Take Comfort...

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23)

Thursday we received bad news regarding my father. He had gone for another MRI on Wednesday and the results were very discouraging. There was a large mass of cancer attached to his spinal cord. Because the cancer is in his lymphnodes, it is spreading like wildfire. The doctors told my mom that he is in serious danger of becoming paralyzed. The cancer has weakened his spinal column to the degree that any movement could cause it to snap and paralyze him. The choices are to have back surgery to remove the mass and put a cement-like material in to stablize the spine, or keep him sedated, comfortable and as pain free as possible for whatever time he has left. The doctors are not sure someone in his condition could endure the surgery without high risk. He is seeing the neurosurgeon on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the options and see if he is even capable of making it through surgery.

Thursday morning, when my mom got to the rehab center, she asked Dad how he was feeling. His typical answers are that he is in pain, not doing well, usually it's a complaint of one sort or another. This time it was different. She said his face was peaceful and he told her that things were good, he was headed in the right direction and it was all going to be okay. (She still has not shared with him the results of the test). We know the Lord is with Dad, but what an awesome and heart-wrenching moment to realize he had a very clear encounter with God and the Lord had given him peace. When I visualize the angels of heaven taking my Dad by the hands and ushering him into God's presence, the One he has served his entire life...with a glorified, perfect, pain-free and cancer-free body, how could I be so selfish to not want to let him go?

We were able to come in town for a quick visit this weekend. We arrived mid-afternoon on Saturday and went straight to the rehab center. They've got him pretty sedated and he was talking out of his head, drifting in and out of sleep. It was good to hold his hand and tell him how much I love him and have him open his eyes, respond and smile.

There are so many people praying for him, and so many that have been such an encouragement to my mom. Tommy, your parents have visited quite a few times and are always so kind to bring my mom some lunch, or anything she needs. She has told me numerous times how much it has meant to her.

Please continue to pray for both my mom and dad. Pray that the Doctors will have wisdom in their treatment plan and will give mom guidance on the next step. Thank you, my friends for your constant encouragement and support...you are all but just a phone call away and I love you guys! I will post an update as soon as I know anything.