I hate to keep writing about this subject but I felt that I needed to give an update to all who have been praying for me for the melanoma removal surgery that I underwent yesterday. The surgery went well and about five-seven inches of hide was removed from my back. The dermatologist stated that the initial pathology report indicated that the cancer had not penetrated into the fat and therefore I am cautiously optimistic that I will be fine. I will not know the results of the surgery to confirm the initial finding for seven days.
Then she said that if it had grown through all of the layers of the skin and penetrated into the fat where blood vessels can move it to other areas of my body it becomes incurable. I was then told if they had not caught it in time I would have probably lived just 6-12 months.
Yikes!
My mother and brother’s five-year-old son both died of brain cancer. When I was in my early thirties I was diagnosed with an inoperable very large cyst-like brain tumor identical to the type that killed my mother. When I asked how long I had to live, the neurologist looked me in the eye and told me that he had treated one lady with an identical diagnosis and she only lived three days.
Oh boy, now that is not the news I wanted to hear. Every test I took for the next three months confirmed the existence of the tumor and I prepared to die. Finally, I transferred to Emory’s cancer clinic in Atlanta and the head radiologist called and asked if I was sitting down. I replied no, and inquired if I should. He told me to sit down and then told me I didn’t have brain cancer and in fact what they had seen in their tests was harmless brain fluid that had pooled in the base of my brain. It had been misdiagnosed.
It turned out that the numbness in my hands and terrible headaches were being caused from the stress of running several companies simultaneously. Apparently the muscles in my neck were pressing down on the nerves when I underwent stress. I was treated with a cocktail of muscle relaxers and another drug and my symptoms were gone in less than an hour.
At the time I had two very small kids, a successful business, and a faith in Jesus that was not as mature as it is today. I had gone through hell for three months as I faced the possibility that I would die. I went through several stages. At first I was hopeful that the diagnoses were wrong, but after repeated tests confirmed it I became angry. “Why Me?” I screamed at God. Then I got very depressed for some length of time and could hardly get out of bed and quit going to work. Finally, I accepted it and went back to work, having decided I would get as much as I could out of each and every day.
Then I received the news of my reprieve.
This time around I am far more relaxed. My strong faith as a believer, enables me to look at situations like this as a win-win. If God allows me to stay alive for a while I will be delighted, and on the other hand I can assure you that when I walk through those pearly gates into heaven I will be grinning from ear to ear.
The Apostle Paul put it like this: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith . . . ”
While I’m no apostle Paul I feel the same. I want to see Jesus, but I also want to work towards building His kingdom with the added caveat of being with family and friends for a while longer.
Yesterday some terrific friends called and told me they knew the Chairman of the Board and founder of the best melanoma cancer center in the world. They called him on my behalf and he immediately cut through the red tape and today I am making an appointment to transfer to this entity. I believe that it is imperative as believers to use the doctors that God has gifted to us, as well as engage in intense prayer for divine healing. I know some who reject doctors and want to rely 100% on prayer.
Hmmm . . . The Bible teaches in Philippians 4:13 (my life’s verse), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. That means to me that we must do everything within our power to improve our own situations, (“I” can do), and then rely on Christ to carry us across the finish line. Working together in unity with God through prayer and the best medical help we can utilize is the solution that I believe God has provided and that we should take.
At any rate thanks for your many prayers. Please know that I am at complete peace and have prayed to God that His perfect will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
LOL – Yes those of you who are astute may have noticed that I might be a little sneaky with that prayer because I do realize that in heaven there is no sickness; so in essence, I’m asking him to allow me to live on for a while.
Have a great weekend and go to Honey Lake Church this Sunday where my very close famous friend Tanya Crevier will be speaking and exhibiting her skills as the best woman basketball handler in all of the world.
I urge you to read the verse below and act upon it with continued prayers.
Philemon 4:22
In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers, I will be restored to you.
August 12 2016 – Click here to listen