Well, I’m not EXACTLY off to Ireland....   But sort of.   At University Hospital in Cleveland they have the very respected Ireland Cancer Center, and a door has opened for me to go and meet with a doctor there for a second opinion.   They have what is called a multi-disciplinary approach, and it means that all of the docs and specialists will review my case and talk it over, and I was strongly encouraged to seek out a place that would handle it in this way.   Honestly, it was no science to it... just a lot of recommendations, so I called them, and the secretary was shocked to find an appointment three days later.   She repeatedly said, “This never happens!”   I prayed for open doors, and this seems to be one!

I am also supposed to start radiation tomorrow afternoon, and as a result my new regimen of chemo as well.   I had really been praying for a chance to talk to another doctor before I started radiation, and this is cutting it close, but definitely a relief to me.   I truly don’t know if I’m going to do the chemo pills... we are praying, and seeking God.   I love the thought of 51% reduction of recurrence rate, but chemo is a scary thing.   Just opening up the fedex box and looking at the pills left me crying on Nathan’s shoulder last night.   I don’t want to do this again! 

I’ve just started then erased three different paragraphs trying to say something profound.  Purposefully pushed profundity is pathetic.  :)  The truth is I haven’t any depths of insight to impart... it’s really quiet, and I’m still waiting for the picture to come into focus myself.   I stand in this certainty with my newly comprehended friend Job, “But He knows the way that I take, when He has tried me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

One last thought... He knew the way my friends took when a drunk driver smashed into their vehicle and almost took their lives.   Paul and Kathy Martin gave their lives to Christ when I was still living at home and never looked back... we attended church together, and their teenage boys were my Children’s Church assistants long before I got married.   Kathy and I put on a girl’s retreat for the youth from the church, and her fervent spirit deeply impacted me.  They left our church to be missionaries in Ukraine, and then have been pastoring in Indiana.   Now they have both suffered horrifying injuries in this accident, and Kathy’s life is threatened due to a tear in her aorta.  I know that there are thousands of praying people who check this blog, I’m so humbled by your concern for me and my family.   Will you pray as well for this dear family, and for Kathy in particular.  

My friend Lisa shared with me today that a FACT is restricted by time.   TRUTH transcends time.   The fact is that I have cancer, but a moment could change that if God would choose.   The fact was that Paul and Kathy were the picture of health.   In a second that changed as well.   We are not prisoners of the facts that can overwhelm when we are possessors of the Truth that can liberate us.   That realization brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.   All of these facts could be irrelevant tomorrow... so I wait and hope and keep the faith.   Thank you for praying!

Moments from the Museum

(Or as Kate calls it, “Thanks for letting me play in the bathtub at the zoo!”)