photo #5504903

Imagine your doctor sitting in front of you with a grave expression on her face. She reaches out and puts her hand on yours and says, “I’m sorry. You have cancer.” Will your world fall apart, or will you soldier on? Here are some suggestions gleaned from those who have been there…and back:1. Don’t assign blame. Your parent’s lousy genetic material; second-hand smoke; chemicals in the foods supply; acid-rain from Canada (my personal favorite)…don’t go there. 2. Don’t Google it and read all the doom-and-gloom articles or the sure-fire cures floating around the internet. Read the Bible instead. Perhaps Psalm 139.3. Determine to hope in God, not the medical community. They’ll do their best but, boy, are they ever limited. For example, they’re pretty much ignorant of the power of God.4. Assume the best. Sometimes the ultra-sound shows fatal tumors on your liver, which the CAT scan reveals as benign cysts. Well sometimes they’re cysts. You can always hope.5. Decide to keep on living. There are still tons of things to enjoy. Revel in goodness. Be thankful for small blessings. Keep smelling the roses. Listen to good music. Whatever you do, don’t hide in the closet.6. Give your family and friends a chance to rise up and bless you, encourage you, pray for you, and understand you. Oh sure, they’ll drive you nuts asking how you are and you’ll be exhausted telling the same thing to everyone you meet--so get them all in an email loop and keep ‘em informed. Let them know how to pray.7. Remind yourself that there are 28 million cancer survivors world-wide, and it’s always possible that God intends to make it 28 million and one!