Posted in Family Life

I thought I'd share what's happening on this front too.

Dan's uncle has been battling lung (and brain) cancer all summer. He's done with radiation and part-way through chemo. The brain tumors have disappeared, but the lung cancer is still rearing its ugly head. He's been in and out of the hospital numerous times with everything from a respiratory cold to pulmonary edema. The nurses are now saying he's in end-stage cancer.

He'd lost all his hair, and become incredibly fragile. He looked like he'd aged thirty years.

On his way to this last hospital stay, though, he accepted Jesus as his Savior! Finally! I've been praying for this man for ten years, and I know the rest of my hubby's family has been praying for even longer.

He's been so different since then (two weeks ago?). The added "age" dropped off, the haunted look disappeared, and the touch of paranoia has begun to fade. He laughs again, though much more shallowly. He's fascinated with Scripture, and can't wait to ask us questions on visits and phone calls.

I've always known that incredible transformations happen when certain people opt for eternal life, but this has been so dramatic!

My SIL is a nurse, and I've done too many articles on cancer survivors to have too much hope, knowing it's already metastasized. The two of us feel like the others don't want to address how serious this is. I know that's pretty negative, but there comes a point where you just know what the outcome will be. At this point, we're all just praying for as much time as possible to spend with him; they've at least acknowledged that much.

What we all agree on, though, is the sense of relief we feel. We know where he'll be now, and he knows it too. He and I had a wonderful conversation about eternity this weekend, and he's comfortable with the topic. It's such a sweet peace to know that when we lose him here, we have the hope and promise of seeing him again there. What a joy that is.

If you think of it, continue praying for him. This is still a painful journey he has to travel, but at least now we know his destination and we know he's prepared for it. Thanks.