Throughout those months, we kept researching a procedure called the HIPEC - hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. His primary surgeon kept saying that the HIPEC had the best outcomes, and they were hopeful that dad would be a good candidate.
Then, early in September, my parents were received the call that surgery was a go. On September 23, my dad had an 18 hour surgery, the one we had all been waiting and praying for. The siblings gathered in Toronto while our spouses, friends and family took care of the home fronts, and we waited while two teams of surgeons worked for 18 hours, removing, resecting, reconstructing and washing the organs with heated chemo. We were told surgery went well, my mom and siblings went to see him, my brother caught the plane home to Australia to greet his wife, and welcome a baby girl to his family. Within two weeks, Dad was released from the hospital.
And here we are, 9 weeks post-op. Dad is gaining strength, joking on the phone in ways that he hasn't in a long time, and planning to come visit us in Maryland in the next few days. It's surreal, and I can't wait to see them again! God's provision over a year of medical highs and lows is incredible. Grace for each day, lessons in fear and trust. It's been a painful year, but a growing one. For some reason, I had an idea in my mind how God would challenge us, but never in a million years did I think it would come through a cancer, especially to my dad.
A year ago we didn't know what a whirlwind of a year it would be, and yet now, on the far side of it, and still in the midst of life, we see so many examples of God's provision and sustaining grace through it. We got to see God's perfect timing and the prayers of many saints. The provision of people to love our kids while we were away, or just seriously distracted at home. Offers of air miles, child care, food and hugs were abundant. An very rare procedure that is now being offered in Toronto, only an hour away from Hamilton, while previously families had to fly to Calgary or Halifax for it to be done. My dad, who doesn't get sick, dealt with pokes and prods, difficult room mates, orders not written out, serious pain, collapsing veins, muscle spasms, horrible hospital food and so much more, with incredible faith and grace.
Now we are starting to look forward again, booking routine doctors and dentist appointments that have been on hold. Three new grand babies were added to the mix, and Dad has been able to see all of them and, the Lord willing, we will get to enjoy a family get together this summer, where family from near and far will come. We don't know what the future holds, but we do know Who holds it, and we can rest there.
A song that I've been singing over the last few months... I just love these words.
What e’re my God ordains is right, holy His will abideth
I will be still what e’re He does and follow where He guideth
He is my God, though dark my road, He holds me that I shall not fall
Wherefore to Him I leave it all
What e’re my God ordains is right, He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path, I know He will not leave me
I take content, what He hath sent, His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His day
What e’re my God ordains is right, though now this cup in drinking
May bitter seem to my faint heart, I take it all unshrinking
My God is true, each morn’ a new, sweet comfort yet, shall fill my heart
And pain and sorrow shall depart
What e’re my God ordains is right, here shall my stand be taken
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine, Yet I am not forsaken
My Father’s care is ’round me there, He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all
