Today, I received good news. The cancer antigen in my blood that is being tracked after each chemo came back already in the “normal” range after just two treatments and all of my radiation. I have been rejoicing all day. My levels were above 400 after my initial surgery to remove the tumors (they didn’t do the test prior to surgery from what the doctor said), and it has been gradually coming down. Today, the nurse told me it was 19. Anything below 20 is considered normal.
This number isn’t definitive. I’m not “cured” or in remission. The number could go back up, especially once chemotherapy is finished and if the cancer decides to spread. But for now, for all the continued uncertainty, I am going to accept the good news as just that: good news. And it certainly makes all the side effects a little more worth it, knowing the chemotherapy seems to be doing its job — getting rid of the cancer and making me healthy again.
I couldn’t wait to tell you all who are going through this with me.
It’s not lost on me that we are just about to celebrate some other really good news next Tuesday. The Gospel message about Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection is just that: Good News. And as excited as I am about my blood levels, I couldn’t help but think all day that this other Good News is so much better. In fact, it makes all the side effects of life a little more worth it, knowing that the Good News of Jesus is accomplishing its purpose in my life — getting rid of sin and making my soul healthy again.
And I am even more excited to share this gospel news with you.
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I head back to the hospital in the morning for round three of chemotherapy. I will be admitted until Saturday morning, and will then be whisked away by my mom back to her house. I am so thankful that I get to spend Christmas with my family. I will be thinking about you all during that time as well.
B”H
Hi Charity,
I have been reading and rereading your posts here for several days now. I miss you in many ways. I miss ‘hearing your voice’ as I read and learning from your perspective. Indeed, this season of sickness and healing is mostly yours, as you are the one who is suffering, but it’s not only you. We, your cyberfriends and family, have so much to learn about GOD’s love and care and you have been so gracious to share with us your heart and inner thoughts. Each time I read a recent post I think of you and how your view of yourself and this life has changed. Each one of us needs to be reminded that ‘today’ is a gift that GOD has given us. It’s not only for ourselves that we live, but also for GOD and His people and His world.
Thank you for allowing us to
‘pray with knowledge’ for you and your situation. I hope that you are comfortable and warm in the company of your family and nearby friends. I look forward to future posts and further news of your recovery.
Blessings,
Shlomo
Charity
Merry Christmas – and thanks for sharing the wonderful medical news!
Grateful to hear how God is working in your life – displaying his kindness and working through common graces.
Have merry and blessed Christmas and new year, Charity!
i hope you and your family a joyful Christmas day!
Amen. Amen. Rejoice and let God take care of the rest.
Sandra
What precious news…I am sooo encouraged!
So very glad to hear that! I thought of you and sent a few prayers up for you as I drove past Indy earlier this week.
Merry Christmas!
Charity, we praise God for your great news, and pray all goes well with this round of chemo. Thank you for your great encouragement to us!
Seth and Mona
Great news! Have a blessed Christmas!
Charity,
Praise God!!! We look forward to hear more good news to come.
And we look forward to the celebration of the greatest good news of all.
Tears of joy!
Merry Christmas!
Dianne
Excellent news, Charity! I am rejoicing with you.
Merry Christmas!
Kim
Rejoicing with you,Charity! In your health and in all things, He is come! And coming soon! May your Christmas be full of goodness.
Dear, dear Friend… such dear news.
No better Christmas gift for me then to hear that you are well. I am so glad the antigens are returning to normal… now they just need to stay there forever.
Praying you will have a wonderful Christmas with the Family and Friends. We will be thinking of you here in Colorado.
amazing news charity! what a christmas gift – have a merry one!
B”H
Hi Charity,
I’m so glad to hear this good news. You are very much in my prayers and I rejoice with you because of this good report.
Blessings to you and your family,
Shlomo
charity,
i love the way that you wrote about the good news of what you are going through now physically and the good news of what of what you are going through spiritually is so very much the same, God is with you through it all, and it all is such good news. the good news that God loves us so very much to want to relate to us now, to be with us in our life now, and to provide a way to spend forever with Him.
it is sooooo good to hear of being with family. wonderful.
i love you,
n
Charity… I’ve been lurking, reading all your posts, praying for you, rejoicing in your positive attitude, and grateful for your friendship. You are a model of faithfulness and I am proud to be your friend. Even more, I am absolutely elated to hear the good news. I just got home from preaching on the significance of the Incarnation, and the adrenaline is still rushing through me as I down a bowl of cereal. Your news is the perfect end to a great day. I will continue to pray for your recovery. Have a great Christmas!
HOORAY!!! I’m basking in the good news with you and everyone else, too. I loved getting this great news.
Yippeeee!!! That’s absolutely fantastic! And you know what? We hear the Christmas story over and over again, but it’s good to pause and soak in the wonder of God’s goodness in all this. May time pass quickly for you in the hospital, and may the days with your family be thoroughly joyful.
Later, Kiddo.
Charity…that is AWESOME news! Thank you Jesus for taking care of Charity in such measurable ways. I pray you will have a restful, wonderful Christmas!