Saturday, February 7, 2009

Praise You in This Storm- Casting Crowns 2005



How can something so small cause so much trouble?

My blog is most personal today. It's a praise blog. A shout of appreciate to our loving God above. I have so much to be thankful for overall, and my daily prayers most always start with that acknowledgment. I'm blessed with a wonderful family, loving friends, an awesome church, a great job and most importantly the peace that only a life in Christ can bring. A close personal relationship that gives me the opportunity to talk to the God above all. But today...well this date is very special to me, and today I'm especially thankful to my Lord.

It was 5 years ago today I heard the words that I wish no one ever had to hear, despite the awesome feeling of joy and relief they bring when you do hear them. Words that bring feelings so turbulent, it often takes days, even weeks, to sink into your consciousness. It was February 7, 2004 when I heard the words coming from my doctor...you're cancer free.

My battle with hairy-cell leukemia was intense and short lived. I was lucky, and I'm grateful to God that my family didn't have to endure a long, drawn out battle watching me slowly go to my Creator. I was prepared if it did happen and knew spiritually and emotionally I could weather well, but how would everyone around me do? I had made my peace with all the thinks going on in my life at that time. I didn't know what the future held for me here in this life, but I had the security of knowing no matter what, even in the worst case scenario, God would be with me every step of the way.

People treat you different when they know you are sick. That's why I chose not to tell anyone about my cancer until I knew what I was up against, and by that time, the battle was (for the most part) over. I had other lingering problems, but none that were fatal in consequence like my battle against cancer. There's a psychological struggle that goes on well after the cancer is gone, but nothing like the isolation and helplessness that happens while you wage the fight to get better. No, I didn't suddenly feel like running a marathon on that February day five years ago, but the relief of knowing that I didn't have to tell my future wife, my daughter and the rest of my family that I might be dying soon...all I can say is praise God. Thank you Lord.

I went through some pretty tough times of a different nature in the following two years, but I know in my heart that God let me live for a reason. His reason. My prayer is that He will someday show me know why. I also know that He was with me through it all. He loves me, He cares for me, He watches over me...just like you.

I will never truly be cancer free, but that's okay. I hope God let's me grow old with my beautiful, loving wife. I hope He let's me watch my girls graduate college and someday marry (in that order). I hope God let's me hold my grandchildren. But today, I just praise God and thank Him for the past five years.

May He bless you as He has me...in only ways that He can.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post Tony. And never be afraid to let people share in your battles. That's what God gives us family and friends for, to help us when we are weakest. Take care and here's to many more years of being cancer free!

K-Dogg said...

God is good!
i see a lot of cancer patients in my profession. usually we're taking it out surgically. just from the cancer patients that i deal with, i can tell that you are truly blessed. it seems that the majority are not catching it in time to have a good chance at survival.

Anonymous said...

Tony, PRAISE GOD!!! You are a wonderful testimony to many people reading this today. Not only the people who have been faced with cancer but the CHRISTIANS all over the world today facing adversity in their lives. Keep Praising, Praying, and Spreading God's word and you do not begin to know who you might touch and WIN one more soul to CHRIST!! What an even more time to PRAISE GOD. GOD BLESS YOU!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this testimony... I found your blog while doing a search for Hairy Cell Leukemia because, you guessed it, I got diagnosed 2 months ago. Like you, my hope is in Christ, but a diagnosis still rocks your world when you've enjoyed good health for 42 years. I'm under the care of a Christian hematology/ oncology doc who's watching my cell counts, so I am truly blessed. Speaking of blessings, may God continue to bless you on your journey and thanks once again for your words of encouragement.

Anonymous said...

Healing is always a wonderful testimony. I lost both my parents, a co-worker and 2 pastor friends that are about the same age as me.

I have a guy from my men's group that is battling bone cancer for a year now. Last week his m-spike and some other blood tests showed remission. My job in all this was to pray, and call him every day to tell him that I love him.

Praise for healing comes a little easier than the process of turning grief into joy. Both are valuable lessons when Jesus is at your side.

PTL, Tony.

Tony C said...

Please feel free to contact me via email if you would like to discuss HCL in more detail. I would be glad to answer any questions I can or point you in the right direction for answers.

Also, I gladly welcome you post any prayer request you might have on this blog. The power of prayer is a tremendous gift from God, and we should take full advantage of His gift and the promises He has made.

God bless and thank you for reading.

Lula! said...

Praise God! In sunshine and storms...

I hate cancer. I do. I'm glad God is bigger. Always.

Congrats on your anniversary!

katdish said...

Happy Anniversary, Tony! What a blessing to understand just how precious life can be.

Z said...

FIVE YEARS IS HUGE, as you know! Statistics shoot up! This meant even more to me because my best girlfriend is hitting her five years this month from a very bad colon cancer at 48!

I'm SO SO happy for you, Tony (and family!)...what a beautiful post about what's really important. Thanks for the reminder.

You're a blessing to the blogosphere; keep on keepin' on!! We're behind you! And GOD IS SO GOOD! xxx