Life changes but Jesus.

 

It's hard for me to reconcile myself to the dust that blew up as we traveled down that little dirt road. Less than two weeks ago we had dangerous flash floods in our area and more than one of my friends had damage from rising waters. But there we were, riding down that dirt road in rural central Alabama watching the dust roll up in front and behind us. 

It was a good day. We decided to take a couple grandchildren down to enjoy a day at local farm and pumpkin patch, Griffin Farms. There was much for them to see and do. They had a wonderful day. They slid down long, tall slides, played on hay bales, wandered through a real corn maze, had a hay ride and don't forget the zipline. They loved on farm animals and lay in the grass gazing at the sky. A good day indeed for children and Honey and Pop too. They tried boiled peanuts and ate cotton candy.
I selfishly want more of these good days. 

It has been a tough month or so. Mid-August in a routine skin check a melanoma was discovered on my scalp, right at the crown of my head. It was a speedy process getting the biopsy back, planning surgery and down to the wound vac that went on. We've learned a great deal about the process. I've learned a great deal about melanoma in general. Like, you can have it in your eyes. I had no idea before this. 
I was diligent about sunscreen before but now I must wear it all over, every day. When I'm driving, when I'm sitting in a window feeling the sunshine on my back. Why? Because melanoma can be deadly. Yes, it's the one skin cancer that can take your life. I will have skin checks very three months for the next year or more, then every six months.. Doctors hope they will not see a recurrence for 5 years. That's my best case scenario. Melanoma can pop up anywhere in your body at any time though. It also makes you more susceptible to other cancers. [I had thyroid cancer in 2020, likely caused by melanoma, we didn't know I had at the time.] My PSA to everyone- please do not postpone getting your skin checks. I have gotten annual skin checks since I was 19 because my mother always insisted. (I am fair-skinned and blue eyed) but mine was postponed due to covid in 2020. 
Life has changed, drastically. I will always be a cancer patient now, the result of melanoma.
I hope to be NED (no evidence of disease) soon but it never goes away. The information is overwhelming at times. It never leaves you, it sometime causes restless nights and hard days. I am determined though satan will not win this fight, I have a Savior and He alone I will trust. #gettheebehindmesatan 

There are things that are not as important as they were before. There are things that are more important now. God has allowed this in my life and it's the consequence of actions taken when I was young and some heredity mixed in. Melanoma may one day take my life but it's not today. That's how I want to face each beautiful day. It's not today. I want more days at Pumpkin patches, reading books, laughing with friends, loving my people. I've been learning pottery for the last 18 months and I want to throw a six pound bowl. I plan to see our church move into the new sanctuary and watch God's people use that building to tell and share the gospel. I'm waiting for my husband to build that backyard fountain we talked about, I want to hear the water gently flow over the rocks.  I've got things to do and places to go. I want to live to see my grandchildren accept salvation. There will be weddings, vacations, babies and so much more. 

Like, traveling down dirt roads with the dust rolling up behind you.. That particular evening at Griffin Farms as we rolled away, the sun was beginning to drop in the sky. The dust was thick, covering my car and sometime we had to slow down to allow it to settle enough to see the road in front of us. Life is like that sometime. It's hard to see the road ahead and we have to slow down to orient ourselves again- make adjustments and continue down the road. Then, through all the dust I caught a glimpse, then the further we drove the sun was in complete view, right over the tops of the trees guiding us.  

I thought to myself, Thank you Lord, there you are guiding us. Still watching over me, even on a dirt road, even with uncertainty of disease looming but there's Jesus. There are those who think those things are exaggerated and only coincidence. I know better. I know He watches over me because I've seen the evidence of His care, I've felt His presence in my darkest hours. 
I've had the privilege of expert care from praying doctors, praying surgeons who also trust in His divine healing. That makes all the difference. 

Don't forget those skin checks friends. It takes just a few minutes and could save your life. Go out today and live life. Call a friend, text someone you love and just tell them you love them. Be an encourager, get involved in helping others. There are twenty-four entire hours in this day. What will yours look like? 
Today is another beautiful day to share the love of Jesus with someone. Get going..