After the diagnosis of VHL, we read any articles we could find to educate ourselves about the disease. We found out that the type of tumor removed from Gaston's pancreas typically stayed unchanged and benign so the whipple procedure had been unnecessary. In the surgeon's defense, he was doing what he was trained to do and removing what he thought at the time was a malignant tumor. Like the apostle Paul, God didn't remove Gaston's "thorn." Instead, He used it to move us both much closer to Him in our obedience. God used this to teach us to fully rely on Him and never doubt His ways. Yes, we could have become bitter and angry with God. However, we knew that we had solely trusted Him in the past. In return, we received a peace that we could never feel through trusting anything other than God to get us through. A peace that passes all understanding. So at this point, we knew that without some trials and weaknesses, we could never really grasp the power that Jesus made available to us. Power that comes only from the firey trials we had faced and inevitably would face in our faith walk.
The evidence of our training became apparent in the year of 2005. We celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary with an Alaskan cruise. We were at the airport excitedly waiting to board the plane when we received a call from Gaston's doctor. The grim news delivered was that the annual CAT scan revealed a mass on the spinal cord. No further explanation or details could be given until the radiologist could take a closer look at the scan. Without God's grace and mercy, we would have spent our trip full of anxiety and fear. On the contrary, we both had such a calmness and assurance within us that we knew could only come through the Holy Spirit living in us. We went on our trip without much thought of the news we had just received. Upon our return, Gaston talked with the neurosurgeon who was in charge of the tests. The tests revealed a small hemangioblastoma (a benign tumor characteristic to VHL). He explained that every other year a follow-up MRI would be necessary to monitor the growth. It has been slow growing since the diagnosis five years ago to present time.
This past summer, through the VHL.org website, we found out about a neurosurgeon at MD Anderson in Houston who is very well versed in these types of spinal tumors in VHL patients. The surgeon has removed many of these specific tumors on the spine. This past June, we went for an appointment with him for a second opinion and review of what our local neurosurgeon found. We came home very encouraged! We thank God for putting this doctor in our path. He warned us of the seriousness of the removal of this type of tumor. Extreme caution must be used because these tumors are formed from many blood vessels. As you might imagine, many blood vessels signifies a very bloody removal. Such a removal could easily become a surgery nightmare lest the issue is addressed going into the procedure. "Addressing the issue" would be accomplished by the neurosurgeon making an incision and freezing the tumor. Then, the tumor is removed by chipping away the frozen tissue, thus causing less trauma to the area while controlling the bleeding. Should the tumor grow to a symptomatic size, the surgeon agreed to do the surgery. Symptoms might include numbness of hands or feet or a tingly sensation in the arms and legs much like electricity. We continue to pray that God will keep the tumor unchanged and stop its growth.
We are constantly reminded as we battle VHL that we are not immortal and that we are totally dependent on God alone. We have also been greatly humbled through this experience. We are reminded that we should 'consider it pure joy'...whenever we face trials of many kinds because this testing of our faith develops perseverance. 'Perseverance must finish its work' so that we may be mature'. (James 1:2-4 NIV) God doesn't allow circumstances to make us miserable. He knew us before we were born and He knows what it takes to draw us close to Him. So, with that said, I praise Him and give all thanks to Him for the trials He has put before us. Otherwise, we may not have gotten the privilege to know Him as our personal Lord and Savior.
No comments:
Post a Comment