My Journey
With cancer, Part 34 By David Maddox
Completed round twelve or thirteen of chemo on Friday (honestly lost count). Nothing unusual about the side effects thus far. Have climbed the mount of side effects and am close to beginning the trip down into the valley of normalcy. Because of Christmas and the joy of all the kids – their spouses – and the grand kids being here we moved the next round to January so I will have as many good days as possible. Praying for strength and good health to really enjoy the time and pour into our family. Such a blessing to all be together – and for the family to want to be together. Our favorite time is New Year’s evening when the adults sit outside around a fire pit and each shares how we can pray for them in the New Year. It has always been a blessed time. Nothing better than opening a New Year with a focus on prayer and the Lord. It themes the whole year as people really share from their hearts – and we know that God is present and listening.
Spiritually there have been many lessons this week – and I have posted many of them daily on Facebook – but the real lesson was that I can fully trust Jesus’ love for me and other Believers. Intellectually that one is easy. You can trust in His love because of the cross (John 3:16), but when the circumstances scream hurt or pain or sadness and the why God question begins to arise in your heart you will know whether you truly do trust in God’s love. What is happening as I write this began in church one Sunday perhaps two months plus ago when we sat in our regular place and during the introduction time got to meet two Seniors like ourselves who we would learn had a lot in common and who in a very short time would become dear friends.
As the introductions continued it turned out that the Pastor has told this couple that they needed to meet us for both Ron and I both have stage four cancer. It was a different kind of cancer and his had been detected before mine, but we were brothers in the Lord walking the same road. We went to lunch after church – we invited them to join our small group – and found more and more things we had in common. Ron had a life of ministry as a Chaplin to the Homeless for the Salvation Army. Like me he had retired to be free for additional ministry and almost immediately he was diagnosed with stage four cancer. For those who don’t know what stage four means – it means that the cancer has spread and the medical folks just try to make it easier for you as there is no known cure. Both of us were not trouble by our diagnosis for God is in charge of life and death and healings. It was a joy to be around one of such great faith who did not complain – trusted God – and usually wore a smile. He wife is a precious follower of the Lord who is a real fire brand – really alive. They are a great couple.
I would learn from Ron that the medical folks had tried chemo and had come to the place where the “normal”/standard treatment was not working so they were in various clinical trials of experimental drugs. Ron just said we will give this a try and if it doesn’t work we will do something else – no fear – no anger – just trust in the one he had served all those years and still sought to serve. In our small group he soon became one who always contributed to the Bible study with the wisdom of years of study and walking with the Lord. The kids loved him and when he announced that they were leaving to join a church near his kids and a small group there a couple of weeks ago they actually mourned – for Ron and Leslee had become special.
It was not long after they left when they were told one chemo was not working so they switched to another. Nothing went right. He was sick with no good days between infusions, however his attitude never changed. “We just need a miracle” was the thrust of what he shared and “if God does not send it, then I will go home. You cannot beat that” (as close as I remember to his exact words).
A trip to the hospital produced more questions than answers and then another where the doctors gave up and recommend he be sent to hospice. All this change began in earnest last Wednesday. Cancer is like that. If it turns – it turns quickly and can be deadly almost immediately. We live with that reality, but not in fear. Ron is in hospice and we wait for one of two miracles – medical or a home coming. They are God’s choice and Ron was OK with that. I believe the issue is simply whether God still has things He wants to do in Ron or through Ron. If not – it is time for him to go home to his reward for he has been faithful. We should have our answer soon.
If God calls Ron home I shall miss the fellowship of our sufferings – the encouragement – his smile – and so much more over such a short time of knowing him. But I will have the opportunity to get all the answers to all the questions I have wanted to ask him – and to get to really know him – for we will have forever to catch up in the kingdom. God is still using Ron to teach me even as he waits for God to issue what may be His final instructions this side of heaven. When you are called home – if Ron is not healed – look up Ron Rogers. You will want to get to know him and if you know Jesus you will have an eternity to do that. Please be praying for his wife Leslee and for his kids and the rest of his family. I don’t understand why, but I am so thankful that God brought Ron into my life. When I am called home may I go as faithfully as he has prepared himself for that eventuality. Love you Ron.
About David Maddox – After a legal career in both Texas and Arizona that spanned over 40 years as a civil litigator, God called David to leave his law practice and work full time as Discipleship Director for Time to Revive. That call is really the fruit of decades of prayer for revival and teaching God’s Word, writing discipleship materials and seeking to make disciples. David married Janet Whitehead in 1976 and they minister together from their Phoenix home. God has blessed them with four children and thus far seven grandchildren.
