A different kind of shouting....or results: take 2

Hearing the word "progression" is NOT what any cancer survivor wants. And yet, for many of us, this is our journey. I really really had hoped to be on my current medication for years and years. That was not to be. Though I am feeling fine, recent scans show progression in various areas.

In the days following my doctor appointment I had time alone to process this shattering news. I confess to shouting to my dear heavenly Father......"so many others are on this drug for years, WHY NOT ME?????!!!!" Why not, indeed. I looked at the glass in my hand and could easily have thrown it at the wall with all my strength. Thankfully, practicality won that battle. Who would have cleaned up the mess? Uh, that would be me! As I wrote down that question, God clearly spoke to me (not audibly) the words spoken by Jesus many years ago, "What is that to you? You follow me." Yes, Lord, I hear you.

Yesterday, a different kind of shouting was heard in my kitchen. I received a phone call from my nurse navigator, Amy Jo, with the news that my test results showed the hoped for result: the cancer cells had developed a resistance to my current medication. The wonderful news is that there is another drug that will do the work of my previous one AND find it's way around the resistance. I completely expect to be in remission once again. The unknown.....AGAIN....is how long this drug will work. Ah, the glorious unknown. But each day of remission is a day closer to healing. Each day is a gift.

Dear friends, your prayers and words of encouragement and hope have been a gift to us. I'm so thankful. For you. For the gift of time. Days to make memories, to share love, to enjoy the zinnias, to embtace my job, to float in the pool and jump the waves in the ocean. To worship and pray. To forgive and give hugs. To walk and talk or just sit and cry. To kiss grandbabies.

How are you filling your days? Make them good ones because there is one huge UNKNOWN for all of us. We don't know when our earthly days will end and eternity begins. For now, we are here. Let's make the most of these opportunities to be God's hands and feet, His ambassadors in this world. So today I'm gonna swim with my grandbabies and help plan Family Camp and pick worship songs for next Sunday. How about you?