Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Today marks the four year anniversary of when Wayne was diagnosed with brain cancer. Although we wouldn't find out it was a terminal diagnosis (GBM- average life expectancy is 12-18 months) until almost a month later, it was a day that changed our lives forever. I can still remember all the emotions and feelings of that evening as I sat in the ER with Wayne hearing the news of a brain tumor. If I dwell on it too long, the emotions can tumble over me like the waves of the sea and engulf me in grief again. Each day is walk in faith. I have to trust that God knows exactly what He is doing since He is Yahweh, the God who never changes. He is Eloheim, the great creator who created Wayne and as the Psalms say, God has ordained every day for Wayne, and for all of us. My job is to rest and trust in who God is and leave the future to Him.
Some days that is harder then others to do...to walk in faith and trust God 100%. It is especially hard when I look around me and see so many of my friends losing their loved one to this awful disease called brain cancer. When we started on this journey four years ago, we quickly met many who had brain cancer and we added them to our prayer requests, by name. Slowly, over the last four years, we have lost all but two on that list, which started with twelve people. Sadly, one of the last two on the original list is not doing well right now either. It is so hard to see people I call friends losing their loved ones. Sometimes I feel guilty that Wayne is doing so well and sometimes I feel like I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop and his cancer return.
God has been so faithful through each step of this journey! We will continue to live each day to the fullest and Lord willing, fulfill God's purpose in our lives and continue to give Him all the glory that is due His name! Our prayer from the beginning was for God to get the glory in all of this, whether it be in our living or in our dying.
Picture of Wayne's brain from the MRI. The black space is where the tumor/brain was removed during surgery almost four years ago. It is a miracle that he can communicate at all and function with that much of his brain gone! God is good!
How Far We've Come in Four Years!
After the biopsy, which landed us in the hospital an extra day after a severe seizure.
After brain surgery to remove his lemon sized tumor.
Rehab: learning how to talk and walk again.
Wayne reading to little Joella. I'm so glad that Wayne has had all these extra years so that the little ones can remember their dad.
Celebrating our 4th year of clear scans with a trip to Fattoush, which is an amazing restaurant in Worth!
Picture on the left is almost one year from diagnosis, picture on the right is four years out.
Please continue to pray for us to trust the Lord every day with Wayne and our future. Please also pray for my friend Mary Bost and her sweet family as her husband is not doing well right now with his brain cancer. Finally, please pray for my dad who broke his ankle and has to be off his feet for 10 weeks! Thank you for all of your support these last 4 years!
I praise God, celebrate and continue to pray with you!! Please don’t ever feel guilty about sharing this mighty work of God, to which you both share a great witness. Being one of those 12 that you mention, and so grateful to be called your friend, I love hearing stories of the world being confounded by gods miracles! When I pray, I see Wayne in this miracle as a standing stone........” that this may be a sign among you when your children ask and time to come, saying, what did these stones mean to you? Then you shall answer them ...when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘what are these stones?’ Then you shall let your children know......’ that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty that you may fear of the Lord your God forever.’ “ (Joshua 4:4-24).
ReplyDeleteI pray for your friends Mary and husband, that they continue to know the joy and strength of the Lord daily, that they can rejoice in the day that he is made! That they see He is faithful to carry, comfort and hold them both so close to Himself and He still does miracles daily! Lord, give them eyes to see and hearts to believe for Your glory. In Jesus name!
All glory to God, He has done great things! I love you both! Jan Kent
God has brought you both so far. He is working on your hearts and continuing to mold you into the beautiful people that He wants you to be. I love when you share your heart. You both are such a testimony of what God can do in the toughest of times. So thankful that Wayne is still here and doing so well. You both are such a blessing to me.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for how well Wayne is doing. You are an encouragement to many people. Praise God that we can trust Him in all situations.
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