It is not often that life forces us to face our own mortality and it is not one of the favorite subjects of blogging as I see it, but sometimes our own imminent death forces itself on us. Last September I was diagnosed with Melanoma, a dangerous and often deadly form of skin cancer. I was told at the time that if it comes back a second time, there might be little they could do about it, so a spot was removed from my right hand and I went through a series of chemotherapy treatments, the last of which nearly killed me. Then early this month, June, they found melanoma in a lymph node under my right arm which necessitated a second surgery from which I am still recovering--all of this to say that I was forced to consider the very real possibility of the end of my days. As a pastor and preacher of the Word for more than 50 years, I had presumed to help others through similar situations and have officiated at many funerals. Is it now my turn?
I don’t want to be morbid about this and my kids will likely fuss at me, but it has been a valuable experience. I have had time to think and even plan. I can’t imagine how one would do all this is the few split seconds before a head-on car crash or a massive heart attack.
Anyway, long story short, earlier this week my surgeon reported that of the 19 lymph nodes he removed from under my right arm, only one was infected with cancer and that the CT/PET scan they did of my whole body, showed that only that one lymph node was infected with cancer. That has now been removed, and as far as the doctor knows, I am cancer free. So I feel a bit like Hezekiah, the king of Israel whom God gave 15 more years of life – 2 Kings 20:5-6. And I have a new and stronger appreciation for prayer.
After getting the disturbing news that my cancer had returned, I sent out a prayer letter by Email. I requested the elders of our church to pray for me according to James 4 and began to receive assurances and promises of prayer from people all over the world. I believe the Lord has heard those prayers as he did that of Hezekiah. So I am praising the Lord for his goodness and grace to another undeserving soul.
