Post Number Two
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 04:20PM 
UNWELCOME REALITY
July 18, 2009
We are reeling form the discovery that Terry has cancer. A routine test last week discovered the mass. Biopsy confirms it. On Thursday, July 16 we met with the oncologist and the radiologist. She will undergo a six week course of radiation and chemo therapy to shrink the tumor. Surgery will come late in October. Once she recovers from surgery she will face four months of follow on chemo therapy. It is the follow on therapy that is likely to be the worst.
Neither one of us has ever felt such panic as when the mass was discovered. Once the word "cancer" was spoken I cannot hardly remember a thing the doctor said. Her mouth was moving, but I could only hear the word "cancer." I guess we had become a bit arrogant in our expectation that good health was our right. We know better than that. We have no privilege beyond the reach of cancer.
Now we are trying to face this unwelcome reality. Optimism is justified. As serious as this is, we have good reason to believe that the treatment and therapy will be effective. The next ten months will be very difficult and Terry will face things we never wanted to face. Never the less, we have already been surrounded by the love and the prayers of our family and friends in the church.
How often I have counseled people to trust in God, take one day at a time, and find the blessing in each and every day. Now it is time for Terry and me to allow others to counsel us in the same way. To every thing there is a season; a time to serve and a time to be served by others. This I know. Nothing is certain ahead of us, but our hearts are filled with confidence and hope. Whatever may come, the love of God has sustained us and will continue to do so.
Dave Gladstone
Reader Comments (2)
We (the Port Huron congregation) are with you as much as anyone can be on this journey. What we are counting on is that you will live up to your statement about not suffering through this in silence and asking for help when you know what help you need. If we have to guess what you need, we will guess incorrectly.
Terry and Dave,
You both (and of course, your family) are in my thoughts and prayers.