Friends with Cancer

For some reason right now I have a number of people in my life that are suffering with cancer.

My co-worker Kathy has been fighting cancer of the appendix for over 2 years. Her appendix ruptured during the original removal surgery, leaving cancer cells throughout her abdomen. She has twice spent more than 6 weeks getting treatment from a specialist in Washington DC. And she recently needed more surgery to clear a blockage. The battle doesn't ever seem to be over. But Kathy is a strong determined woman. I pray for her daily.

The son of one of my friends at church was diagnosed with leukemia in May. He is only 6 years old. He's had many rounds of intense chemo already and he's constantly on maintenance chemo. His chemo schedule is as follows: Daily oral chemo, once a week an additional oral chemo (on Tuesdays he gets 2 oral chemos), IV chemo once a month, five days each month he gets steroids, and every 84 days he gets spinal chemo. This is an 84 day cycle that will just keep repeating until July 19, 2007. My friend also has 2 girls that are older and a wonderful God-fearing husband. It's a scary road. She told me on Sunday that if her son gets chicken pox it would be fatal - due to his weakened immune system.

I can't imagine having such daily life struggles.

Here's something that I posted on my friend's web site a couple of weeks ago:

"Dear Friends, Thanks for continuing to share your family's experience. I appreciate your frank hearts and your willingness to share the good things and the bad things that happen on this journey with your son's health. All Glory and Honor and Praise to our Lord Jesus as He helps you all get through each day. God is definitely using this "present struggle" to grow all of us."

I know that God gives strength to handle whatever comes. But I pray that His plans don't include me getting super strength in handling disease in our family.