Count it all joy
Well, we received news we were hoping not to get today. Ray's latest chemo treatment did not work. He has 50-75% tumor growth on the lung that they've operated on twice already. At this point, the doctor has one more trick up his sleeve and Ray will begin a new chemo treatment next week. We are very hopeful that this buys more time for Ray. This will be the last effort to tame 'the beast'.
I went and read James 1:2-4 when I heard the news:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
I know that this is a test, not only for Ray, but for everyone that knows and loves him. We will be made perfect through this trial, as will Ray, whether that be perfect in an immortal form through death, or working a perfecting patience if the chemo works and he has more time. I'm praying it's the latter but I know that God's plan will be done regardless and will be the best for all of us.
It's hard to see my husband go through this. As a man, he's not very vocal about his feelings and he doesn't like to show any kind of weakness, but I know this weighs on him very heavily. I try and provide what support I can and I'm preparing myself for when it all becomes too much and he needs a shoulder to lean on. We try to get up to see him when we can and I hate to make excuses, but with a toddler, it's hard to make the 100+ mile trip for a two day stay. Regardless, I know that it makes Ray happy to see Emma and I hope and pray that he will be alive to see the next little Guthrie (whenever that may be).
No one wants to have cancer effect their family, but the truth in today's world is that it's all around us. I've had an aunt battle and beat cancer and I'm sure that others in my family have suffered from cancer either silently or were very tight lipped about it. I have to remind myself, though, that there is nothing new under the sun. Cancer has existed from the beginning of sin, I'm sure, but with all of the technological advancements, we are able to see it and identify it much more easily.
Ray has been a fighter through this all and he will continue to fight until the very end, no doubt! No one will be able to say that he gave up or that he didn't try everything. We continue to solicit prayers and well wishes for Ray in the coming months as we see what this new chemo can do. We are praying for more time, but only if that's the plan of God to give. Praise be to Him that Ray did have time to find his way back to the Lord and live for His glory! This gives me a peace that only He can provide!
For now, we wait and see what this new treatment will do for Ray. God's will be done.
God bless!
I went and read James 1:2-4 when I heard the news:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
I know that this is a test, not only for Ray, but for everyone that knows and loves him. We will be made perfect through this trial, as will Ray, whether that be perfect in an immortal form through death, or working a perfecting patience if the chemo works and he has more time. I'm praying it's the latter but I know that God's plan will be done regardless and will be the best for all of us.
It's hard to see my husband go through this. As a man, he's not very vocal about his feelings and he doesn't like to show any kind of weakness, but I know this weighs on him very heavily. I try and provide what support I can and I'm preparing myself for when it all becomes too much and he needs a shoulder to lean on. We try to get up to see him when we can and I hate to make excuses, but with a toddler, it's hard to make the 100+ mile trip for a two day stay. Regardless, I know that it makes Ray happy to see Emma and I hope and pray that he will be alive to see the next little Guthrie (whenever that may be).
No one wants to have cancer effect their family, but the truth in today's world is that it's all around us. I've had an aunt battle and beat cancer and I'm sure that others in my family have suffered from cancer either silently or were very tight lipped about it. I have to remind myself, though, that there is nothing new under the sun. Cancer has existed from the beginning of sin, I'm sure, but with all of the technological advancements, we are able to see it and identify it much more easily.
Ray has been a fighter through this all and he will continue to fight until the very end, no doubt! No one will be able to say that he gave up or that he didn't try everything. We continue to solicit prayers and well wishes for Ray in the coming months as we see what this new chemo can do. We are praying for more time, but only if that's the plan of God to give. Praise be to Him that Ray did have time to find his way back to the Lord and live for His glory! This gives me a peace that only He can provide!
For now, we wait and see what this new treatment will do for Ray. God's will be done.
God bless!
Comments
Post a Comment