It's a bit strange, waiting to get sick. Usually getting sick is an unpleasant surprise but for the chemo patient getting sick is a known result. Loss of appetite, constant nausea and a lack of energy are all on the way. The good news is after a another fingertip scans it appears all the cancer has either gone or shrunk to a point it can no longer be felt. So this could be my last round of chemo- yea! We'll do a full PET scan at the end of the year to get a final answer.
Health test results are always stressful events. Maybe you know what I mean. My biopsy test results delivered by my surgeon Dr Dobleman, brought good news and bad news. The bad news was I indeed had cancer again. The good news was it was a different more curable form of cancer. So Sherri and I left the doctor's office with an optimistic measure of hope knowing we had the best doctors around who would give me every opportunity to beat this disease a second time!
Hearing the details of these results with my oncologist Dr. Soori provided even more stress as he outlined all the places my cancer had spread to. Most were in my melon and neck with one rouge group setting up shop in my upper armpit. I remember telling doc, 'enough already'! Then some good news, all my organs were cancer-free. Nothing in the lung or kidneys or liver. The bone scan was all clear. Dr. Soori told us this was the most treatable head and neck cancer they see with very high cure rates- way different than my last cancer.
Having cancer or any serious disease I might guess, gives a person a reason to reflect on what is really important in life. I've had a chance to consider this as well. For me, I don't really see many big changes coming as a result. If anything, this adventure has only reaffirmed my priorities of the importance of faith, and my love for family. The importance of faith and hope in the healing process is clear. But the importance of faith for an eternal healing is even more important.
The fact is we all have a big test coming up one day- on the last day. Thinking about that test result can be stressful and cause fear as well. Luther spent years beating himself up over his lack of righteousness, his undeserving performance- and he was monk who spent his days in prayer and study. Thankfully he found in Romans 1 a confidence that Jesus' righteousness is ours if we don't reject it. In short we have the key, the answer to the test- Jesus! Luther turned his fear and stress into a joy and confidence in believing.
Yet Luther still reminds us constantly in the catechism that we are to 'fear and love God above all things'. Here fear means to have a respect, a reverence for God's power and authority. Proverbs 1:7 famously tells us that 'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom'. Want to get smart? Then fear the Lord!
The good news is the fear of God, a respect and reverence for God, frees us from all other fears- even ones related to medical tests. John writes "Fear not, for I am with you. I will never leave you nor forsake, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (Jn 14). Sometimes that's easier said than done. But we'll do our best to do just that as we look for good test results at the end of the year.
Blest Regards,
kp
No comments:
Post a Comment