Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Such a Heavy Heart

My heart is so heavy right now. Tears have been a mainstay since late last week. One of my close friends has been told that she has 8 tumors in her brain. She is such a dynamic woman with a dynamic testimony. You see, this lady has just completed her final radiation treatment for breast cancer. 10 months ago, she was diagnosed with stage 2, breast cancer. She faced it valiantly, to say the least. Her mother was going through stage 4 ovarian cancer at the same time, and my friend was her mother's primary caregiver as well. Her mother is in remission, PTL! This woman also home schools 4 of her 6 children, and is an icu nurse, working full time hours. If that isn't incredible, I don't know what is!!

After going through genetic testing, she discovered that she was a prime candidate for a recurrence of breast cancer as well as ovarian. So, my friend had her other breast removed and ovaries as well. All of this to be proactive, to prevent the chances of anything else occurring. And yet..... She had been having headaches for the past month and doctors thought it was due to radiation, etc. Sent for a ct scan last week, this wonerful lady has been told the breast cancer has metastasized to her brain. Hence 8 tumors.....

Being a nurse, while working, my friend did some investigating only to find the life expectancy is 3-4 months and that's with 2-3 tumors. She could lose her memory tomorrow, next week, no one knows. The doctors want to do a specific form of radiation to shrink 2 of the major tumors. Problem: treatment will cause loss of memory and loss of cognitivity. If this occurs, she will be unable to work. If she doesn't work, there is no insurance to pay for treatment.

I keep trying to focus on the words: BUT GOD..... Pastor says those words all of the time and I truly believe them! It's not easy right now for me to say them and yet that is what I am clinging to for my friend and her family. I am praying that God will direct their steps and that a complete MIRACLE will occur that will set the medical community on their behinds! :-) 2 other very dear and close friend are going through complete nightmares within their families as well.

Sometimes I sit and think of how difficult things are for my own family right now and then God brings to memory my close friends and their lives. It's then that I realize that my mother is still alive, in remission, and with our family, that my own diseases are under control, that my hubby has an incredible job that allows him to pray with folk for their salvation as they prepare to enter into eternity, that my 2, beautiful daughters are healthy and happy. I could go on and on and on.
None of what is happening is taking God by surprise. I am not saying that He has caused it to happen by any means. But I do know that He is in control. We need to hold God to what His Word says. I think He likes it when we do that. It shows Him that we do believe in His Word and His infinite grace and mercy. So tonight as I lay my head down for one more night's rest, I will hold to His Word that provides grace, mercy and peace for EVERY situation.
Be Blessed,