Some have asked me what my thoughts are regarding Brittany Maynard ending her life. They especially want to know my thoughts because they know I was diagnosed with the same type of brain cancer. To be honest, I have been praying much for all of her family and connections. My heart goes out to all who knew her. As some of you may realize, I was diagnosed with a fist size glioblastoma (gbm) tumour 22 months ago today. I was just 41 years old. Ultimately we all make our choices in life. Choices matter. As for me, I had brain surgery, I also had 30 radiation treatments through the back of my head and out the front...through the right side and out the left side...as of last Friday, I have had 142 chemo treatments. No, I cant drive because Ive lost my lower left peripheral vision but I simply refuse to focus on what I cant do. I refuse to focus on the prognosis or stats. Last I checked, I didnt see an expiry date stamped on me. I have kept a positive attitude along with my faith in God. If I listened to many others, I would have given up a long time ago. I would have missed seeing my daughter Renee graduate a few months ago as the Valedictorian. I would have missed her first day of College. I would have missed the latest song that my daughter Samantha just learned, I would have missed the opportunity to share hope with literally thousands of people in my community on a half hour radio broadcast, I would have missed the opportunity to share hope as the speaker at a local relay for life event, I would have missed the opportunity to sit beside a man who was feeling all alone, facing chemo treatments, and just needed me to give him a smile and speak some positive words of encouragement to him. He thanked me over and over again, I would have missed the opportunity to enjoy precious time with my beautiful wife & 2 sweet girls. I would have missed the opportunity to continue pastoring a wonderful congregation. Yes, many only live a few months but many have defied the odds, living many years. I have a friend who lives just an hour from me that has lived 13 years since having a gbm diagnosis. There is hope! As a minister, I have been with some who passed away with brain cancer and many other types of cancer. All I can say is this. I have put my faith in God, faith in my doctors, faith in my family and also faith in myself. God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way. I say, feed your faith & starve your doubts! The world says, “Seeing is believing” – Faith says, “Believing is seeing.” I say, focus on what you have, not on what you don’t have. Remember, fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow. Faith is a force that is greater than any knowledge, power or skill...And many defeats turn to triumph if you trust in God’s wisdom and will. As for me, Ive chosen to place my life in the hands of my creator, the one who knows my end from the beginning. I feel peace & comfort in this decision.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 01:23:06 +0000
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