Anna Marie shares the tough news they received today. Thank you for praying. Love, Sarah
Dear Friends,
We just met with our family doctor and learned the basics of my pathology. It is Stage II cancer; it sounds like it was just beginning to spread to the lymph nodes, and margins may be questionable. “Margins” refers to how much clean tissue surrounded the tumor when the surgeon removed it. Because of its size and location, mine had a very small margin—but we don’t yet know if that means there were cancer cells left.
The good news is that it sounds like this type of cancer is fairly responsive to treatment. We have an appointment with our oncologist on Monday and will find out more information and next steps from there.
Meanwhile, my recovery from the surgery continues to go well. The doctor said the incision is looking good, and my pain has been minimal. We’ve been blessed with lots of help which makes it easier that I’m not able to use my arm normally quite yet. My parents and sister arrived yesterday. It was special to introduce them to Simon Peter, and we are enjoying having them around.
A dear friend sent me this poem the week of my surgery and it’s been a great encouragement to me.
Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life,
Where in spite of all you can do,
There is no way out, there is no way back,
There is no other way but through?
Then wait on the Lord with a trust serene
Till the night of your fear is gone;
He will send the wind, He will heap the floods,
When He says to your soul “Go on.”
And His hand will lead you through – clear through –
Ere the watery walls roll down,
No foe can reach you, no wave can touch,
No mightiest sea can drown;
The tossing billows may rear their crests,
Their foam at your feet may break,
But over their bed you shall walk dryshod
In the path that your Lord will make.
In the morning watch, ‘neath the lifted cloud,
You shall see but the Lord alone,
When He leads you on from the place of the sea,
To a land that you have not known;
And your fears shall pass as your foes have passed,
You shall no more be afraid;
You shall sing His praise in a better place,
A place that His hand has made.
-Annie Johnson Flint
Since she sent that, I have been thinking a lot about the Red Sea. When God told the Israelites to go through, there was a strong wind blowing, water piled up on either side of them, Egyptians following close behind, and they were going into a land they did not know. None of those sound like particularly restful elements of the situation; in fact, I might say it sounds downright scary! But God told them to “fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today” (Exodus 14:13). Despite their perception of the situation, God had it completely in His control and the story has been told for generations to recount the faithfulness of God.
And that’s our prayer, whatever the outcome of this: that God will be magnified and His faithfulness clearly seen.
Thank you for praying!
Love,
Anna Marie
“Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he
might make his mighty power to be known. He rebuked
the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led the
through the depths, as through the wilderness.” Psalms 106:8-9