I'm not going to lie to you. When I imagined going into the doctor's office today I imagined hearing that it was going to be bad. I really am not creative enough to imagine how bad. I have a rare for of cancer called desmoplastic, which are small round cell tumors. This is an aggressive form of cancer that occurs in males in their teens to early 20s.
I'm starting aggressive chemotherapy on Tuesday. I'll be in the hospital 4 days and then home for about 2 weeks, then into the hospital again for 4 days, then home for another 2 weeks, and then back in the hospital again for 4 days.
I'm doing ok right now. I don't want to die. I want to live and fight this thing and look back at this 15 years from now and marvel at the goodness of God. I need your support and prayers now more than ever.
~B.
Ben,
ReplyDeleteAs I was out weeding this afternoon (every one of those little weeds was a cancer cell being destroyed in my mind), I was praying for you. A verse came to mind. I think it's for all of us: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." So this God of ours will be in that hospital room with you, killing those bad cells. This is the God who knew every day of your life before you were conceived in my womb. This is the God who will never leave you or forsake you. Fight, Ben. Fight with the strength of the Lord. There is an army of prayer warriors standing with you. May God be fully glorified in the battle and in your life.
I am with you always, too.
I love you,
Mom
Hey Ben-
ReplyDeleteI've sure been praying for you and your family a lot. I was just reading in Luke and really liked this story....I thought of you so here it is.
This follows immediately after the disciples asking Jesus how to pray:
Luke 11:5-8
"Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.'; amd from inside he answers and says, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even thought he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs."
My prayers are persistent as I know all of your friends and family are persistent too.
Peace to you,
Diane (in Italy)
Hey Ben. I just heard the news. I understand the words in this post, but their real meaning vastly surpasses my comprehension. I do not understand what you're going through.
ReplyDeleteI do not have much support to give--I'm not really a man of significant resources--but I can offer you one thing. I finally really came home after being away since I started college in 2002, and wanted to build something that I have needed my entire life: a group of guys who I could push and encourage, and who could push and encourage me. It's a work in progress. But if you want to come to the Young Men's Project (as we're calling it now), it would be an honor to have you. It's at 8 on Saturdays (like tonight) in the Youth Room. Godspeed.
-Justin Key