How are things one month in? (12/4/24)

 Today I have the gift of 2.5 hours on an airplane to reflect and to write. After experiencing the most comprehensive, compassionate and speedy care I have ever received, my mother and I are traveling to Houston for a couple of days to have one more set of eyes on my diagnosis and treatment plan before returning home to Idaho to continue the course.

Today also marks the 1-month anniversary of having received the cancer diagnosis. The heart-wrenching gut-punch, the tears, the grief, the mourning, the uncertainty – they are all still there.  These feelings co-exist with the joyful moments I have had with those I love in person, over prayer, over meals. And I appreciate all the additional small moments of joy experience through the continued outpouring of love and support in your posts, messages, emails, phone calls, face times, photos, meal/visit sign ups and gifts. Thank you to all who have and continue to reach out to our family.  Your support continues to lift me physically, mentally and spiritually.

As I reflected of what I wanted to share today, related to NOT wasting suffering (see previous post), I am returning to a set of principles I jotted down 2 years ago from my Bible study - insert shameless plug for Bible Study Fellowship here :-) - that I’ve come back to when I need reminding. While I don’t have the eloquence and fun, modern-day tie-ins that David’s does so well, I hope one of more of these points might resonate with what you might be grappling with today.

Five Things Suffering does:

1. Loosens our grip on this world and our illusion of “control.”

I’m a wife, mom, household CEO and physician who likes a sense of control and predictability. This reminder works out some of those control-freak tendencies.

2. Reminds us to seek God and find Him at work in the suffering.

It might not be obvious in the moment but know that He is behind the scenes working through suffering for good.

3. Fortifies the genuine-ness of our faith.

How can we know where our faith stands when it is not tested?

4. Allows us to experience God’s faithfulness and sufficiency.

We understand better that God is all we need when God is ALL WE HAVE.

5. Teaches us to rest on God’s sovereignty and goodness.

God is fully in control, and I can rest on his promises! In Romans 8:18, Paul tells us that “Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed in us.”


I will end with a sweet reminder that came from my beautiful, warrior, and light of a mother this morning.  Today ALSO marks the 29th anniversary of her mastectomy, the day she was CURED from her breast cancer. What a gift that she and her story have been to so many people in the past 29 years, including in my life. And what a travel companion to have this week to cheer me on and support me today.  We celebrate this milestone with you. I love you, Mom!

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