The Joy in Cancer

Throughout my life, I have battled cancer.  Not in the way that others who are diagnosed with the physical disease, but I have battled it emotionally for most of my life.  Just hearing the word CANCER is enough to turn my stomach into knots.  Once you have experienced a loved one with cancer, or worse, lost a loved one to cancer, it is difficult to explain the magnitude of the word to others. 

During the summer between 7th and 8th grade, my sister was diagnosed with cancer.  She had been complaining of a knot in the upper part of her right arm for several weeks.  I remember us sitting at the dinner table one night and Sondra rubbing her arm telling Mom that it still hurt.  And I remember exactly where I was when my mother told me it was cancer. I was standing in front of my closet door, hanging up the laundry she had just laid on my bed.  As she stood next me, I could tell she didn't know how to tell me.  "The tumor is cancer," she said softly.  I remember asking, "Is she going to die?"  I really don't remember how my mother answered, because at that point her answer didn't really matter.  My sister had cancer and in 1988 that was not a good thing.  Radiation,  chemotherapy, and several surgeries followed.   I stayed many nights with my aunt and uncle while Mom took Sondra back and forth to Children's Hospital in Birmingham.  I spent many long days in hospital waiting rooms hoping, worrying, and visiting with family.

Fast forward to my junior year in college. My uncle Charles, the same uncle that took care of me while my sister was undergoing cancer treatment, died of a brain tumor.  There is no sugar-coating that.  He was my favorite uncle.  I loved him dearly and cancer had taken him at age 42.  This loss was fast and I found myself questioning everything.  Why us?  Why my family again? 

As I've grown older, I realize that cancer affects too many of us.  I've stood and held my friend as she received word that her mother's cancer had returned.  I've held my sister as she cried over the loss of a friend's child.  I've given hugs to friends who have received news of a breast cancer diagnosis.  And most recently, I've hugged sweet Stella and tried to hold back the tears so that this 5 year-old won't know that the thought of her having cancer makes me want to scream. 

Even through all of this, I can tell you that there is joy in cancer.  Joy comes in many forms and sometimes you have to look very closely to find it. But if you squint and concentrate on the things and people that truly matter, joy is all around. 

Joy can be found in the nurse who brings you extra blankets and extra hugs when you need them most.

Joy can be found in the gifts from your Sunday School class that understands that bills add up when you aren't able to work.

Joy can be found in the smile of a 5 year-old who loves to dance despite the tumor growing in her little body.

Joy can be found in the prayer of thanksgiving given when a mother's cancer  is in remission.

Joy can be found in the smile of your Aunt when she shares the recipe your Uncle used to make you every Christmas.

Joy can be found in the smile of a 16 year-old girl when she finds the perfect wig to wear to prom.

Joy can be found on a mother's face when the doctor tells her that the cancer has not spread.

Joy can be found at your uncle's funeral when your college friends show up to carry you through.

Joy can be found in the dinner brought to you by friends who knew you just couldn't muster the energy to cook.

Joy can be found when you wake one morning and find that the nausea from the chemotherapy has passed.

Joy can be found in the shopping spree donated to a 16 year-old girl by an organization that grants wishes for terminally-ill children. 

Joy can be found by all of us who understand that cancer has no power over us.  God will defeat it and heal these earthly bodies.  His promises never fail.

And so, for those whose battle rages on, we stand with hope and power.  We call upon His name for strength to endure and know that He is with us.  How awesome to know that the God who created the universe is fighting the battle with us!

Dear Lord,  So many of us face cancer while here on this earth.  Sometimes it is hard to see beyond the pain and suffering to a brighter day that you promise for us.  Help us to put our hope in you alone.  Take all fear from our hearts and give us the courage to trust in you.  For we know that in you alone will we find peace.  Thank you for your promises of healing.  In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  Revelation 21:4