The Battle 03/29/2010 (Dad)

For those of you who have been checking the blog for an update on Janice’s condition, I apologize. None of us has felt much like writing for the past week and it’s been rather busy. Here’s the update. First, the praise is that she came home yesterday and is in the healing process. The news from the biopsy was not as good as we had hoped, but not as bad as it could have been. The tumor had penetrated the third layer and of the 28 lymph nodes taken, eighteen showed cancer cells; 10 did not. It will be necessary for her to start chemo as soon as she’s healed enough from surgery. And so our initial reaction was, “darn!" That’s because the Enemy saw another opening and dove in. He attacks with fear and tries to set up camp with discouragement. “He (that’s us) will not be afraid of evil tidings (bad news in TLB version); His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Ps 112:7) That’s the only defense I know. But all the above is the negative aspect and the positive is much more powerful. The surgeon believes he got everything. The 10 clean lymph nodes indicate the cancer had not spread beyond that area, and the surgeon, who was formerly an oncologist, believes the chemo will take care of it for good. In addition, the chemo is not the kind that makes you lose hair and become severely nauseated. So, we continue to feel that we are blessed and there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. However, in the dark of the tunnel, I’m finding it difficult to watch Janice deal with the pain and sickness of the aftermath of surgery. I’m not feeling very philosophical or theological. I just want her to be well. I wish my faith was greater. Thanks again for all your prayers and concern. We feel you there even in the midst of the struggle, and we realize many of you have gone before us in this battle. In the midst of the waters, He truly is going with us and they are not overflowing us. (Isa 43:2)

rks