Hanging around people with cancer can be a mixed bag. Over the last two and a half weeks, I have been visiting the cancer radiation center here in Macon, Georgia and I have had a chance to talk to a few patients and listen to their stories.
First, when having radiation treatments it means five days a week, Monday through Friday. Normally at the same time every day. Mine is scheduled for 8:00 each morning. This also means I run into the same folks coming in around my time. We get to talk a bit and normally the conversation is about my treatment versus theirs. Most the men are coming because of prostate cancer and most of the women, breast cancer. And for everyone I have met this is their first go-round with radiation, except for me.
When I tell anyone that I had 48 treatments twelve years ago, the re-action is one of hope for some and others already have a hope beyond anything I can give them. Some want to know more and understand why my treatments were so successful. Others just praise God. I was talking with a guy yesterday. He was on his 40th of 43 treatments. I could see that there was some doubt about how effective they were going to be. Then I told him my story. I heard a little more hope in his voice. Unfortunately, we did not get to complete our conversation, but I believe he will remember the guy who was still hanging in there 12 years beyond radiation. I hope so.
Last week I was talking to a woman who was scheduled for 38 treatments for a breast cancer tumor. She was one of those really ‘up’ kind of people smiling and confident. She talked about having faith. When I told her my story, she just nodded and said God still had plans for both of us. I guess that time she gave me hope I will remember.
Of the four folks I have talked to it is split right about down the middle of those who are relying on faith and those who are just trusting modern medicine to pull them through or just hanging on.
I understand both. I remember 2007 when I was like those who came there every day seeking for the treatments to be the answer. I wanted to beat the odds and live, but I always had that feeling of despair and maybe even desperation. Now in 2018 I relate to the people I have talked to who hang on to their faith. They are ready for whatever He has planned for them. No despair and certainly no desperation.
The truth is you don’t have to hang out with cancer patients to find this divide in the world. The fact is that the percentages of those who live without faith or trust in God I think far outweigh those that do. But what I think most of them do not realize is that you don’t have to be a cancer patient to be close to death. We live in a vulnerable world and there are no promises when we get up in the morning that we will still be here that evening.
Jesus had this warning, “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.” (Matthew 24:43) Really in the end that is what faith is, vigilance and not taking any day of our life for granted. Living each one as if it was our last.
When we live in faith knowing we have already been saved by the grace of God and the cross of Jesus, to me each day becomes brighter and more of an adventure. I want to see what that day will bring, and I am prepared to not let Satan steal one precious moment.
With the re-occurrence of cancer, I think I am more aware of what each day means but also, I have an urgency and I want to live in these words of Jesus, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest?” Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are already white for the harvest.” (John 4:35) Each one of these days are not just about my survival but of sharing the miracle of life and life everlasting.
Tomorrow and for the next 20 weekdays I am praying I will be able to share hope with those folks who are coming for treatments. Not just my story of cancer but my story of hope and joy. I think my friend was right when she smiled and said, “I think God still has plans for us!” All I must do is live those plans with everything I have and by His grace maybe one more person will find hope in Jesus Christ. How about you?
Blessings John,
5/16/18
Usually I would not say this in such a public forum but today I must. I love you John Weston. You inspire me and I praise God that we have the realization that each breath is a gift and one to be used wisely. I am so blessed that God brought us together and I can only pray such things for others.