The Blessing of Cancer

Is that possible…..to find any good in cancer?  Yes! Hearing that diagnosis and then the subsequent treatment was no cake walk, but there is definitely a sliver lining in this cloud. On a lighter side, when else could I sport a mohawk?

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I enjoyed sending this photo to my punk -rocker- mohawk -sporting nephew, Caleb.  I think I look more like one of my trolls I used to play with as a child, then a punk rocker!

I want to write more about that day the hair fell out in a future blog……. my mohawk was the result of trying to make some fun out of a day that had a rough start as the tub drain filled with hair.  Thanks to my daughter, Karis, she made this shave day actually fun.  Blessings of cancer?   Well, with the hair gone  I sure saved some money on hair products and beauticians….. along with time saved standing in front of the mirror blow drying and styling those locks.  That is a definite positive when you’re not feeling good and you can just put on a hat or a wig or go around “bulb” as my grandson Logan called it.  I saved time setting the shaver aside with hairless legs……I lost a few pounds I had been wanting to get rid of………  Yes, you can find little blessings in cancer.  The bigger blessings are there, too.  Life slows down as you rest more.  I caught up on some reading.  Priorities are definitely rearranged.  Cancer taught my husband and I  what is really important in life.  Every day becomes a gift.  Whatever you are stressing about right now will pale with  life and death on the line.  What is important in life definitely rises to the surface and the  things we would normally fuss about shift into their rightful ‘this ain’t worth worrying about compartment’.  People are important, not things.  I also had a deeper compassion for bald folks who would rather not be.  It was always a good conversation started.  My heart was soft for each one.

I still haven’t gotten over the outpouring of love and support as I walked through the cloud of cancer and chemo. First of all, my husband…..what a sweet and tender man I saw. After all we went through, I told him he was really stuck with me now! My sweet daughters and their husbands, how they loved me and encouraged me. My folks, my brothers, my sister……I think I’m going to cry just rethinking all the kindnesses shown to me. Friends and folks I didn’t even know sent care packages. Cancer was such an eye opener when it came to love and support….a real blessing.

Cancer gives time.  If your prognosis is not fixable, the time left is precious.  Time to get right with people, more importantly, time to get right with God.  We all will vacate our earth suites.  Your soul continues on forever.  Do your homework! The Bible is your ‘Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth’!  Read it!  You got the time!  It’s of utmost importance to get this right. If you’re not familiar with it, begin with the book of John.  Try the Psalms for comfort.

For me, the  struggle though chemo brought a slower pace of life and time to go deeper  with God.  I count those months as precious as I look back.   I could go to Him with all my questions and find  kind eyes and a warm heart always reminding me He knows suffering. He entered our world and suffered in unimaginable ways.   That is the kind of God I want, the kind of God I have, the kind of God I want for you.  One who comes along side while we are hurting and ‘knows’.  He may not answer all those questions I bring, but I’m confident I’m speaking with One who knows suffering and is always there to comfort.

So, take some time to look at the bright side.  Be positive.  Get into your instruction manual, the Bible.  Find comfort in the arms of our Good Shepherd.  His lap is big enough for you.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.  2 Corinthians 1:3-5