Thursday, December 21, 2017

Surrender and Praise

This week was Ed's MRI. Ever since Ed's last MRI, which showed a slight increase in the size of Ed's tumor, I've been dreading this scan.

One of Ed's doctors is an optimist that said, "The size increase might just be swelling from radiation. You don't have any symptoms of tumor growth. We'll wait to see what the next MRI shows."

Ed's other doctor takes a more pessimistic approach. He is probably realistic about the statistical progression of glioblastoma. Typically, even with surgery, radiation, and chemo, this cancer begins to regrow within 6 to 8 months of diagnosis. We are past seven months. This doctor encouraged us to begin researching our treatment options and making plans for when the tumor regrows.

We continue to pray that God will heal Ed, but we also saw the wisdom in looking into our medical options. When Ed was diagnosed in May, he felt too awful to help make medical decisions. In the last month we have done a lot of reading, talking to medical professionals, and discussing various options for recurrent GBM. We were able to start some of the molecule testing that will need done if Ed ever decides to try some of the new immunotherapy. 

These past weeks gave me an chance to evaluate my attitude again. I realize again that Ed is God's child and I need to surrender Ed and our future to God. As this week approached I felt a complete peace about the MRI. Whatever would happen wasn't going to surprise God.

Yesterday I played phone tag with the nurse. She called when I was out and then she busy when I called back. I could hardly believe that I was so calm. I know many of you were praying; we felt very supported. I also knew that God wasn't going to abandon us.

And the results? There has been no change in size or shape of Ed's tumor since his last scan. His tumor is considered "stable."

Praise the Lord! It feels as if we have been given a few more months (at least until Ed's next MRI) to enjoy normal life.

But I still want to wake every morning with the realization that we are in God's hands and surrender each moment to Him. I believe that only a life spent living for God is worth living.


35 comments :

  1. Rejoicing with you! What a blessed Christmas gift for your family! Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just praise God with you for this news. I am sure I am among many just watching you walk with God. Peace, yes peace is a very good thing!!! I pray for the very best for you and family and thank you so much for sharing. It is a help to us with other battles. Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Praise the Lord! Your words are such a wonderful gift. Even though I don't know you personally, only through the internet, I have been praying for Ed since the diagnoses. Your faith and calmness astound me and even though I am probably twice your age, I have a lot to learn from you.
    May God continue to bless you, Ed and your sweet family through the coming year.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Praising and Praying with you. What would we do if we didn't have God's "peace which passeth understanding" as we walk through this life!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Praising God with you, Gina! What a blessing to hear this wonderful news!

    And yes, I so agree with your last sentences here: "But I still want to wake every morning with the realization that we are in God's hands and surrender each moment to Him. I believe that only a life spent living for God is worth living." I couldn't agree more!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Praising the Lord with you! We were praying for the MRI and for peace for your hearts. So happy to hear the good news!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Praise our Lord for a stable report! We are still praying for a complete recovery for Ed. Praise our Lord for another wonderful Christmas together for your family! I read that lots of carrot juice has been proven to shrink tumors. May God bless you all!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Praising God with your family! May you all have a precious time with family, friends and at the feet of Jesus this Christmas! Love and Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Praising God! Everytime your email pops up, I worry It might be bad news. I think of you all and pray for you often. So happy you got this news before Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Praising God for this good newx. Ed and all of you are on my prayer wall so I've been praying for no increase in the tumor. Our God is faithful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good news, Gina, especially at this time of year. My thoughts are with you folks always. Peace and light to you and your family this Christmastime. And may the new year bring more good news. God bless....

    ReplyDelete
  12. OH PRAISE the LORD! What a wonderful gift! Praying for complete recovery...God willing! We trust Him no matter what his plans are. God does not wast suffering, He is being glorified in and through this trial, thanks to your faithfullness. In total agreement with you and others, that the only life worth living is a life with, and for Gods glory. MERRY CHRISTMAS and ...(( HUGGS!! ))

    ReplyDelete
  13. Praise God indeed!! Thank you FATHER!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Praise God! May you have a wonderful, peaceful, joyous Christmas together as a family. Continuing to pray for you....

    ReplyDelete
  15. I was sooo happy when I read this!! Praise God!
    Keeping y’all in prayer!

    ReplyDelete
  16. God is good! Thank you for sharing Ed's results with us. I'm still praying for your family and your brother too.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Praising God with you! Enjoy this happy season with your family. You are often in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  18. God leads us along.
    I am grateful that God is allowing more pages to be added to Ed's book of life.
    Diane

    ReplyDelete
  19. Praise God! I'm rejoicing with you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Praise the Lord! We are happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've been thinking of you all this season. Praying...

    ReplyDelete
  22. Another wonderful gift at this time of the year (the first being Jesus, of course) but you surely know by now that God inhabits the praises of his people as you are so quick to praise Him even in this time of trial.

    Still praying for the complete removal of the tumor - God is so good and we know it can happen!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Praise God. Merry Christmas to your beautiful family.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Well, my dear friend, I feel like this MRI result is the sweetest, dearest Christmas present for your family. This news is making my heart lighter, too. We truly do think of you often and pray, pray, pray for Ed's health. The peace you speak of is as much a miraculous working of our Father as ever I have heard. It seems that those of us who follow along at a distance are in a "sacred classroom" as it were. God is teaching us, helping us to wrestle with this major issue of trust and surrender. Much to learn, much to put into practice.
    Well, have a lovely time of celebration of our gracious Father sending His Son to make a way for us to spend eternity with Him someday. We of all people have reason to rejoice!

    ReplyDelete
  25. There are tears in my eyes as I read this. Praise be to God. I don't know you personally, but your words have touched me many times, and your family continues to be in my prayers. Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Gina, praise God. That is good news especially at Christmas. I wish you, Ed and your family God's richest blessings this Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Well I'm still praying and I'm praying for a miracle! I am thinking about you from Oregon.

    ReplyDelete
  28. What good news before Christmas. I pray that you all enjoy the Christmas season and are blessed by God in the new year. It can be tough when there are medical problems but resting on God's will is the only way that I have been able to survive the roller coaster.

    Praying for blessings
    shelley p
    from over the pond

    ReplyDelete
  29. So glad to hear that good news! May God continue to bless you with wisdom with decisions and the peace that passeth understanding! Praying for your family!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Praise God! Our family has been lifting you in prayer to our Heavenly Father. 🙏🏼 In His Love, Jamie

    ReplyDelete
  31. We, and our church, continue to pray for Ed and for all of you. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and may you start out the new year full of optimism and with happy hearts.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Praying for y'all, I've been coming to your page for about a year now for the sour dough recipes and I had never read your blogs. I only today got caught up on your blog and am saddened to heard of Eds condition. But I rejoice with you on the victories recently. Praying for your whole family. I just love your recipes and noe I've fallen in love with your blog. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank God. I think of you often, thanks for updating and thanks for your Faith!
    I appreciate authenticity of your writing! Praying for joy and peace
    Valerie

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails