We all have irrational fears. Mine may be a bit less rational than yours, though:
- I'm convinced that the man/kid/woman walking across the overpass will throw a frozen turkey through my windshield.
- I magically turn off street lights with my presence, and I worry that my powers will one day become too strong to control.
- I am certain that my retainer will fall into the toilet. I don't have a retainer.
But some fears are quite rational, especially while constantly thinking about stupid cancer. Worrying every three weeks that this time is when the cancer markers start rising. Scared that the heart scan will find abnormalities. Anxiety that CT scans will show that the cancer has returned.
That's the thing when cancer has become a chronic disease: it can be hard to look past the next scan, the next test, the next appointment. Hard to focus on the future. But it's exactly that long-term view that we need to set goals, plan family events, give us hope. We are fortunate to have each other to lean on, to give our family strength.
An old African proverb says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
We have come far.
I am thrilled to announce that Liz's latest scans and blood work once again show no evidence of cancer! Her oncologist, the man of few high fives, unleashed this barrage today: "If we could've said what the best scenario was back when we met — this would be it." This is the same guy who wouldn't offer any words of hope for way too many months. And now... Wow.
Your thoughts and prayers definitely have helped us get through the worst times. We cannot always avoid the trials. It seems that God's greatest blessings come by helping us heal from the trials we face, rather than having us avoid them entirely.
God's promise as recorded in the book of Joshua rings true:
"I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. … Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
Today is a day of celebration. We have nothing to fear.
Go Team Liz!
That's the thing when cancer has become a chronic disease: it can be hard to look past the next scan, the next test, the next appointment. Hard to focus on the future. But it's exactly that long-term view that we need to set goals, plan family events, give us hope. We are fortunate to have each other to lean on, to give our family strength.
An old African proverb says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
We have come far.
I am thrilled to announce that Liz's latest scans and blood work once again show no evidence of cancer! Her oncologist, the man of few high fives, unleashed this barrage today: "If we could've said what the best scenario was back when we met — this would be it." This is the same guy who wouldn't offer any words of hope for way too many months. And now... Wow.
Your thoughts and prayers definitely have helped us get through the worst times. We cannot always avoid the trials. It seems that God's greatest blessings come by helping us heal from the trials we face, rather than having us avoid them entirely.
God's promise as recorded in the book of Joshua rings true:
"I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. … Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
Go Team Liz!
Way to go Liz, keep punching cancer in the face!!!
ReplyDeleteSo so so so soooooooo very awesome. Favorite post ever!
ReplyDelete