Thank you!

I am writing this post exactly 12 hours before my arrival time at the hospital. I am in peace at the moment but it is beginning to sink in. I hope to have a peaceful night of sleep and be well rested in the morning.

The main reason I am taking time to write this post is to thank each one of you for amazing words of encouragement and for your intercessory ministry on my behalf. I have read each message on the comments below, Facebook page, WhatsApp, emails, etc., that came literally from all over the world. I have been overwhelmed by so much love and care. I know God will honor your faith and requests for me and my family. Thank you!

Today my boys stayed home with me. The weather was great and we spent a lot of time outside playing ball. We went to two parks near our home and played for approximately four hours (2hrs of basketball and 2hrs of Soccer). I know there will be significant physical limitations from now on but I am not planning to quit. This is just a detour, not retirement. 

Playing with my boys this morning and enjoying their company was so special. It made me think of how little attention we pay to the things that matter most in life. Why do we get so busy with our own stuff and all kinds of temporary matters and neglect time with those we love more than anything on this planet... My boys just left. They are spending the night at a friend's home. I'll see them again on Sabbath afternoon. They said goodbye to me and my leg. They seem to be okay. I hope they are. I hope my detour teaches them that God is good, all the time, and can be trusted, no matter what.

My bible text for today is a bit long but it conveys the thoughts of my heart as I embrace the challenging days ahead with confidence in a God who is "too wise to err and too good to be unkind" (Spurgeon).

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ^... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 37-39.

A Major Detour

It is time to blog again. Yes, I am facing another detour. Since my first diagnosis in 2011 the roads of life have not been straight any more. Many curves, several detours and one more, a MAJOR one, is just around the corner.

Unfortunately I'm out of remission; my sarcoma is growing, multiplying fast and the only feasible treatment this time around is a drastic one. Therefore, it is with sadness that I share with you that I am going into surgery on Friday, April 27, to have my left leg amputated (above the knee).
 
I knew this day could come. I am thankful for skilled surgeons who performed several limb-sparing surgeries for these past seven years. I am grateful to God for having allowed me to have my leg and live a normal life in spite of the cancer being persistent and destructive, and, most importantly, for not allowing the cancer to spread.

It is a life changing surgery and I can only imagine what life is going to be like in a few days. Yet I am confident in the strength and determination that comes from God to be able to conquer another mountain and go through yet another detour.

Doctors are planning for two surgeries, the first to get rid of the cancer and a second one, in the summer, to set me up for a prosthetic leg.

I debated a lot whether I should be blogging again about my detour. It won’t be easy this time. But God helped me to realize that I should not keep this journey to myself. Maybe there is someone reading this and going through a detour in their life as well and they can be a blessing to me. Or, maybe, I could encourage someone. I don't know. But I am looking forward to what God will accomplish in my life and in the life of many others as I share my personal experience with sorrow, pain, faith and hope.

Thank you for keeping me in your prayers.

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27
 
**Each post will have a bible verse that has encouraged me.