481 How To Respond To Cancer
“I’m sorry Clothman,” the doctor said with a sincere sadness, “I’m afraid his cancer has returned.”
My father knew something was wrong but wouldn’t say anything. The rest of us suspected something was wrong but only now had confirmation.
What came next is something that everyone who has looked straight into the eyes of cancer can understand – that hollow ache in the core of your being that is produced by a sense of helplessness.
Cancer isn’t a bad headache. You can’t say, “Take some Tylenol, lie down and I’ll check on you in an hour.” It’s not a broken bone that will heal after six weeks in a smelly cast.
No, the seriousness of cancer mixes a round of treatment with a dose of helplessness. Treatment is in the hands of the medical staff, helplessness is in the hearts of the rest of us. Sometimes, as in my father’s case, treatment isn’t even an option.
So what do we do with ourselves? With our helplessness?
We worry. But Jesus was right when he said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? …Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:27 & 34).
We fear. Yet fear is worse than worry. Fear paralyses us. We’re not only helpless, we’re useless. Plus, we heap guilt and anxiety upon the problems the sick person is already dealing with.
We pray. I’ve seen the miraculous and believe; however, for some reason healing miracles tend to be the exception.
We give. We give by listening till all is said. We hold a trembling hand. We stroke a head that chemo has made bald. We clean a house, mow a yard and brighten a room with a bouquet of flowers.
We can’t do surgery or administer chemotherapy, but we can help cancer patients live.
That’s why every year at this time I challenge all Clothreaders to join me in raising money for Montana’s own Camp Mak-A-Dream. Located just 65 miles east of Missoula, this amazing camp has offered cost-free programs for children, teens and young adults with cancer for 12 years.
Here’s how it works. I ride RATPOD (Ride Around The Pioneers in One Day), a 157 mile bicycle ride that includes over 9000 feet of climbing. Yikes! You support me with donations for Camp Mak-A-Dream. Cancer patients and their families get an escape and a fun-filled dream – life.
Last year RATPOD raised $180,000. This year’s goal is $200,000. Please make your check payable to Camp Mak-A-Dream and sent it to me at the address below.
Fear and worry aren’t healthy options but prayer and giving are. Let’s again make this more than just a blog, let’s be a team that changes this third rock from the sun. Thank you.
|
|
