Let's Make a Deal!

'That's great!' my brother told me. I said 'I told you I have cancer and you tell me that's great? Thanks!' Then we shared a quick laugh.We were talking about the news from my biopsy last week where we learned that I have cancer.

Mark had made his comment in reference to the fact that I have a different cancer than my last one. Getting that one back would have made for a difficult meeting with my doctor. The odds of successful treatment would have been very poor.Instead I have a new and different cancer. One which while still very dangerous, is far more treatable and curable. Oddly it is a cancer far more common among smokers. Maybe I'm paying a pretty high price for that golf course cigar I had 10 years ago. Even then, like Bill Clinton, I promise you I did not inhale!

The other piece of good news I got was that the doctor told me it would be a good thing to gain a little weight. When was the last time a doctor told you that? So last night at the company dinner at Gorat's I ordered the large filet to go with the onion rings, bread, spaghetti, baked potato and salad (with blue cheese dressing). I think I almost OD'd on that prescription.

Treatment will consist of tests to make the cancer hasn't spread, chemo, possible radiation (I still glow from my last radiation so they may not be able to do more) and then surgery to remove impacted lymph nodes and tonsils. All this fun begins yet this week with a visit to my oncologist.

On a lighter note, while I waited for this great news, I decided to take Luther's example of making deals with God when in grave danger. Hey, it worked for him and Luther later honored his promise to enter a monastery when saved from a lightning storm. I made some promises as well, none of which involved a monastery which my wife and kids will be happy to learn. But the idea of God playing a Holy, Almighty Monty Hall on Let's Make a Deal didn't seem to fit any Scripture I could remember. To the contrary I later remembered Jesus saying He could have the rocks and stones praise Him if no one else did - so it turned out God didn't need any of my crisis provoked promises. I then thought about how much I don't like rocks and stones.

God did seem to indicate He was pleased with my additional efforts to contact Him during this dangerous time. He also seemed to wonder why I wasn't always this communicative, why I wasn't always so interested in talking and listening to Him. I rubbed my temples like Steve Spurrier in a Husker game and mentioned that He made a good point and promised (yet again) to do better.

On a serious note, a couple of thoughts come to mind from this that I would like to share with you. First, God has a plan for each of us. And the length of that plan here on earth is not our decision- no matter how hard we may pray or the crazy deals we may offer up. We all know many great people who God has given short times to and that clearly speaks to His will, not their faith or promises or actions.

Secondly, life is short no matter what. We really are the Biblical mist and grass that perish so quickly. The cancer of sin results in our death. So live today for Him. Live like you made a deal with God even though He's the One who made the deal, sealed the deal and honored the deal. Talk with Him, listen to Him, praise Him, love Him, and love others- that's your deal! He gives you the faith to take action in these areas. I'll keep you informed of my health status as events merit, but know this, no matter what, no matter if this news may change during my treatment, my eternal prognosis is great. So is yours if you do not toss aside the faith He has given you. Difficult news becomes no less sad in this light, but it does bring comfort and peace and hope. May God grant each of us an extra measure of His love and Holy Spirit this week as we run this short race.

Blest Regards,
kp