The "Benefits" of Cancer

milkmansdaughter

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Ps 68:19, "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah."

Last night we had company, a family friend that lives out of state that we don't get to see often. She was able to come just as my husband was getting home from work, and she stayed for supper. Supper was provided by a lady from church: a big crockpot of homemade soup and a fresh baked loaf of homemade bread. And soooo our days go...

I don't talk much about the medical side of things here at the house. It just is what it is around here. But last night our son was encouraging our guest, and I want to share his wisdom.

A little background information: our youngest is 19, and has had a lifetime of medical issues. The newest challenge is cancer. He's about 1/3 of the way through weekly chemo treatments and is losing his hair. My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 metasticized colo-rectal cancer about 1 1/2 years ago. He had a large tumor removed in Dec 2017, then went through 8 months of very intensive chemo, then 5 months of maintenance chemo. After only 5 months of remission, he has new spots on his liver.

So last night, when our guest was here, our son told her, "I know you're worried about us, but really, all I see, are the benefits of cancer." He went on to tell her about all the people praying for us, about the kindness of others making us meals or slipping us a $20 to help with extra expenses, about meeting people who we probably wouldn't have met otherwise, of the strange twist that (ironically, because of the cancer!) his dad kept his job rather than losing it, and of the closeness of our family over the past 1 1/2 years. He talked about how his physical weakness pushed him to study and learn computers and how that is leading to all kinds of neat opportunities and contacts and job opportunities directly linked to the people and circumstances he has had because of the cancer. He talked about the doctors and nurses we have, and the place we stay when he has his treatment. Our guest asked him about how he felt about losing his hair, and he showed her his hat with a smile, telling her "It's just hair." He told her he was thankful that he is going through "some things" because later he will be able to encourage others going through similar things.

So this morning I just wanted to share his perspective with you all. It's hard for some people to understand our joy and peace as we deal with so many medical things at the same time, but really, we have been blessed abundantly. So rather than a house of doom and gloom, ours has become a house of praise and thanksgiving. In this way, we will share the "benefits of cancer" and will praise and thank the Lord for being sooo good to us!

Regarding medical issues, my husband and son know that I very rarely EVER go to a doctor, and if I did end up getting cancer, would be highly unlikely to go through chemo or radiation. Same with dialysis or other long term life extending measures. My goal is not to live forever but to live life well. They chose chemo. I would not. But whichever choice you make, whichever path you're on, look for the blessings! :weee

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." Ps. 68:19
 

Beekissed

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MMD, this post made me cry and for so many reasons! Not a single tear was for sadness though, unless it be sadness that my own children haven't had the "blessings" that Kyle has had~they run up against life's usual problems and want to know "why me??" and blame God for it~ though many have that same chance and never turn to the Lord because of it. That Kyle has is what brings tears to my eyes and a swelling of warmth and joy to my heart. Hallelujah!!! :celebrate

If CA would yield such results in every home it touches, what a day that would be!!! Think of it...when a people would rejoice to the Lord over such a thing, the nation would be in the right place for God to work many miracles! Think about what your guest will take away from your house and how many people she will tell about Kyle's take on cancer....I hope she tells everyone she meets.

This post definitely shows another side to CA treatments, where God can take something that seems to be a horrible situation and turn it around to bless many and especially the person in the middle of the situation, is a joyous thing to consider. Lifts up my heart to hear it, MMD! :woot
 

Mini Horses

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Encouraging, deep and far reaching outlook from your son. :hugs:love Even with the bad he sees extreme good! So refreshing and unexpected. He has been blessed. I pray he is able to spread this joyful mindset to many people for many, many years.

A friend's husband has been on immuno therapy for 3 months, liver tumors have decreased 1/3!! :clap Traditional chemo had totally stopped working at all. Plus had never given these results.
 

wyoDreamer

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Your son has a wonderful outlook, and will be blessed for the rest of his life. Life is never easy - but it is our attitude that makes it wonderful. I always feel best when I remember to appreciate the little things that come my way.
I saw a lady bug on the wall in my bathroom this morning, it made me smile. A small promise that summer will be here eventually. We are forecast to be 9 degrees with -2 windchill tomorrow morning...
 

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