My Grace is Sufficient

The last few months have be racked with pain and fear. But as usual God has stayed very close. I want to share where I am in this battle with stage 4 colon cancer.

When I thought about starting this blog the title "Three Times a Charm" came to my mind for I had just learned I would be starting my third round of chemo mid February. My CEA
(A carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test is a blood test used to help diagnose and manage certain types of cancers. The CEA test is used especially for cancers of the large intestine and rectum. You doctor can also use the test results to help determine if a cancer treatment is working.) has again risen to 201 (optimal is 0-4) I have been off of chemo for 6-7 months. Dr. Julian Hill ordered a CAT scan that revealed a 3.5 centimeter mass pushing on the left tube leading from my kidney to bladder. Two days later I had a colonoscopy that also indicated the mass was pushing on my colon and causing an obstruction.

As you read this matter of fact report, please know my head and heart were not this calm. Let me tell you more.

As I said, I thought about Three Times a Charm as my title until I read 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 "I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

The thorn - cancer in my body!

I knew he was leading me to decide...will I settle for a old saying or will I stand on his word! I chose his word. He knew in advance that I would find myself right here, right now, in pain and fear. But the peace started washing over me as I realized nothing is happening to me that has not gone through His Hands. All good things come from Him. Cancer good?? No, but I will know one day the good that came from it. OK...this could be a whole other post. I will save it.

Since the reality of the CAT SCAN things have been rolling. Dr. Hill referred me to Dr. Kalish (urologist in Tupelo). He believed that I might need a stent into my kidney to ensure it empties and doesn't get  unhealthy. Dr. Huey, the Digestive Health specialist who preformed my colonoscopy suggested I get a colostomy. If you just shucked in your breath...believe me I have not been able to think about it, talk about it and for sure write about it.

I checked with all doctors I have had care for me the last 4 years. They all concluded that I should listen to the advice of the expert, but that they did not do that type of surgery. I laid in bed and wondered what was next.

Monday I met the urologist, Dr. Kalish, and he got me thinking. He asked was I going back to Jackson where I had my original surgery 4 years ago. He went on to say, with your surgical history and what you have been through, you may want to think about going to UAB or somewhere that specializes in colerectal surgery. He scheduled me for stent implant on Monday.

It was on! The next morning I Googled doctors at UAB in the department. I came across Dr. Jamie Cannon. Her video gave me an insight that if she could repair my colon without a colostomy she would. I had to be referred. They said the referral process would take at least 10 days. I called Huey on Tuesday. He referred me.

Last night was one of those extreme in pain episodes. I pleaded for relief. I asked that it would not be too many days until I heard from her office. I had a phone call this morning! I am her patient. She wanted to see me on Monday...yep two places to be on the same day. I felt led to get to UAB as fast as I could. My stent procedure was moved to next Thursday.

This leaves me with a final thought. It took more that a charm to orchestrate all of this. So many issues, so many prognoses,so many doctors. But the Great Physician is guiding all of this. As His word says...HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT. Sustaining grace that meets us in our need and gives us wisdom, strength and courage. This sustaining grace doesn't promise there will not be struggles, but it promises God's presence.


Prayer request:
1. Jerry Riley is battling leukemia. Pray for his healing.
2. Denise, a friend of Elaine Ashcraft is having extreme nauesea from her cancer chemo. Pray for supernatural relief and healing.
3. Bro. Bubba Dees has had a reoccurence. Pray for healing.
4. Pray for my healing.