The Chemo Battle

05/02/2010
I haven’t written in awhile, but it doesn’t mean I haven’t been appreciative of all the people reading this blog and praying for us. We are now in the battle phase labeled “chemo-therapy”. Of course, all of us have known people who are going through it, or have gone through it. But what a difference it is to walk into their world and see the terms I have heard for years come to life ….. like “side effects” “nausea symptoms”, “appetite loss”, “weight loss”, “cell count”, “markers”, “staying on schedule”, etc., etc. I have two thoughts; chemo pretty much sucks, and thank God for chemo. It is difficult to watch my usually energetic, social wife trying to just maintain some kind of positive outlook while her body is wracked with dry heaves and she tries to find the energy to walk outside and feed the birds. Yet, I am thankful that there are treatments available which reduce the chance of recurrence down to 10%. Chemo seldom kills you, but cancer often does. So, we are learning that we live from one day to the next and adjust to what the day brings. Janice is determined not to let cancer control her life, but outside of the Lord, it certainly has an inside on influence right now. The Serenity Prayer we use in Celebrate Recovery says, “…Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it…” and Scripture says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” ( 2 Cor 1:3-4) Leaving CBCC (Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center --- and that’s the last time I’m telling you that) the other day, we saw a lady that had been inside for a chemo treatment, waiting on the bus. They have a group that picks people up, drives them to chemo, and takes them home, but for some reason, this woman was waiting for the bus. Janice has already seen her opportunity for ministry when this is all done. So, ya’ll keep praying, and we’ll keep fighting, and we’ll get through this. Thanks always for the help.

rks