May 1st we found out that my colon cancer from 2011 has returned in a spot in the upper lobe of my right lung.
Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:9-11
Back in March of 2014, I was asked to give a morning devotion on the Nicaragua mission trip, and the Lord led me to this text. I focused on relying on God and not our own strengths and abilities especially during unfamiliar situations of mission trips. However, I believe God sent me that verse in preparation for where I am right now.
Original My Story from 2011 below:
Welcome to my CaringBridge website created for us by our son David. We covet your prayers as we go through this journey of Melinda being treated for colon cancer, so we hope to keep you updated on what is going on through this site. Also, we want God to be glorified through this chapter of our lives, so we want to share with you the amazing ways we see Him working throughout this journey. Psalm 9:1 - I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
We hope some of you will have time to leave me a note in my Guestbook.
On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, I found myself in the hospital in great pain and misery. My bowels had basically quit moving over the weekend, and I had tried to treat the symptoms myself with laxatives on Monday and Tuesday, but none of them worked. By Tuesday night I was in misery. After a visit to the doctor on Wednesday and another try with a prescription strength laxative, the pain and severe nausea continued with no relief so I checked into the hospital. A CT scan that night showed there was definitely a blockage of some kind. Another laxative was attempted in the hospital with no positive results. On Thursday morning a scope procedure was done that revealed a tumor was the cause of the complete blockage. The doctor was able to tell immediately that it was cancer. A surgeon was called in and did surgery a few hours later to remove 18 to 24 inches of my colon. We had to wait over the weekend for the report on the lymph nodes that the surgeon removed. On Monday night, the report showed there was cancer in 1 out of 14 lymph nodes meaning I have Stage 3 cancer (out of 4 stages). Cancer in any lymph nodes means that chemo is required for 6 months. So, I will not be able to finish the school year this year, but am planning to return in the fall.
Some "wonderful works of the Lord" for which we are so grateful are as follows:
1. This did not occur when I was on the Nicaragua mission trip. I had only been home a little over 3 weeks. This tumor has been growing 7 to 9 years, so it could have happened any time.
2. That this crisis did occur so that the cancer did not go undetected until it had spread further which can happen easily with colon cancer.
3. That good doctors were called in for the scope procedure and the surgery. We had no choice in this and yet God provided wonderfully. The gastro doctor is the partner of a very good friend of mine. The surgeon has been very compassionate and we like him so much.
4. The surgeon came so quickly. He actually was scheduled to do a surgery on a patient at another hospital but when he told the patient the situation she told him to go do my surgery first. Apparently she had a similar situation earlier and wanted to help me out.
5. The Lord provided a wonderful oncologist and the choice was very clear. Dr. Marty Conry is a friend that I have known since high school. He works at the UAB Kirkland Clinic at Acton Road which will be so convenient for my treatments.
6. We have had an unbelievable outpouring of support for which we will be eternally grateful. The prayers, food, flowers, gifts, cards, visits, errands, help at home, etc., have been such a blessing to our family.
The story is true! Praise God the story of Jesus is true. As I reflect on the last week and have had time to read and hear the posts and cards and voicemails so many of you have sent, I am again overwhelmed. As a family we are grieving deeply. We miss her so much and can’t imagine the special days and regular days ahead without her. But … God has her and she is with Jesus and how can we not rejoice at that! Thank you God for your great love for Melinda and thank you God for the host of family, friends and even people we did not know that loved her and us so well.
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
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