Yesterday was a big day for us. Doctors determined that we will not do any more treatments, chemo or radiation. We will go back to Duke in a few weeks for some blood tests concerning the infection that I still have. Then we will return to Duke every three months for scans. We pray that every scan will be the same as the one last week - all clear and cancer free.
I decided to ask Dr. Zafar a question that I had really wondered about. How do I describe myself? Do I say that I "have" cancer, or do I say that I "had" cancer. His answer was very encouraging. Although I cannot be declared "cancer free" for five years, I can tell people that I had cancer and now I am a cancer survivor.
I do know this. I can describe myself as one blessed man! I am well aware that the odds of beating pancreatic cancer are very slim. But I am even more aware that I serve a God that doesn't give a happy squat about odds. My prayer is that you know that same God.
So . . . how do you describe yourself?
It is definitely "Shoutin Time" at Garris Chapel!!! Thank you Jesus!!! We give you all the Praise for this blessing. Wendy Whitfield!!
ReplyDeleteYou became a survivor the day you were diagnosed.
ReplyDeleteGlory be to the God of Mercy and Promise! I saw your dad at Mac Donalds this afternoon ( a friend introduced us) and I heard the fabulous news from him. That is one happy man!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a divine blessing God has graced you with Jerry. And I can think of no better man to share the glad tidings of your cancer journey as you are a living example of HOPE.
I believe our Lord has some more work set aside just for you ~~ no rest for God's army of followers ~~ ! Lead on Jerry, you have just begun to see the miracles awaiting us all. Sister Mary Magdalene
Adore your "But I am even more aware that I serve a God that doesn't give a happy squat about odds."
ReplyDeleteYou probably know these scriptures, but it is always beneficial to review his word which describes man as the offspring of God.
Psalms 37:37 "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright:"
Genesis 1:31 "God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good."
Genesis 1:27 "God created man in his own image; in the image of God created he him;"
Deuteronomy 32:3,4 "Declare the greatness of our God!...His work is perfect;"
Acts 3:1,2,4,7-10, 12 "And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this?" Acts 13
Acts 16 "And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."
Psalms 56:4 "In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me."
1 Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto though art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."
Philipians 3:13-15 13 "Breathren, I count not myself to have apprehened: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."
Love,
Sandy