On the other side of HOPE

Austin watering plants with Bop...one of their favorite activities.

Where to even begin? My family and I have been on a roller coaster, but thankfully we are leveling out with good news today. On Saturday, my dad began having numbness in his legs and by the afternoon was having trouble walking. He and my mom made a trip to the ER. We were all shocked that an MRI showed what they thought were 5 tumors on his spine- with one very large one. Initial "guesses" said it must be cancer that has spread from somewhere else in his body. I felt shocked, sad and helpless on this side of the world. Imagining the worst and making a packing list in my head. I made lots and lots of phone calls to the US at all times of the day and night. More tests were done and no other signs of cancer were found in his body. Well, that was the first bit of good news.

Doctors consulted and they decided to do surgery Monday afternoon. They hoped to remove the big tumor and do a biopsy from there to figure out what this was. Sunday night to Monday night was a LONG 24 hours. I told Chris Monday evening our time (Monday morning there) "I feel like we are still on this side of Hope...anything is possible, but everything is still possible". Sleep was hard to come by Monday night for me...while Dad was in surgery. I called at 11:30 pm, called at 5 am...still no news. In some ways it was nice to have some sleep during the waiting time, while my family fidgeted in a hospital waiting room. In other ways, I hated not being there with everyone.

Finally, the results came. The surgeon said the tumor "just slid off" of the spine. Great news #1! They are also cautiously optimistic that the tumor is benign. They cannot give compete assurance until the pathology report comes back in a few days, but they feel pretty confidant. WOW! I feel like every prayer was answered so specifically...that the tumor would be easy to remove with no nerve damage, that it would be benign! The other tumors may not be tumors at all, though there is still research to do. I am still shocked and overwhelmed with thanksgiving to our Healer God.

So now we sit on the other side of hope. We know the outcome and it is very good. There are still unknowns and plenty to pray for. Do join us in praying for the tumor to indeed be benign, for healing and stamina for long days ahead of recovery, for patience and love for all of us.

But as I have been musing on the reality of this, I am reminded that we do already stand on the other side of hope, this side of the cross and empty tomb. I am looking forward to Easter this Sunday. We do know the outcome and it is very good, though there are still plenty of unknowns. I recently started reading Alcorn's book "Heaven", at several friends' recommendation. It has been a good reminder of all the joy and creative living we look forward to doing on the New Earth.

But today, while the big picture comes more into focus, I am also VERY grateful for the details of this day- for health and hope for my Dad. I love you Dad!

Austin is looking forward to going fishing with Bop this summer, like he did last year at this very spot.