I don't think I will do it justice at this late date but I will try to recall as much of God's provisions, probably a general sense of them, during the past 3 years.
In January 2006, Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was a very small spot on a chest xray and it was absolutely God who caused her doctor to even see it! (God thing) She was referred to the leading oncologist at Centennial Medical Center, along with other precious physicians who were kind and took the time to explain procedures, etc. Because of the actual progression of the cancer, surgery was scheduled to remove part of her left lung. At that point it was discovered that cancer was in the lymph nodes, as well. Chemo and radiation followed quickly and she did that for about 6 months.
Living 1 1/2 hours away from Nashville posed a potential hassle for receiving treatments which were every day for radiation and once a week for chemo. There is an amazing resource called Hope Lodge, where patients receiving treatments can stay free of charge. (God thing) Mom and Dad stayed there during her time of treatment. She never lost her hair but did experience side effects due to the radiation/chemo/pill regiment.
2 months passed between Mom's treatments and scan that everything looked good and the time Dad started getting sick. (God thing.) In August of 2006, Dad was diagnosed with liver cancer, unknown origin. They never knew where his cancer started. The 2 months time frame was a God thing to me because they weren't getting treatments at the same time. Mom was still very weak but the busyness of each illness took place at separate times.
Dad began chemo treatments right away. What he didn't know after the initial oncology visit was that without treatment he had only 3 months. The doctor was some hopeful at the 2nd visit that treatments could help so Dad agreed to chemo. I don't know if he ever knew the initial thought of the oncologist.
Dad lost his hair and it came back black...just like his Daddy's! What chemo did for Dad was give him 6 months. But in that time we were able to go to Disney World at Christmas 2006...Mom, Dad, Ronnie, Julia, and myself. We stayed at at DW resort and had lots of fun. It was also sad because I think Mom knew then that Dad wouldn't make it.
Back to God things: Mom and Dad's family doctor is a Christian man. God thing. He prayed with them on numerous occasions. God thing. He made sure they had the right and best doctors. God thing. When February 2007 came and we had to get Hospice for Dad, Dr. Chastain recommended the best...and we got them. God Thing. ANYTIME Mom or Dad needed medical attention while at home, Dr. Chastain's office was there. God thing. Of course, Mom worked part-time for Dr. Chastain so they had built a relationship. When Dr. Chastain knew that Dad had cancer too, he took off on his motorcycle and couldn't tell my parents until he had spent a little time away in prayer. Dr. Chastain and Greta Minton were with us the night Dad passed away. What a huge blessing that was! Dr. Chastain was able to pronounce him at home. He called the funeral home. He and Greta loved on us like nobody else would have. God thing.
Dad went home to be with the Lord on February 16, 2007. After only 1 week with hospice. I had hoped for more yet didn't want him to suffer. I would pray that God would take him on but when he was taking his last breaths I prayed "just one more. Take one more breath". What a battle. But he didn't lie in a state of vegetation or anything. He was only completely out of it for a day or so.
God is not separate from or on the outside of our circumstances. He is in the middle. Carrying us. Walking with us. Putting people in our lives who love us and encourage us. People who are His hands and feet. God ordains what happens in our lives...not to hurt us but to draw us to Himself. To make us more like Christ.
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