Good News on Good Friday

Years ago I wrote a post called "When Bad Weeks End With Good Friday." That was the week I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Fourteen years ago. April 19th, 2011.

I feel like I could use that same title again today. 

Yes! We did, indeed, get good news on this Good Friday. My results returned today and the scan looked good---No evidence of new disease and the spots that we've been concerned about actually showed some decrease. In fact, the one spot in my spine (L2/L5) wasn't even mentioned in the report. Why not? Where did it go? Did it not show up at all? My oncologist said she's going to check on that for me. But bottom line---the scan exceeded our expectations. Praise the Lord!

We aren't really sure what to do about those bad blood results I've been racking up lately (signatera). My doctor is working on that for me as well. We know lobular breast cancer is sneaky and it likes to hide in weird places in the body, but I am choosing to not worry about that tonight. Tonight I am simply praising God for the good news of a scan that honestly looks the best we've seen since I began this stage 4 journey three years ago. 

I have to tell you it was kind of a crazy day. The results came in just as I was getting ready to leave for the Good Friday service at our church with my Bible study girlfriends. After telling Rick and a quick text to our kids and family I walked into church and was able to share my good news with these dear friends who have been in the trenches with me. Then we squeezed into the last four empty seats in the packed out auditorium and worshipped Jesus together. Emotional doesn't begin to describe it.

Why has God a couple of different times connected my cancer journey to this week before Easter? Why does a Holy Week have to be such a hard week? I have an awful lot of thoughts on that. Probably more than you want to read on a Friday night. But to be brief, let me say at least this ---Good Friday. It really is the day that makes all the difference especially when we are walking through darkness. Jesus knows. He, the Son of God--The Actual Light of the World--He chose to endure the awful cross for us so we could face our future. No matter our diseases or diagnoses or disasters. His blood shed on Calvary paid every penalty and His resurrection from the tomb promises us all new life. No matter what. 

It really is a good Good Friday.

Finally, thank you for your many prayers and encouragement. It all means so much. Words can hardly express. I know you've got to be tired of hearing from me. I wish this cancer business would all just go away and I could focus on important things like what I'm growing in my garden or how cute my granddaughter is. I mean I try to strike a balance (lol). The truth is, this is my new normal, and unless Jesus completely intervenes, it probably will be forever. And though I get mad and sad and angry and afraid I am going to keep proclaiming the name of Jesus. He is High and Lifted Up. And He gets all the glory. 

"I will not die, but live, 

and will proclaim what the Lord has done." 

~ Psalm 118:24