More Tests and a New Plan

Mike had his latest PET scan last week and we got the results today. The day got off to a rocky start as we discovered, at the hospital doors, I would not be allowed to attend Mike’s appointment or infusion with him. It was a surprise because I had been allowed in previously in the midst of this pandemic. So, we said our good-byes and I headed out to the parking lot.

Mike’s oncologist allowed him to call me and via speakerphone we discussed the scan. We heard the words “No Evidence of Disease in Mike’s liver”! The 2 tumors are gone – nothing at all showing up on the scans! Thank you, Jesus! We then heard that all the cancerous lymph nodes are 50% smaller than they were in January (and they were smaller then than they had been in July)! And, the primary tumor has shrunk some more! Praise God!

The oncologist went on to share that the spot on Mike’s esophagus the doctors had been keeping an eye on has become more metabolically active. In the oncologist’s mind, it is definitely cancer. This, however, did not surprise him. He said that Mike had had to have a systemic chemo treatment because his cancer had spread to other places in his body. Systemic chemo does not completely kill cancer at its primary origin. Initial tumors are radiated – which is what he believes is next for Mike. Since the spot has increased and Mike has developed a scratchy throat, the oncologist believes the radiation doctor will be motivated to start.

I think the best part for us came when the oncologist said that Mike is not the typical esophageal cancer patient. He said most EC patients take several meds just to help their livers and that most EC patients do not respond as well as Mike has. He is extremely pleased with the progress so far. These were such encouraging words to hear.

As I listened to those words, I was reminded of a conversation I had several week ago with a wise friend of mine. He had encouraged me to look for God’s yeses in ways I had not been. He pointed out to me that even though Mike was not cancer-free, he is definitely thriving and doing well. Though the journey is lasting longer than I had prayed (and hoped), Mike is getting better! The delay is not evidence that God is not listening, it is evidence that He is up to something I can’t see.

In John 11, we read the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus is friends with Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. In fact when the sisters send word to Jesus of Lazarus’ illness, their message is “Lord, your very dear friend is sick” (John 11:3). We would expect that Jesus would hop right up and head to over to heal Lazarus. Instead, Jesus stays where He is for 2 more days. He waits. When He is ready to go, the disciples are hesitant because of the danger they may encounter. Jesus stresses the importance of going by telling them that Lazarus had died and He added, “And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe.” A pastor I heard recently pointed out that the disciples’ faith would have increased if Jesus had gone immediately and healed Lazarus. But, by waiting until the situation was even darker – even more challenging – their faith would be strengthened so much more. Jesus had delayed, not because He was not going to intervene. He delayed in order to grow the faith of his disciples. A faith they would need to sustain them through what was to come in their futures.

I can see the connection to our journey. God could have taken care of the cancer right away. And, let’s face it, that would have been amazing! But, as much as it pains me to say it, the situations that most define us in our lives are typically not the ones that resolve quickly and easily. They are the ones that stretch us – that keep us up at night – that require discipline and dedication to overcome. And, so it is with faith. Our faith grows when it is stretched – when we face days with no answers and nights full of doubts. As James tells us, “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So, let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2 & 3).

And, so we continue in this marathon battle with cancer, strengthened by the evidence that God is working — both in Mike’s body and in our faith.

If you would like to pray for Mike, he is having an endoscopic ultrasound and biopsy of his esophagus (the date for this is still to be determined) and is meeting with the radiation doctor on April 23. The plan right now is for him to have the final dose of the chemo is currently taking on May 4. We continue to pray for a clean PET scan and to hear the words “NO Evidence of Disease anywhere in Mike’s body.”