Living in HOPE “Kid, you’ll move mountains! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way!” Dr. Seuss. I am climbing my mountain round by round. Four rounds of chemo behind me and two to go. Each round proves to be a little more difficult as the chemo is taking a toll on my body. However, I have an amazing cancer care team pulling me through. I am grateful that I was able to stay out of the hospital this round. I went to the cancer care center for several days after chemo to receive IV fluids and meds. As dreadful as that may seem, I was blessed to meet some beautiful people. For example, one day an older gentleman sat in the recliner next to me. He said, “Honey, I am sorry you are here. My name is Larry.” I smiled at him and said, “Larry, we are here together and we have several hours. Tell me your story.” This is what I learned about Larry. He has been married to his bride for 45 years. He is a retired high school teacher from a small town in Nebraska where he taught for 36 years. He also coached high school boys’ basketball. His team went to state several times and one year they won the state championship. That year his son played on the team, so it made the victory even sweeter. Life is a beautiful thing, filled with beautiful people. Embrace the moment. On Friday, I received a phone call from my oncologist’s nurse. She said my doctor scheduled me for a CT scan on Monday. Because my liver enzymes are highly elevated, they want to check my liver to make sure the cancer hasn’t spread. Again, fear tries to creep its way in. I surrender my fear to the Lord and immediately begin to recite Psalm 61 to myself. “Hear my cry; O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you. I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to a rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, A strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” A friend asked me, “Don’t you just want to know why? Why is this happening to you?” My response to this is—we don’t need to know why. We need to know Who. Ultimately, who is in control—God! No matter how deep my valley is, I always have HOPE in front of me. And I don’t walk through the valley alone. He is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. I have the power of Christ in me. He took the cross so that I may have eternal life. I live each day with a blessed peace and hope. Great is thy faithfulness!
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 22:32:59 +0000
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