A Bend in the Road

January 26^th. That was the Saturday that Kristen told me that we needed to go to the doctor. Only three days earlier I had noticed a lump—the source of my discomfort from earlier in the week. So after I got home from work we went to Patient First. After an examination, the doctor told me I should have an ultrasound done at the hospital. So we went. After a long day, the doctor at the hospital told us that it looked like testicular cancer.

Wow. That was a blow. I had tried to prepare myself mentally for that diagnosis. But when the reality of what he told me was setting in—well, imagining it is one thing; actually hearing the doctor use that c-word while talking about me—that was quite another.

Kristen and I are being taught through this. Faith and trust take on new meaning when God brings you through something like this. And He has been good. Very good.

Today is February 24^th—almost a month later. I have since had outpatient surgery to remove the cancer. It was at stage 2. Praise the Lord that the doctor said that it was all contained inside, so it looks like they got all the cancer. Unfortunately, the majority of the tumor was an aggressive form of cancer and could have sent out its little cancery cells to other parts of the body. Presently, though, there is no sign that that has happened.

We still anticipate more treatment. We’ve heard results from 1 of the 3 blood tests. The hCG levels are now within normal range—a praise! That’s one sign of no-spread. Soon we’ll hear the results of the others, and we’ll keep you posted. If levels are good, then I may not need chemo. I would, however, most likely need an RPLND surgery (to remove lymph nodes).

So, that's pretty much where things are at. Did I say that God has been good? First of all, God's wisdom is evidenced through the timing of things. Having Kristen here with me has been absolutely wonderful! She is a blessing beyond blessings. I couldn't imagine going through this without her. We've been able to lean on each other and encourage one another. God is good. Also, as of January first, I bumped up my insurance coverage. I did it for Kristen; she's the "sicky." I thought the extra I was paying for me would kind of be a waste. Hmm...looks like I was wrong. We got the bill for the surgery last week—$12,069.22! Yikes. How much did the insurance cover? $12,069.22. Whew. And we've had a loving, caring church body that has been praying for us, preparing meals for us, encouraging us, and willing to do practically anything to help us.

Remember that first Saturday when we first got the news of cancer? Well, the next day, Sunday morning, our pastor started off the service by sharing a recent visit he made to a couple of elderly ladies in an assisted living center. One of them was paralyzed. He said, "What do you tell someone who asks the question...why...why would God allow something like this to happen?" He had the congregation turn to the Gospels, and he walked us through Scripture passages that highlight God's personal love. As he’s talking, I’m sitting in the choir loft behind him—listening, reading, and trying to keep myself composed. He was talking right to me. I felt like I could have been the only person in the audience that morning. It was incredible to experience God’s personal reminder that He was right there with us. And we can rest in knowing that this trial is His will for us. We’re learning that His grace will be sufficient for us.

He will continue to see us through.