April 23 CT results (Scott)

April 23 CT results

I have had several hard phone calls and conversations, such as taking the call at age 21 to let me/family know that dad had cancer, Doctors letting me know that Elizabeth had a life threatening illness in 2005, the many challenging decisions for her health, but the phone call I received the afternoon of November 21,2011 was up there with them. As soon as my cell phone rang tha
t afternoon I knew I had cancer because I knew that they would not call only 3 business days after a biopsy if it were otherwise. My hands were shaking, palms were sweaty as the doc said the bad news is you have cancer, the good news is it is slow growing. He had very few answers to my questions. I went to leave and passed my boss, told him I had to tell Eliz 1st. With her in the middle of picking up kids, I had yet another tough phone call. Looking back, obviously I wish I didn’t have cancer, but I am extremely thankful to God for his provision. After Nov 21, I saw a specialist 2 days later. Things moved at a very fast past, much to the awe of my family doctor. A Blessing, Gods provision!
In December I would find out that the cancer had spread further than originally thought. It was stage 3 of 4 instead of stage 1. The doctor left it up to us as to whether or not we would proceed with Chemo. With this type of cancer, because there is no medical cure, they often let it go until it is too uncomfortable to bare before administering chemo. We decided to proceed with chemo, praying that the kids would not have to see me sick just yet. On April 10 I finished my treatments and have had no more than a minor cold and minor side effects. I have also been able to work. A Blessing, God’s provision!
My April 23 CT scan results showed that my lymph nodes have all shrunk to normal size, which is the desired medical result. Yet another blessing, God’s provision, what he has allowed! You may ask what I would say if it didn’t work out this way, well that would also be what God allowed, a test, a learning blessing just as he allowed me to get cancer and learn from it. My path unless I am healed may not be easy from here on out, but God is my strength. We will strive to be good stewards of what is ahead of us, both of the good and the challenging. The platform we are given by God and for him includes all facets of our life, including how we minister at work and thru challenges such as health. God’s word details his purpose for us, that we would be his vessels, his witnesses and be molded to be more like him. After all he did give his son for us so that through accepting the free gift of salvation, we can enter into a right relationship with him and have eternal life. Is giving our lives back in return to much to ask? I don’t think so.

My family and friends have all been awesome through this, but I especially want to thank my wife and kids for their acceptance, love and patience.

Next steps are chemo every 3 months for 2 years starting in July. This is part of their maintenance program. It feels kind of like I am a vehicle and need an oil change every 3 months

Verses that have meant a lot to me are;

Phillipians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Mathew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
James 1:2-6 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Hebrews 12:6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.
1 Cor 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

April 17 2012 (Scott)

update in the form of a prayer;
Father in Heaven, I love you. I dunno your purposes; I dunno the outcome of this cancer. What I do know is that you are awesome and that one day sooner or later I will spend eternity with you. In the meantime I am your puzzle piece. I don’t know exactly where or how you are placing me in the puzzle of life. What I do know is that your plans and timing are perfect
. It’s hard Lord for a control freak like me not to know the outcome. It’s hard Lord to look at my family here and to think of the possible impacts of this cancer. But I am reminded Lord of your provision and of your ultimate goal. I am given to your plan Lord as hard as that is, and I am very thankful for the awesome friends that you have surrounded our family with. You have provided; you have made the road easier. Your protection over me has been obvious these last several months. So Lord may your will be done with the results of the April 23 CT-scan and may I accept them as part of your plan. Mold me and shape me I pray, use me according to your will and purposes, I love you Lord.

April 5 2012 FB post (Scott)

My personal boxing match
Round 6, the bell has sounded. I am cleared (passed blood work test today) to proceed against chemo in round 6 on April 10. This is the last round currently scheduled for this match (depending on April 23 CT scan). Chemo is a big opponent that throws uppercuts and quick jabs that can result in mood changes, loss of appetite, finger and toe numbness, loss of sleep, anxiety,
nausea, etc. I have a respectful dislike for chemo who hails from the following address, cancerville, sin, hell, postal code #$% &*@. I am fortunate to have God as my coach/armor. He resides in Heaven. I dunno why, but thus far God has chosen to keep the side effects of chemo at bay and has ensured that my blood work has passing grades. Win or lose this match, my next opponent is cancer. He hails from the same area as chemo. I dunno how God will coach me through that or how many rounds the fight will go, but I know he has a greater plan than winning that fight for me, it is to win souls for his kingdom.
Desiring to be a good steward and sometimes failing miserably, Scott