Cancer Free!

How do you write about the events of the past few days? Caution: This will be a long blog.

We were prayerfully ready for surgery--really prayerful!

The morning of May 28th began with last minute check of responsibilities, plans for the kids, paperwork and items to make an extended hospital stay comfortable.  The long ride was memorable and emotional.  We listened to Lisa's playlist (emotional in and of itself-check it out on Spotify-my wife's faith inspires me!), spoke "those" private, eternal words and while viewing the hospital that would be our home for a few days, shared prayer at a stop light.  With tears dry and hearts protected by the knowledge of prayer warriors surrounding us, we started through the pre-op routine.

Clothes switched to "the" gown.
Vitals checked.
IV Inserted.
Doctors and nurses asking questions and asking for any questions.
Friends Surrounding (awesome scene. The room was filled with a crowd of people ready to pray Lisa into surgery. A crowd the front desk referred to as the "party room.").
The time was 11:45 a.m.
They would take Lisa back in 15 minutes for a surgery that was predicted to take no less than 2.5 hours.
Then a phone call.

Let me pause the action to take us back through the events that brought Lisa to this pre-op room (very concise bullet points used).

• Lisa has an appendectomy.
• Pathology revealed the ruptured appendix was due to appendiceal cancer.
• The doctor appointments began.
• Incredible doors where opened to some of the finest doctors in the DFW area.  
• The course of treatment was decided.
• Surgery with Internal Chemo-the standard for Lisa's cancer.
• Great doctor, great hospital, great staff, date of surgery set.
• Caring Bridge activated and support plan in place.
• Last post written on May 27th.   Here it is:

Hello Friends,
Tomorrow is the big day! Lisa’s surgery is scheduled to begin at 12 noon. As always, we know and are confident that the Lord goes before us in this surgery and that this journey through cancer did not catch him off guard. We ask that you remember the following things in prayer:

• That the surgery be filled with great “surprises” of healing that only the Lord could receive credit. 
• That the recovery will be quick and with as little discomfort as possible.
• That Braeden and Shelbee be strengthened and comforted as their mom is in the hospital.
• That I will serve my wife and children with great energy, passion and be a source of comfort for each of them.
• That our journey will not be wasted as we press in close to the Father and develop greater character.
• That the Lord be glorified in our family’s response to this journey

Again, thank you all for your love, patience and practical outpouring of love and support. We are indeed a blessed family.

We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! -Romans 5:3 (The MSG)

So, back to the pre-op room, May 28th, 11:45 a.m. and the phone call.

At 11:55 a.m. (minutes before Lisa is set to receive the anesthesia "cock-tail") the doctor comes into the room, dismisses the crowd (party) and asks to speak to Lisa and I privately.  He begins with "I just got a call from Pathology"(who had been feverishly trying to get a hold of him all morning-he was in surgery).   Now, considering Lisa's track record with health issues, we both expected the worst.  Then, with a smile (he said he was not use to giving good news) he informed us that there would be no surgery!  His pathologist (verifying the findings of another pathologists on his team) said that cancer did not destroy the appendix it was endometriosis and to stop the surgery! 

Lisa and I were both stunned and asked, "So, what do we do now?"  After the usual "technical stuff" he suggested she get dressed, go have lunch and celebrate!   So we did!

Wow!

We are still trying to process the events of the last few days!  An event that will lead to a few what we have learned posts I am certain.  In short, we are thankful, amazed and give the Lord praise for answered prayer!

So, here it comes...
Was the original diagnosis wrong?
Did the Lord change the pathology?
Did the Lord lead you to the correct doctors to see the correct diagnosis?
Did...?
I have no clue!

Let me use the words of the man, formerly known as the blind man, in John 9.  When people where questioning him about how he received back his sight, the man said, "One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”  

Here is what Lisa and I can say, "One thing we know, she was told she had cancer and was having surgery and the diagnosis changed." In dramatic, 11th hour, glory giving/attracting,  "surprise filled" (Check the above prayer requests again--amazing!) fashion.   
The Father not only answered the prayer. 
He answered the prayer and dropped the mic!

PRAISE GOD! 

Let me be crystal clear!  (emphasis added by Lisa's request and my solid agreement)
God is good all the time!  His goodness would have remained if deliverance from surgery had not come or had resulted in death.  I am not wanting to sound dramatic but affirming the words of a friend who said, "God always gives his people a yes!"  This time, the Father 's "Yes" lined up with our "yes."

As we drove home (after getting Lisa lunch) here is the song from her playlist that caught our attention and created a thin-silence, tear filled, speechless moment.  Enjoy! (If the video does not appear, here is the link Whom Shall I Fear)

By the way, if you don't know the God of Angel Armies,  we would love to tell you about Him! He was and continues to be by our side!