Adversity and Rising to the Occasion
Lots was going on at this time. Dennis was in full swing at school and we were going to some appointment almost weekly for one thing or another. We were encouraged by the positive information that was coming in, but were still unsure of what the treatment would be. The surgeon we were led to is wonderful. He is very knowledgeable about his job and even yesterday Dennis said,"he is so confident." It is true. Although our ultimate trust is in God, we do feel confident in the surgeon's ability. We are grateful that we were led to someone with the experience he has. Here is the next update in our journey. . .
September 8, 2010
Sorry we haven't updated you since the CT scan - life happens sometimes! Dennis had the CT scan last Wednesday. On Friday he met with his doctor to go over the results. The doctor said things looked good and it appeared that the cancer hadn't spread - lymph nodes didn't appear to be enlarged. We were encouraged by this.
Today we met with the surgeon. After reviewing all the information gathered so far and doing an exam, he said there may be some lymph nodes near the tumor that may be enlarged. As he cannot tell for sure, he wants Dennis to have an internal ultrasound which will allow the lymph nodes to be seen better. We are hoping to get an appointment Friday or early next week. This would allow us to go back to the surgeon next Wednesday and move forward with treatment.
The surgeon offered a great deal of hope regarding the successful treatment of colon cancer. The fact that we caught it early is a huge factor. We can see God's hand in all of this - from our family doctor recommending Dennis have the colonoscopy in the first place to the doors opening so quickly to top doctors. The surgeon told us today that we are doing all the right things. Because we can see God is at work, we also continue to have His peace as we begin to move into the treatment phase.
Dennis did share with Ellie tonight that he has to have another test and that he will have to have surgery in the future. She seemed to take it well.
We have read two devotions that apply to us at this time in Oswald Chambers book "My Utmost For His Highest." The first was about adversity. Oswald Chambers wrote, "Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God's sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to 'supply all your need' (Philippians 4:19).
We did not choose this adversity, but we accept it as being God's sovereign will for our lives. Our hearts are quickened with the desire to show Christ working in our lives. Dennis spoke in Chapel yesterday about his situation and the students responded with an outpouring of love - he was presented with a basket full of notes and Scriptures written by every student in the school.
Last night we read about "rising to the occasion." In this he wrote, "God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly 'By my God I can leap over a wall' (Psalm 18:29). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. First Peter 4:12 says, 'Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. . ." Rise to the occasion - do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body. . . We are to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others."
Our greatest desire is to glorify God in our lives. We continue to pray for wisdom and integrity to do just that as we walk this journey together.
If you would please pray with us for an ultrasound appointment to be scheduled as soon as possible; as well as for wisdom on the doctor's and our part for the next course of treatment. Also for the kids to be at peace and for continued wisdom in sharing with them.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Carolyn and Dennis
September 8, 2010
Sorry we haven't updated you since the CT scan - life happens sometimes! Dennis had the CT scan last Wednesday. On Friday he met with his doctor to go over the results. The doctor said things looked good and it appeared that the cancer hadn't spread - lymph nodes didn't appear to be enlarged. We were encouraged by this.
Today we met with the surgeon. After reviewing all the information gathered so far and doing an exam, he said there may be some lymph nodes near the tumor that may be enlarged. As he cannot tell for sure, he wants Dennis to have an internal ultrasound which will allow the lymph nodes to be seen better. We are hoping to get an appointment Friday or early next week. This would allow us to go back to the surgeon next Wednesday and move forward with treatment.
The surgeon offered a great deal of hope regarding the successful treatment of colon cancer. The fact that we caught it early is a huge factor. We can see God's hand in all of this - from our family doctor recommending Dennis have the colonoscopy in the first place to the doors opening so quickly to top doctors. The surgeon told us today that we are doing all the right things. Because we can see God is at work, we also continue to have His peace as we begin to move into the treatment phase.
Dennis did share with Ellie tonight that he has to have another test and that he will have to have surgery in the future. She seemed to take it well.
We have read two devotions that apply to us at this time in Oswald Chambers book "My Utmost For His Highest." The first was about adversity. Oswald Chambers wrote, "Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God's sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to 'supply all your need' (Philippians 4:19).
We did not choose this adversity, but we accept it as being God's sovereign will for our lives. Our hearts are quickened with the desire to show Christ working in our lives. Dennis spoke in Chapel yesterday about his situation and the students responded with an outpouring of love - he was presented with a basket full of notes and Scriptures written by every student in the school.
Last night we read about "rising to the occasion." In this he wrote, "God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly 'By my God I can leap over a wall' (Psalm 18:29). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. First Peter 4:12 says, 'Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. . ." Rise to the occasion - do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body. . . We are to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others."
Our greatest desire is to glorify God in our lives. We continue to pray for wisdom and integrity to do just that as we walk this journey together.
If you would please pray with us for an ultrasound appointment to be scheduled as soon as possible; as well as for wisdom on the doctor's and our part for the next course of treatment. Also for the kids to be at peace and for continued wisdom in sharing with them.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Carolyn and Dennis
Comments
Post a Comment