Hands and house

Hands and house

Monday, April 26, 2010

Memorial Box Monday...The Answer

       As most of you know, I found a lump in my breast last week, went for an exam and tests got a preliminary "all clear" and then the next day got a call back saying that I needed to come in for further testing. This last week has been one incredibly hard week as we talked and prayed through what we might be facing. Even before having any answers, God has been so faithful in reminding me over and over again of His love for us and that He is the One who has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. He used so many of you along with family and friends to be His faithful voice during this time. C.S. Lewis says that pain is God's megaphine to the world and I was once again amazed at how He was saturating everything with His love and promises.
    He also used my Memorial Box over and over! Georgia noticed it for the first time this week (it is down at kid level but locked). She would go over and beg to get the tiger hat out and I literally had to reach over all of my little things that signify God's faithfulnes to get to it!
    So, this morning Doug & I headed to Eastern Washington to a specialist fully prepared that they would "run a battery of tests" and that we would again have a period of worrying and waiting. I have to tell you that I just love Eastern, WA. It has to be the ONLY place in the world that would decorate their waiting room with old surgical tools. I am not kidding you. In the middle of the waiting room there was one of those huge coffee tables with glass over it. Inside the table was FILLED with things like this:


and this



Yep, nothing like medevial surgical tools to calm the nerves! 

Feeling better already!

There were so many more...literally, the table was filled with them and the hutch on the wall was filled floor to ceiling. I am so thankful that Doug was there and helped me to laugh at it all!

So we headed back for the beginning of the exam (knowing that we were at the very least having an exam and biopsy) and the medical team was incredible. I learned SO much!
Like did you know

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer?

80% of breast cancers are NOT genetic or heredtitary...please learn how to do your self exams and do them often! (If you want I am happy to email you about how to do it Email here)

Ok.... I'm off my soapbox now :) and on to our story. The nurse spent a long time doing the exam and then the ultrasound. She explained every little thing that we were seeing and I was so thankful.
 
Then......

She sat back....

and said.....

"I just love it when I get to give good news!"

That's right...friends, my amazing praying friends. She and the surgeon were SO sure (he double checked everything) about what they saw on the ultrasound that they did not even have to biopsy!!!!!!!!

How is that for God's awesome hand?

And oh...once again, I am reminded that there is something so sweet about a trial...something beyond words about drawing close to God in fear and worry. He shows up and there is nothing as beautiful as walking in the knowledge that we are carried by His hand that is Mighty to Save.

On the way home we were talking. This experience has been so pivitol for us, it feels like it has again helped us to turn a corner and to realize that the ONLY thing that is important, worthy and life-giving is following where God leads, even when it does not make sense. He calls us to love himself and love others and to pour ourselves out for the things that break His heart...and more than anything, we are walking away from this begging Him to show us the way to do that even more!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21

In my Memorial Box...a pamphlet they gave us at the office to remind me of how God was right there guiding the nurses hand and giving the doctor His eyes to see what we needed.


20 comments:

Cara said...

Yah! Praise the Lord! That's wonderful news, Shannon! :)

Tara Anderson said...

Oh praise God!!! The tears are flowing as I stand in awe...once again...of just how MIGHTY our Lord is!!! I'm rejoicing with you, my sweet friend!!!

Lynn said...

Wonderful news!!!!

xoxo,

Lynn

natali said...

Praise GOD!! What amazing news :))

Kat said...

Praising God that you are okay and what a beautiful example of God's ever loving Hand!

Karen Dawkins said...

Amazing, glorious God!
YEA!

Naomi said...

Wonderful news!!! I am thrilled and it sounds like the same experience I went through!!! It is such a relief to know that all is well physically!!

Goodness and Mercy Mom said...

Oh, Shannon, praise God for the good news!!! God is so faithful in all things. I'm so glad He gave you such peace that no matter the outcome, He would carry you.

You cracked me up with the medevial doctor instruments. At times like that you just have to have a sense of humor.

By the way, I LOVE your new blog design. May God continue to bless you and your sweet family.

Much Love,
Kathie

Stephanie said...

OH Shannon!!! Dear God! Dear, Dear God!!!
Crying tears of relief and thankfulness!

A Cup of Cold Water said...

oh, what wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i am so so so happy!!!!

CML Wife said...

Shannon - I'm so glad that your news today was good news! Give your kiddos an extra hug to celebrate!!

Kim Smelser said...

Great news - Thank you for posting it all. Rejoicing with you all!

TanyaLea said...

OH SHANNON!!! PRAISE JESUS!! This is just the MOST wonderful news. I found myself holding my breath as I read on... then ***GINORMOUS SIGH of RELIEF!!*** came the AWESOME Praise Report!! PTL!!! (followed by tears) TEARS of JOY for the AMAZING GOODNESS of our FATHER God! <>< Rejoicing with you, dear friend. And SO thankful that God was holding you in His arms through this. Oh HAPPY DAY!!! :)

Love you!
~Tanya

Mom Of Many said...

Yippee Jesus! God has been so good to you!! xo

Love for Lilly Yin said...

wonderful news...the same thing happened to me last week! It turned out to be an infected cyst! Scary!

Desiree' said...

Praise the Lord!! Great news!!

Gretchen said...

I LOVE when God does His miracles...and on us, no less! We are so unworthy!

Praising God for a HUGE answer to prayer! Praising God for the oppurtunities that He gives to all of us to come before Him and pour out our hearts. it is such a real and pure time to just love Him and allow Him to LOVE on us!

I so believe that everytime you walk through a trial you grow in Him. You just grew, my friend! Keep up your awesome ministry of advocating for the least of these. He has blessed you in MIGHTY ways!

Renee said...

This is wonderful news, Shannon. Praise God for his goodness~!! And that you could get the results right away with no waiting...the waiting is so hard. Yahoo! Rejoice, Shannon and enjoy your sweet family....

Wife of the Pres. said...

PRAISE GOD!!!!

I just sent you an email, but decided to come check here! I am so glad I did!!!

May I just say Shannon that I LOVE your heart, wish we didn't live on near opposite sides of the country and I LOVE what you've done with your blog (being completely honest, I'm envious in a good way!). I may see if your blog whisperer can work in wordpress formats. I really need a CHANGE myself.

I am so THRILLED for your WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jewels of My Heart said...

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I am so thankful!
Thank You Jesus!

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