GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS
TRYING TO MAINTAIN MY REPUTATION as a twenty-first century Pollyanna has just become increasing difficult. I seem to be caught in a good-news-bad-news story, and I’m hard pressed to find the humor.
AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS’ STRUGGLE I managed to talk my way into a gene-therapy clinical trial at the Mary Crowley Medical Research Center on the Dallas Baylor campus. This was a major victory and definitely on the good-news side of the ledger.
THE SMALL PRINT in the “Informed Consent” document put me in the hospital for three-and-a-half days of isolation as a Class 2 Biohazard. I was to remain until it could be proven to the FDA that direct contact with the injection site would not infect someone else with any gene-altered cold sores. Considering the location of the tumors that were treated, including all the doctors and nurses involved, I can count on one hand the number of people I know who would be allowed even a peek, much less a touch!
NEVERTHELESS, I SUBMITTED to hospital food and a face mask and caught up on the Reading-through-the-Bible plan I had committed to last January. So that was good news. I guess.
I’D MADE ANOTHER STEP toward avoiding permanent residence on Melanoma Lane . . . a cause for celebration. But, there was bad news as well.
IN THE PROCESS OF QUALIFYING for this clinical trial, a biopsy was run, and it came back positive for breast cancer.
ARGH. YET ANOTHER TYPE OF CANCER? I always thought that cancer was a one-to-a-customer disease. And I have two? How can anyone, even Pollyanna, put a positive spin on THIS?
WELL, OF COURSE, the tumor was found early. And, in a delightful change of pace, it IS something medical science knows how to treat. It’s very small—about the size of a Jelly Belly. And then there’s all those contributions I’ve made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation over the years. Those have got to count for something. And finally, once it’s removed, there will be one less tumor to deal with. So that’s good. I think . . .
I’VE HAD MY SCREAMING FIT. I’ll admit I shook my fist at God—enough is enough, already. It took about a half-hour before I came to my senses. God didn’t give me melanoma, and He hasn’t given me breast cancer either. These things just happen in a world that doesn’t conform to His original plans for it.
TRUTH IS, I don’t think God is overly concerned about what type of illness He cures. At the end of the day, this is the best of the good news: God is more powerful than any disease. All I need to do is remain patient and faithful—even if the healing I want isn’t manifested on my terms.
You’re blessed. Be a blessing!
AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS’ STRUGGLE I managed to talk my way into a gene-therapy clinical trial at the Mary Crowley Medical Research Center on the Dallas Baylor campus. This was a major victory and definitely on the good-news side of the ledger.
THE SMALL PRINT in the “Informed Consent” document put me in the hospital for three-and-a-half days of isolation as a Class 2 Biohazard. I was to remain until it could be proven to the FDA that direct contact with the injection site would not infect someone else with any gene-altered cold sores. Considering the location of the tumors that were treated, including all the doctors and nurses involved, I can count on one hand the number of people I know who would be allowed even a peek, much less a touch! NEVERTHELESS, I SUBMITTED to hospital food and a face mask and caught up on the Reading-through-the-Bible plan I had committed to last January. So that was good news. I guess.
I’D MADE ANOTHER STEP toward avoiding permanent residence on Melanoma Lane . . . a cause for celebration. But, there was bad news as well.
IN THE PROCESS OF QUALIFYING for this clinical trial, a biopsy was run, and it came back positive for breast cancer.
ARGH. YET ANOTHER TYPE OF CANCER? I always thought that cancer was a one-to-a-customer disease. And I have two? How can anyone, even Pollyanna, put a positive spin on THIS?
WELL, OF COURSE, the tumor was found early. And, in a delightful change of pace, it IS something medical science knows how to treat. It’s very small—about the size of a Jelly Belly. And then there’s all those contributions I’ve made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation over the years. Those have got to count for something. And finally, once it’s removed, there will be one less tumor to deal with. So that’s good. I think . . .
I’VE HAD MY SCREAMING FIT. I’ll admit I shook my fist at God—enough is enough, already. It took about a half-hour before I came to my senses. God didn’t give me melanoma, and He hasn’t given me breast cancer either. These things just happen in a world that doesn’t conform to His original plans for it.
TRUTH IS, I don’t think God is overly concerned about what type of illness He cures. At the end of the day, this is the best of the good news: God is more powerful than any disease. All I need to do is remain patient and faithful—even if the healing I want isn’t manifested on my terms.
You’re blessed. Be a blessing!
posted by Chronic Hope at 6:19 PM
2 Comments:
Prayers being lifted up for you...
The number of people praying for your complete good health are growing with every report on the progress. miracles are not planned, but received at the most unexpected time....Keep the faith...
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