The first day of any new stage in life can be nerve-wracking. I think back to all of the days that I started a brand new school, the first day of a new internship, my first day as a teacher. Anticipation fills your heart, and regardless of any expectations you may have, you dread all of the possible situations that may come to pass. With any new endeavor, there is always a possibility that things will be uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Especially when that new endeavor is fighting cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The unknowns were staring us all in the face on Monday, November 20th<\/sup>, 2017: my dad\u2019s first day of chemo treatment. He arrived at Clearview Cancer Institute first thing in the morning, and after meeting with his oncologist, he settled in for his first long stretch in the treatment room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine a big open room, with recliner-looking chairs spread out in rows, with cabinets and curtains between each one. Although they do a good job of hiding it, there is a lot of medical equipment, IV\u2019s, etc. and anything that may be needed for a patient while they are receiving therapy through their port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are kind volunteers floating around tending to the patients, handing out snacks or blankets. Nurses are hard at work keeping things moving smoothly for each and every person there. One or two chairs are placed in front of each of the treatment chairs for visitors. As you walk through the treatment room, you can see some patients sleeping, some visiting with loved ones, and others just working on a tablet or reading. It\u2019s really a pretty peaceful environment and nothing to be too dreadful of at all. In fact, the kindness and intentionality of the people in that place is unmatched, and to be there is to be in the midst of those who really understand what life is all about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes I imagine Jesus walking through that room. It\u2019s actually hard not to, because his presence is there. It\u2019s difficult to describe, really, and I believe a lot of people who work in the medical field must know what I am talking about. Places such as this, where some are filled with fear, or are facing dire circumstances, are where His presence is most tangible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ________<\/p>\n\n\n\n After having some blood work taken and getting his port connected to the IV, my dad began his five-hour infusion of meds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There happened to be a man in the treatment chair next to him who was about the same age as my dad. He even looked a little bit like my dad: salt and pepper hair, medium build, and a kind face. You know how you can tell that someone is kind just by looking at them? He was this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His name is Steve. He and my dad exchanged names, and brief descriptions about what led them to be in the chemo-treatment room. He met my mom, along with the rest of our family as we took turns sitting with my dad as he received chemo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steve had already been \u2018around the block\u2019 with chemo treatment, as he is fighting colon cancer that has metastasized to his liver. He flooded my dad with advice, in the best possible way. He humbly, yet gently explained the ways that he has coped and how having cancer has changed him for the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He told us that he has been more grateful and blessed since he was diagnosed with cancer than at any other time in his life, and that my dad would be too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He urged my dad to find peace in it all, and that he had been cloaked in \u201cPhilippians 4:6-7 peace\u201d since the time he found out he was sick. He knew that the Lord was with him, because as soon as the doctor told him about his incurable condition, he felt this peace and knew that it was not of himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFaith comes first, and then perspective.\u201d He said you have to have the right perspective and attitude. According to Steve (and others we have heard from who are familiar with cancer), there are two types of cancer patients. Those who lose hope the moment that they are diagnosed, and those who hold on to hope throughout. Nurses can tell between the two, and know that one group typically sees better results in the long run, while the other in essence is made up of people who have \u2018already died.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to think of the chemo as life-giving fluid. It\u2019s life-extending and life-giving. As you change your days and take out a huge chunk of your week to sit and receive the fluid, as you suffer from the side-effects, remember that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou may be walking through the grocery store, and a complete stranger will notice your hair loss, or your bag that is connected to your port, and ask to pray with you. You will be amazed at the number of people who can connect to what you\u2019re going through or have a loved one in a similar fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most striking things he said was, \u201cDon\u2019t let the cancer beat you. You know what I mean? Don\u2019t let it beat you. Even if it kills you, don\u2019t let it beat you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n People like my dad and Steve, and my mom\u2019s cousin Ginger, spread hope wherever they go. They don\u2019t let cancer beat them. It\u2019s something that is put into their path, into their bodies, and is evidence of a broken, broken world. The good news is, that is not the end of it. It doesn\u2019t have to win. What they have inside of them is much more lasting, eternal and strong than anything like cancer can try to extinguish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My dad\u2019s first day of treatment went well. I am confident that prayers for him were answered in Steve that day. He not only allowed my dad\u2019s first day to be more comfortable, he blessed us with his story and his words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next day, Steve texted my dad and said that was the best day he had had in a long time. And that he had been a business executive for many years, doing countless presentations, but he had never felt the Holy Spirit speak through him like he had the day before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.\u201d \u2013Philippians 4:6-7<\/p>\n\n\n\n