Living with Stage Four - A Surprising Twist

"Though the rain comes in torrents and the wind beats against the house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock." - Matthew 7:25

I recently went in for my second PET scan. The first scan, which was four-and-a-half months ago, revealed cancer in my right lung. It had spread to my liver, two lymph nodes, and the hip and shoulder bones. I would find out the next day what this new PET scan would reveal.

For nearly five months, I have been on an expensive prescribed pill daily, taking anti-cancer supplements, and continuing to workout twice a day six days a week.

Each day, I have strived to be optimistic and confident. It isn't always easy. Occasionally, like anyone would, I had to fight off seeds of doubt while still keeping the faith.

When the day came for the second PET scan results, I found myself waiting a very long five minutes in a small treatment room. In that situation, five minutes seems like an hour. Finally, the doctor arrived. He seemed to be in a good mood.

Looking at the computer screen, he said, "According to this scan, you no longer have cancer in your liver, in your lymph node or in your bones."

"What about my lung?" I asked.

"It's inactive," he replied.

My mind reacted to these words with a strange mix of feelings. A part of me was shocked, another part relieved. And another part of me said, "I knew it all along."

I had won a great battle, but the war continues against cancer. I still have to take that pill every day.

The fight is not over, but I am heading toward victory.