Thursday, March 3, 2016

I Have Testicular Cancer!

Good news today! My urologist called about 10:30 this morning. "Mr. Hanchey, I'd like to discuss your pathology reports if you have time." Uh, yeah Doc. I think I can work you in. 

He said that the tumor they removed last week was revealed to be a Seminoma, which is your garden-variety testicular cancer. It's what my brother had in the summer of 2013, and it's exactly what we've been praying for. This was a best-case scenario for us after our trips to Houston the last few weeks. It seems backwards to say, "Yay! I have testicular cancer!" But such is the strange journey I'm on.

Here's the gist: I will not be undergoing any new treatment. I repeat: no new treatment. The doctors will continue to monitor my blood levels alongside my normal tests for leukemia. There is an 80-90% chance that there will be no recurrence of this cancer.

Karen and I are breathing a huge sigh of relief today. It's amazing how much one bit of good news can change your entire outlook on life. I woke up this morning, and literally everything was on pause. We could not make any plans about anything. Everything was day to day. Then I have one three minute phone call, and life seems to be back to normal - a better, more wonderful normal.

There are certain things we just can't know, but my doctors were not encouraging when I was in Houston two weeks ago. All signs were pointing to a leukemia relapse. Karen and I don't want to discount the role of prayer in this situation. We have a strong sense of God's intervention in our situation, as we know that tons of people were praying very fervently for us. It is a humbling, encouraging, and life-giving thing to know that people are bringing our needs before the Father.

We want to thank all of you for your prayers, love, encouragement, service, gifts, and friendship. God's blessings come to us in very diverse ways - maybe especially through trials. You all are a gift to me. Thank you.

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.

I will exalt You, Lord, for You lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
Lord my God, I called to You for help, and You healed me.
You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
You spared me from going down to the pit. 

- Psalm 29:10-30:3