The past three months have been a whirlwind of activity. A scan of my lungs at the ER revealed I had pneumonia and a small lesion on my pancreas. The doctors treated the pneumonia, while testing to decide the best course of action for the lesion. It was determined to be pre-cancerous and the only viable treatment was major surgery, the Whipple procedure. It is an operation to remove the head of the pancreas, part of the stomach, the first part of the small intestine (duodenum), the gallbladder and the bile duct. The remaining organs are reattached to allow you to digest food normally after surgery. The surgeon was kind, but frank. Some do not survive the surgery and others are left with problems they did not have before.

I was able to spend a couple of weeks building strength at home. Major surgery came next. It was a success. No cancer! I was in the ICU for two days, five days on a special floor, then transferred to a remarkable rehab facility. Kind, attentive staff and doctors at the hospital and rehab facility and a multiplicity of contacts from God’s loving people have taught me some important lessons:

• Our loving Father answers prayer. I told the surgeon many  people were praying for him, confident I was not exaggerating. He said he and his sons prayed for me the night before surgery. There would be no way to count all the people who lifted my name up to the Father, thousands for sure, Christians and nonChristians, friends and strangers. James wrote, The prayers of righteous people avail much (5:16-18).
• Kindness, smiles and laughter are precious gifts anyone can give. My caregivers greeted me with kindness. In fact, I observed them being kind even when other patients were rude to them. The wise man said, A joyful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22 ESV).
• A positive attitude plays an important role in the recovery process. The staff uses it to keep going on long days. God’s children will readily join them. Jesus instructed his followers not to worry about tomorrow, just deal with today (Matthew 6:34). Paul did not look back, but pressed toward the heavenly prize (Philippians 3:12-14).
• My plans do not always come to pass. I was supposed to visit my mother twice while Gary went to preach in various places, but none of that happened. I should have remembered James’ words. He said our planning should include, if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that (James 4:13-17).
• Be thankful for all things. Early detection is rare for people with pancreatic cancer. There are no symptoms until it is already stage three or four. So pneumonia was a blessing for me. After the surgery, I could not eat solid foods for five or six days. A few mouthfuls of chewable food bring joy to those who have only had liquids for days. Paul declared saints should not be anxious, but give thanks in all things (Philippians 4:6-7).

Finally, doors of opportunity present themselves in seemingly dire circumstances. A beaten and shackled Paul found a way to teach the Philippian jailor and his family (Acts 16:25-34). They were all baptized that very hour. Later, while Paul was under house arrest in Rome, he preached to Caesar’s elite. Christians were emboldened when they heard what he did (Acts 28:27-31). Today we must realize that aides, nurses and doctors all have souls. When I invited some, they said they planned to come. One therapist, who has no church home, plans to bring her children to our Vacation Bible School. I found some of the staff were eager to study if only someone would ask. Our neighbors, coworkers, and fellow students have souls. They need to be taught good news. They need to know God’s family as a warm, welcoming place for them.

Yes. I learned mighty lessons through an otherwise disturbing diagnosis! I hope you, too, will choose to see your dark moments as a learning experience, when the light of God’s word brings peace and hope and doors of opportunity are opened wide!

Today’s Verse:  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Audios available at http://christianwomanaudiodevotionals.abiblecommentary.com

By Teresa Hampton