I have good news to report! The doctor has reported that the cancer appears to be in partial remission. Praise God! This means that the multiple cancerous tumours in my mom's lung have shrunk and there is no new cancer growth. In fact, only one tumour remains which has shrunk from its original size.
In addition to this, the doctor has also reported that my mom has had an above-average response to the chemotherapy treatments! Wow! No doubt a result of our prayers!
We have many reasons to be joyful and when I look back, the work of God and the presence of the the Holy Spirit has been undeniable. The many provisions that God has provided to both me and my family has been a constant reminder of His faithfulness:
- My workload these past terms have been lighter than ever before,
allowing me to come home every weekend to spend time with my family.
Plus, God has provided so many good friends to drive me back and
forth between Toronto and Waterloo (you know who you are... thank you
SO much!!!)
- Despite the winter months, the flu season, crazy schedules and not
enough sleep, my family has stayed relatively healthy and my mom's
immune system, although weakened, has been able to fight off illness!
- My aunt was able to return to Toronto from Hong Kong, to take care
of my grandmother so that my dad could focus on taking care of my
mom, and so that my mom could focus on getting better!
- Our close friends, with family members recently through cancer
treatments, knew exactly how to take care of us and prepare us for
the treatments!
- My mom's huge head of hair is still quite full despite the usual
side effects of chemotherapy! I just keep thinking about the passage
in Matthew 10:30 ("And even the very hairs of your head are all
numbered.") and how my Father in heaven has prepared my mother to
endure this in advance!
- We have friends at the hospital where my mom was getting her
treatments, who helped us with appointments, dropped by for many
visits and supported us in every way they could with all the
resources they had at their disposal
- The overwhelming love from our congregation who loved us like
members of their own family and prayed unceasingly!
- The peace and joy, strength and endurance that we received from the
Lord... despite the struggles and obstacles... we have had so many
reasons to rejoice!!!
- The outpouring of love through emails, phone calls, food and soup,
smiles and hugs, and PRAYERS have been incredibly remarkable!
I could go on and on... it's really so amazing how I have experienced God in so many ways through this experience, and the provision of our Lord. I stand in awe!
"But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:24-26
I have seen this passage lived out in my life, and in the life of my family... we have suffered together, let us now rejoice in God's provision together!
Thank you all for everything you have done... I cannot thank you enough! :) Please keep praying that the cancer will remain in remission and that we will all continue experiencing God together!
Joyfully!
Deb
