Cancer

I started to write a post about cancer a few months ago after realizing that almost everyone I knew was directly affected by it, everyone...but me. Until just 3 weeks ago when I got the phone call. The strange part was that the news was by no means shocking, I had almost waiting to hear news like that as I heard prayer requests daily from friends and students who had loved ones with cancer. My Dad and stepmom had called to tell me that Grace, my stepmom had uterine cancer and would have a full hysterectomy to remove it. The doctor's were very hopeful but it was not what was known about her diagnosis that made it so scary but rather what was unknown. The doctor's told us that they wouldn't know until performing the surgery if the cancer had spread.

With bated breath we trudged through the next two weeks. On the day of the surgery, we were all able to be together (my Dad, sister and fiance and myself), and I am so thankful for that. We prayed together and then just waited...
When the doctor came out the nerves kicked in even more, but quickly turned to overwhelming joy as he recalled the details of the surgery and her now cancer free body! :) Tears of joy began to flow and we rejoiced and once again breathed... a deep sigh of relief. 

It's strange to face death or the possibility of it. As a believer our destination is far better than this world but as those who will be left behind you can't help but think, "I just want more time with her". And I am so thankful to say that for now, we have it.

A friend of mine heard someone say in a teaching once, "I wish you could all be told you have cancer, just to hear two days later that you don't have it." The point being that we would be moved to live as though today is our last day, that we would take the time to cherish all the good gifts God has given us and not waste a single moment.

exhausted by joy and thankfulness...
Jen

ps. we got the final pathology last night (Thursday)...Grace is cancer free and no more treatment will be needed! Praise Jesus! :)