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| Photo by Thangaraj Kumaravel; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode |
The Old
When I say 2014 was rough, I’m not exaggerating. It’s truly been a series of compilations, with some successes sprinkled about. I’ve battled serious graft-versus-host disease, infections, three hospital stays, weight loss, poor eye sight, breathing problems, and a host of other maladies. The success of my transplant still hangs in the balance a year later, as my native DNA tries to make a comeback and push out my donor cells.
I was reminded of this just the other day when seeing my doctor. My last few lab tests showed a small amount of “blasts”, or immature white blood cells, in my peripheral blood. This could be indicative that the cancer has returned. However, blasts can also be released from the bone marrow when someone has an infection, as I’ve had. My doctor and I discussed the implications of relapse, and it wasn’t good. It could mean my transplant failed and I have few options left. As you can imagine, I started envisioning all the possible scenatios, none of them good.
When he left to get my results, so began the longest ten minutes of my life. I prayed as fervently as I ever have, asking God for healing and mercy.
So when my doctor opened the door and immediately said, “Good news,” you can again imagine the relief I felt. My blood tests showed zero blasts present. “Thank you, Lord, I exhaled,” as he explained my results. When the appointment was over, I went to the
The New
If all goes well, Christi, the girls, and I will be moving to Texas this summer for a year. “What?!” you say, “if all goes well?” Yes, and praise the Lord for the opportunity.
A few months ago I applied to attend the US Army War College, a year-long graduate-level training program for Army senior leaders. Rather that attending the War College in Pennsylvania, I was awarded a Fellowship at the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at Texas A&M University, where I will conduct research on interational affairs and attend classes, lectures, etc.
It gets better, Texas A&M is in College Station, only about 90 miles from Houston and my doctors at MD Anderson. They will be able tp monitor my health more closely and without me hopping on an airplane every few months. The crazy thing is that I didn’t even list this as one of my selections. It seems the Lord knows more about what’s good for me than I do.
Isn’t that just like God? Honestly, I’ve contributed very little to the Army in the last couple of years while I’ve been fighting cancer, but yet He has seen fit to promote me and give me this opportunity,
Admittedly, we’re not enthusiastic about leaving family and friends, moving half-way across the country again with two little kids, finding new babysitters, pediatricians, etc. But, this is an incredible opportunity, a chance for restoration, career advancement, and moving on to a new stage in our lives. So far, our time in Texas, while challenging, has been fruitful and we are praying that won’t change.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 41:19 NIV)
God made a way for us during 2014. There is still wilderness ahead in 2015, but hopefully it will soon be followed by peaceful pastures and calm waters. Regardless, the Lord will make a way as long as we continue to follow Him.