Well dear reader, consider these opening lines as a warm embrace after just seeing a friend that's been absent. Hello, and I hope you are well.
I will start by referring to my last post.
If you recall, things were not well with my family. Everyone was in a ridiculous feud, over a reason long ago forgotten but not resolved. Meanwhile, the most I could do was stand back & intercede with prayer. To be perfectly honest, I was just starting to grasp the fact that my family might be divided forever. I was almost beginning to be comfortable with it.
It gives me the upmost in victorious pleasure to announce that in terms of my family, GOD GAVE ME MY MIRACLE!!!
Albeit, an unconventional miracle, but one nonetheless.
You see, my beloved grandfather has recently become a host to cancer. He has had skin cancer for quite sometime, which if you do not know, is very treatable. Not too long ago, he had the beginnings to what seemed like a regular benign mole atop his head. He figured next appointment, he would simply bring it to the doctors attention.
Until it started to grow.
Time passed, & it quickly grew to the size of a kiwi. My stomach made a sickening flip every time I saw it. When my grandfather finally (men!) decided to go seek medical attention, they informed him that this was indeed a cancerous tumor. Action must be taken immediately.
The first order of business was determining how deep into his head it grew. Xrays & biopsies were performed, with the foreboding thought that it could possibly be in his brain. If that indeed was the case, things were going to get grim.
Luckily, my grandfather got the good end of the stick & the tumor CONVENIENTLY stopped just short of his skull. The tumor could be removed. However, because of my grandfather's medical history & fragile health conditions, surgery was not an option. Radiation would have to be carried out.
It's been about a month, & he has attended radiation treatments 4 days a week for 1o minutes each. Although it leaves him very weak, tired, & plagued with nausea, the tumor has responded well & has dramatically decreased in size.
Despite his advancement, the family has been braced for the worst. My grandmother, who had him on a very strict diet, is not lenient & let's him eat his favorite dishes. My aunt bought him a flat screen tv, something he's been wanting for the longest time, but never had the money to buy. My other aunt moved in my grandparent's house to help out. I try to visit as often as I can, being I live in Brandon. We all realized that time was precious, & it just might run out soon.
Thankfully, so did my dad.
When news of the tumor hit him, he was annoyingly optimistic about the situation.
It was almost to the point of apathy, although I knew he was scared. Still, he didn't go out of his way like the rest of us did. Once my grandfather stopped being able to drive & therefore visit his son, my dad realized the severity of the matter.
It had been a year and a half since my father set foot in my grandparents house, & even longer since he had spoken with his mother. Much to her despair. Finally, after so much hurt of seeing my family broken, so much heartache from my grandmother, so many prayers said through tears, he crossed the threshold of their home, & reconciled with my grandmother. Praise God!
Now, this past Father's Day, I was tickled by the fruits of God's miracle. I got to spend the holiday with not only my Dad, but my Grandfather. In the same house. With my grandmother smiling & hugging on her son. My heart was so overwhelmed with joy, it was inexplicable.
So, friends, that is my testimony to being steadfast in the Lord, even when things don't seem to be progressing. The adversity of my grandfather's cancer has turned into the very glue that bonded us back together. Always look up to our Father, with the faith in knowing that although He may be taking His time, He's GOT it. He's GOT us.
Thank you God.
-A.A.
