there was really nothing that could be done. The old lady (78 yrs young at the time) jumped up from the bed, screaming "Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!" The doctor, very confused, said, "I'm sorry, I think you misunderstood me, but you're dying of cancer." She politely responded, "Oh no, I didn't misunderstand you, I'm just thankful that now I know what to go home and pray for! And quite honestly, I think I'll listen to my doctor (God) instead!" And she walked out of the room. She lived for 11 years after that! I will never forget that little old lady's face as her daughter translated, as she was grinning from ear to ear! She was so content and happy, and showed remarkable strength.
Another woman from the church (about a year later) had prepared for the removal of a brain tumor the size of a grapefruit. She had had many tests done and the night before her surgery, she and her husband prayed continuously. The next day at the hospital, the technician took a current X-ray for the Dr. to have during surgery...then he came back and took another one, then another one, and another one and to their dismay, they couldn't find the tumor. So there never was a surgery and she left the hospital a few hours later since there was nothing to operate on.
I don't know how God will have you, or any of us for that fact, leave this earth. But I do know this - We are loved, we are strong, we are faithful, we are believers and we don't give up! And when that day comes for all of us, the one thing I do know for sure, is that we're going home and will see each other again.
I pray for your strength, for God's healing and that when you feel like giving up, you call me and we'll pray together! I LOVE YOU GARY! Marianne
Hey Double G,
ReplyDeleteIt was good to see you when you came to visit work a couple weeks ago. You looked pretty great and you still had that ornery smile. I'll keep you in my prayers, you taught me a lot. I wish I had more time so I could drop by and chat. We'll have to meet up for lunch or something and catch up. Take care my friend.
Rich