God saw us through a very tough surgery. We had faith that Greg would be fine and he came through like a champ! He can talk fine and his motor skills are perfect. His thinking is crystal clear and he remembers everything, right down to all of his nurse's names from all this week. He has been up walking the halls, eating full meals, he has NO IV in him and he is wearing a cute little beanie on his noggin. Life is good!
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
After the surgery Greg had a follow up MRI that showed that our amazing Dr. got all of the tumor! Or at least that is what the MRI shows. The tumor was cancerous, but that really wasn't a shock to us. We are now going to enjoy an amazing time with family, celebrating Christmas together.
Greg will start radiation and chemotherapy in January. That is to kill any of the tiny cancer cells that decided they would hang out in his big ole brain. We know we have a battle ahead of us and we know who goes before us and with us during this battle. We have a peace that truly comes from above and are so blessed to be in the center of God's will, even if that will has us walking this journey.
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3
I was telling a pastor that it amazes me how God has helped us to complete our major goals before all of this happened.
1. In May God allowed Greg to graduate with his masters degree.
2. In August we were matched with a little girl to adopt who we call our daughter.
3. He allowed us to complete all of our adoption paperwork for our adoption before leaving for Mexico.
4. He helped us to raise almost $35,000 for our adoption expenses.
5. He allowed us to return to Mexico, find a house, and start some works in some villages.
It was as if He set up everything like a plane getting ready for take off and then just put the brakes on for a short time.We don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. We are extremely blessed to work for an organization (International Mission Board) that supports us and helps us and is loving us through this difficult time. Many of you may attend a Southern Baptist Church. If your church takes up a Lottie Moon Offering this December, please know that money is what has helped us get the medical attention we needed, and it was done quickly! We are blessed by your prayers and we are blessed by your friendship and love.
For all of you who may have been wondering where Greg's family was during this time, I have to tell you, they have been walking through this storm right with us. It was Greg and my decision that we didn't want them here for the surgery. We knew I would have plenty of support during the surgery and we knew he would want to see his family once he was out of the hospital. So we are very excited that they will be here for Christmas!
Many of you may also be wondering what we are going to do about our adoption. We have asked our adoption agency to put a hold on our adoption and we trust that once this is over we can continue on with that part of our lives. If you donated money, it is still safe and waiting for us to complete the adoption. Just thought I would throw that out there in case there was some worry about me going on a vacation to Hawaii for a few months with that moola!
We covet your prayers for all that lies ahead. However, please know that we are still standing strong in our faith and are not curled up in the fetal position somewhere! I am hanging out here in the hospital with Greg, updating you, and he is sitting up, eating dinner, and watching McFarland. I am blessed to be his wife!
Love you all! Missy
My heart is just filled with joy!!!!!!! I have to admit, I had trouble sleeping last night because I was anxious for you all. I know we are supposed to commit those things to the Lord, but I was struggling! But you were on our minds all night and day, and we were praying! My parents just dropped by and I read your update to the whole family. We were giddy! Just hearing that he is doing so well, and that his mind is clear, is such a blessing. May God bless you with a wonderful Christmas, full of His peace. We will be directing our prayers towards the next steps of chemo and radiation. We pray that God will uphold the whole family with amazing peace. We love you all so much and are delighted to see how God has acted on your behalf. Praying that God uses your circumstances to lead someone to Him. Hols
ReplyDeleteThanks Hols, that is my desire, to lead someone to Him through it all! Love you!
DeleteMissy, my heart feels warm knowing that Greg is doing so well after his surgery. I know that his strong faith,loving family, and prayers from family and friends will help him on his journey. God Bless him, your family and the medical team that is overseeing his care. Carl and Johnny and I will continue to keep Greg, you and family in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteGreg and Missy,
ReplyDeleteWe had not heard about all that you have been going through until just now. (Ron has no FB and I'm not too faithful to check that often!) Just watching the video that you posted brought back so many memories of Ron's cancer battle just 19 months into our missionary career. Ron was diagnosed in 1987 with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma and was told that he had about 6 months to live. Thankfully, God was not through with him yet and a doctor in Memphis felt he could help Ron. The next years were not easy as he went through traditional chemotherapy, an autologous bone marrow transplant and a stem cell transplant...but he keeps on kicking to this day! God is good and HE is the one in control! The promise God gave us at the beginning of that battle was Isaiah 41:10..."Fear not, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uplift you with My righteous right hand." And He has been so faithful to do just that! Keep your eyes on HIM and not on the circumstances about you. Live in the moment. Don't wander into the "land of what-ifs"...that only brings fear. Live one day at a time trusting in the Great Physician who has great plans for you! Count on our prayers during these days. Love, Margie (& Ron) Carothers