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Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
__________________________
Blessed Be Your Name - by Matt Redman
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As
every grandparent knows, there is nothing more exciting
than the birth of a grandchild. In March 2005
Gracious, our 2nd granddaughter was born with all the
hoopla that surrounds the birth of a new baby.
One week later I was again at a
hospital,
but without the hoopla. That morning I went to see
my doctor complaining of severe stomach pain. She
sent me to the hospital for a CT scan, after which I was
sent to admitting while my doctor called a surgeon.
I had a tumor in my colon that looked "worrisome" according
to the doctor. It proved to be more than just "worrisome,"
It was cancer. I had colon-resection surgery with
one-third of my large intestine removed. Gracious
and her mom visited me every day in the hospital (picture
above) along with LOTS of family and friends.
While I was in the hospital, both before
and after surgery I had a lot of time to reflect:
Life has wild swings, from the ecstasy of a new granddaughter,
to the agony of cancer! Yet God is always faithful.
The song to the left became my theme song. I will
praise God because He is God regardless of my circumstances.
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| A month after
surgery I began 6 months of chemotherapy. For me it
was more difficult both physically and emotionally than
learning I had cancer or enduring the surgery. But
even in the midst of discouragement and nausea, God brought
moments of joy. I had lots of time to sit with my
daughter and new granddaughter, to visit, watch movies,
or even nap together on the couch. The treatment room
at my oncologist's office was cheerful and encouraging.
We had crazy, silly times trying on wigs, sharing our stories
with each other, and celebrating final treatments with parties
that included flowers, balloons, and funny little stuffed
animals (right). |
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Now ten years after my surgery, things are back
to normal: my hair, my skin, my appetite. Some things are
even better: my relationship with Jeff, my appreciation
for little things, my compassion for others, my perspective
on time and life. As I look back it isn't hard to see how
God has used my cancer experience for good (though it didn't
feel like it at the time). Having never been terribly
athletic, Jeff and I now enjoy riding our bike, mainly for
enjoyment, but also for health. We are both growing increasingly
stronger and healthier. A normal ride for us is in
the 50 - 60 mile range. In May 2009 we rode our first
"century" (100 mile ride)! In August
2010 we took our first vacation by bike (touring). Surviving cancer and riding bikes, me and Lance
Armstrong. :)
(See our "rides with Lance"
on the LIVESTRONG
2007
& 2008 pages,
our "century" ride on the
Reach the
Beach page, and our bike touring pictures
here.) |
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A few cancer related links...
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My clinic in Portland,
Oregon
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Lance Armstrong's organization
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Good resource
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If you, or someone close to
you are battling cancer, and you need someone to
talk to,
feel free to email me: Michelle@TandemRide.com
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