Precious Life

My husband, Al, began the chemo pills, two tablets two times a day. Three days later he began having severe muscle & joint pain. This happened on a Sunday, so I had to call the on-call oncologist. He instructed me to stop the chemo pills & come to the ER if needed. Otherwise, we were to go to the office the next day for blood work. My husband's oncologist was surprised at the side effects as they are very rare. Al has had none of the common side effects of the medication. After getting the results of the blood work, Al started back on the pills, but at half the dose - one pill two times a day. Today was his return appointment and he is now taking a dosage of two in the morning & one in the evening. If he has no recurrence of the pain in the next two weeks, he will go back to full dosage.

When Al was diagnosed with liver cancer I was half-way through a Bible study called One Minute After You Die by Erwin Lutzer. Of course, it was difficult to take these classes while waiting for my husband's diagnosis and I had not told anyone about what was suspected. Finally, I found I was just unable to complete the class after the diagnosis. However, I did complete the study at home. I found it interesting at the different reactions from class members regarding facing death. Should a Christian have only joy at the prospect of dying? We know that great things await us when we cross the veil between this world and the next. It does bring an anticipation, but God created us in such a way that life is something we fight for. When we are sick, we seek the help of a physician. When we have a serious illness, we not only turn to the our doctor, but in supplication to the Great Physician. Statements that they can hardly wait and have no apprehension towards death, make me believe there is a lack of honesty or either they are completely oblivious of things to come. If one has hypertension, they take blood pressure medication. One so ready to leave this world could speed the process by discontinuing any medications that are meant to prolong life, such as heart medication, blood pressure medication, insulin, etc. My point is, we all do what we can to live as long as possible. That does not mean we are not saved or dedicated servants of the Lord. It means we have an appreciation for the life we were given.

I know without a doubt when it comes my or my husband's time to die, that God will give us the strength to endure & remain stedfast in our trust in Him. He is sovereign.  Hallelujah!!