The Unexpected Journey Series

Cancer Journey: The Unexpected Journey!

Opening Video: Unexpected Journey - Cancer to a Higher Calling

Thesis: In this life we will encounter unexpected journeys! In these twists and turns of the journey of life the Lord is there to guide us on these paths, to comfort us, give us peace and provide for us as well. We just need to stay focused on him in the valley.

Introduction:

Thought: We would never have chosen stormy paths in life, but we end up on them and they can be long journey’s through the shadows – the trail of pain and suffering is not a fun trail to hike. But even on these paths we discover Jesus is with us -right there beside us – It’s important to remember that with His presence, comes the benefits of His ultimate wisdom, strength, healing, comfort and direction. He promises to guide us in Scripture, to be with us through the valley of shadows – in the shadows of these valleys are pain, sickness, suffering, grief, anxiety, stress and many other things associated with a fallen world. In those valleys lurking in the shadows are things like, death, cancer, rape, fear, depression, anxiety, sickness, trauma, crisis, accidents, trials, abuse, financial disasters, pandemics, crime, and yes, even demons seeking to destroy you and your faith.

Quote: John Ortberg stated, “The central promise in the Bible is not ‘I will forgive you.’ The most frequent promise is ‘I will be with you.’” (God Is Closer Than You Think, page 15).

Pause and think about that for a moment!

Jesus said in Matthew 28:20: “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Scripture Says:

Hebrews 13:5, NIV “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Psalm 48:14, NIV “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. (Amen)

The promise of the Lord being with us was made to Adam and Eve, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Samuel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Amos, Mary, Paul, Peter, John and a host of others from the beginning of time until the climax of His return! This promise goes on and on – it was and is verbalized by God to the one’s He loves!

This promise was given to me in my crisis moment, I heard the Lord say He would be with me through my unexpected journey and I would come out the other end. To me this promise was encouraging and empowering.

Here is how my unexpected journey through the shadows started:

I urinated a blood out on Thursday April 7, 2022 – I called my urologist Dr. H. who set me up to immediately see his nurse practitioner Ewa B on Monday April 11. She took urine samples, did a blood test and other tests. She was certain after the tests that I had cancer of the bladder or prostrate – she prescribed steroids for my inflamed prostrate and gave orders for a Ct Urogram scan. She also set me up for Wednesday April 13th for a scan of my bladder with Dr. H. which he did with a scope and he saw the tumor on my bladder. He was sure it was cancer stage 3 – not a good stage in the bladder by the way – it looked as if it had been there a while he said. I had just seen him 4 months prior. “Who would have known.” Surgery was scheduled for Monday April 18th. I had the emergency surgery, and he removed the tumor from the outer layer of the bladder and did a biopsy and sent it off to pathology. He also treated the site with chemo. He said surgery went well but he most likely would have to go back in. His notes said I had a lot of bleeding, and it was extremely hard to get to the tumor because of the location. My daughter Tiffany reviewed his notes through Palos Health.

My Ct scan was delayed by insurance – due to the scan having to be in a free standing building – I know - I was like what?

The girls Tiffany and Christa flew in to be with me for surgery on Monday April 18th – that was real special and very encouraging – My daughter Tiffany who is a nurse practitioner and runs Northern Lights Medical company with two other partners has been keeping track of my chart for me – seeking information. Christa, Ashley, Vernon and Isa have been here to support me. Kathy is amazing as always – I know she was very worried – Life has delivered us an unexpected journey with a few twists and turns lately, but I know the Lord is with us.