365

I’m pleased to share with you that we are taking a NO CHEMO Summer Break! Our last scan at the end of May showed the same status as the previous ones, so there has been little change in the tumor size since we began chemo. However, Teresa’s tumor marker continues to decline. This month it was down to 75, which is great news. So Teresa will spend the summer not having to battle the side effects and have time for her body to begin to recover from the toxicity of the treatments.

Today (June 13) marks the one year mark on this journey of cancer. If you look at pancreatic cancer survival from the medical perspective, she is a walking miracle. If you look at it from a spiritual perspective, you fall on your face and thank Jesus for the gift of life.

So, it’s been 365 days. What have I learned? Teresa has her own thoughts and I will encourage her to share them with you soon.

My Jesus is all sufficient. From the first day battling fear and doubt to chemo treatments to dealing with side effects to hospital stays to demands of living life with this ever-present demon, I can tell you that HE is all sufficient. HE has sustained us spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially. Have I doubted? YES. Has HE ever NOT come through? NO!!!!

Family is invaluable. We would be wiped out without our immediate and extended family. They never cease to pray. They never cease to help without prompting. They have picked up Alfie from school while I was working and Teresa was not well. They have tutored him and did homework with him. They have helped transport. They have sat with Teresa during her 5-hour sessions of chemo. They have called and sent texts of encouragement. They have given us money to go to out-of-state doctors for second opinions. They have loved beyond measure.

The Church works in crisis. From the first week our church family rallied at our home to pray. They brought us meals. They checked on us. They always called when Teresa was down the most and lifted her spirits. They went out of their way, in spite of busy schedules, and ministered to us and our family. They truly acted out “When I was sick, you visited me”. There are hundreds, if not thousands, around the world that pray for us daily. I know because I get texts, emails and messages from them that tell me so. It’s overwhelming to know that so many intercede for you by name so often.

FRIENDS!!!! I cannot say enough about those we count as friends. They let us be real. They allowed us space to be down without judgment. They provided a safe place to vent without trying to fix it. They woke up in the middle of the night at the prompting of the Holy Spirit to pray for us. If we called out for help of any kind they responded immediately and extravagantly. Simply put, they helped us “bear our burden”.

My Bride. Teresa is the most amazing woman you will ever encounter. Jesus broke the mold after HE created her. She has the strongest spirit. Even at her worst, she never loses TRUST. She constantly declares the Goodness of Jesus in the midst of the sickness and the struggles. Is she ever down? Of course, she is human. But the “Power that raised Jesus from the dead” lives in her. She is more than a survivor. She is ALIVE and a CONQUEROR. I tell her often that she is MY HERO. She is so Brave, Courageous and Heroic. She picks me up much more that I do her. She makes me a better husband, dad, and follower of Jesus. She is my all. The testimony that is coming out of her life as she lives out her faith in the face of cancer is changing lives all over the world. I know her life has changed mine. I long for the day that she can be cancer free and continue to declare the goodness of God.

It’s been a long 365 days. I would not wish a similar experience on our worst enemies. However, HIS plan for our lives will come to fruition despite the cancer. HIS WORD says that no one can shut a door that HE has opened. I believe that. I trust that. You should too.