What I Have Learned From Cancer
Today I had my second PET scan. I did this once about three months ago and found out I had six tumors on my liver and a single tumor on my spleen. Since then, I have had six trips to the chemo ward. The prognosis then was that I was to do twelve rounds of chemo — one every other week — and have another PET scan at the halfway point. And here I sit at the halfway point.
The results will be available tomorrow. Until then, here are some lessons I have learned since having cancer. (Much of this was prompted by reading what John Piper wrote. Read it.)
- I have learned that cancer is the best thing that has happened to me.
- I have learned — and continue to learn — to rely on God for everything. Only God can get me through this.
- I have begun the process of getting my affairs in order. No matter how long I live, it makes sense to know that my affairs are in — and remain — in order.
- I have learned that dying is not a loss and that staying alive is not the ultimate goal.
- I have avoided most discussions and literature on cancer itself. But I have enjoyed learning more about God through conversations and reading.
- I learned that having cancer is a great way to develop deeper relationships with other people.
- I am learning that sin is worse than cancer. Some of the things I have excused away as “just who I am” or “just how I’m wired” are sin.
- I am an unkind jerk to many people including my wife and my kids. That needs to change.
- I am quite arrogant. Having cancer has greatly humbled me, but I seek more humility.
- I have been given a platform to share what I believe and I am learning to use that.
- I have learned that I would rather be developed than discovered.
- I have learned that it is better to influence others rather than simply inspiring them.
- I have learned to appreciate the atonement for sin that Jesus provided for me as greater than the miraculous or medicinal healing I may receive.
We are praying for you! Your positive insights into what others would label as a negative experience are inspiring. We must all learn to give God thanks for all of our experiences because these experiences make us uniquely qualified to show God’s love and power and gives us each a unique story that perhaps someone else, someone searching for God, can relate to. Be encouraged.
God is developing you into a wise man. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Zac,
Been thinking and praying for you all day. Please know your extended Quito family will be praying tomorrow for the journey into Pet Scan translation. Through and abundance of God’s grace you are handling all this cancer business much better than some of the rest of us. A pastor friend who lost his wife told me that in his grief it seemed like God opened a room of grace just for him and his kids. Nobody could really avail themselves to that abundant and personal grace except him and those who’d journeyed there before him. Maybe it’s like that with cancer. So, as you’ve gone with God through all of this, continue with Him in the reading of the scan. We love you and your family.
Wanda
Just got the news from your Father in our Missions office staff meeting……PRAISE THE LORD! GOD IS SO GOOD! Celebrating with you today!
I love how you vocalized what I’ve been feeling! Congrats on being cancer free!