It had been 4-1/2 years since my initial cancer diagnosis and four years of tests that indicated no new cancer had been detected, so I was caught off guard when my urologist paused during the examination and told me my cancer had returned. “We caught it early, he said, but we’ll have to do a biopsy to see how aggressive it is.”
The only thing more surprising to me than the diagnosis was my initial reaction: “Thank you, God, for the past four years.”
Sometimes, I am accused of being cavalier about my health. Not true; I just appreciate how blessed I have been. I survived pneumonia, heart ablation surgery, influenza amid the Covid outbreak, and bladder cancer—always with the support of an army of prayer warriors. With this kind of history, it would be hard to not see 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 as a guiding principle.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Please don’t get me wrong. Following my initial feeling of thankfulness, I immediately went through the “What now?” phase.” I skipped over the “Do not be anxious about anything,” and went straight to the “but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
God answers prayers. Sometimes he says, “yes.” Sometimes, “No.” Sometimes we are put on hold. My urologist, Dr. Tran, said it was a superficial, but aggressive cancer. He had been able to remove it and there was no penetration of the bladder. Once I get past a CT scan and a six-week Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment, I am prayerfully hopeful I will be back on the list of those whose cancer is in remission. (BCG is a tuberculosis vaccine that triggers the immune system to attack cancer. This is the same protocol that was used when I was first diagnosed.)
Anyone who has gone through a serious health crisis will tell you that one of the toughest parts of the experience is worrying about your loved ones. They live a daily struggle as they walk alongside the one who is afflicted. 2nd Corinthians 1:3-4 reminds us that they do not struggle alone:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Through this experience, I have tried to focus on the “C” word: Christ.
Bonnie and I want to thank those who have kept us on your prayer list, and to those who are facing personal challenges, we offer the encouraging words of
Romans 12:11-12:
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Blessings
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Because He Loves Us Press 