Kelli
12-02-2004, 03:53 PM
In October of 2004 I learned something that would forever change my life. My father, Donald Miner Sr., was diagnosed with stage four melanoma. Cancer, it seemed so hard to believe that something like this could happen. When looking back at the diagnosis process, the emotions, and the lessons learned, it can be seen that all things have been well dealt with.
Starting in the form of a cist on the right thigh, the cancer was originally thought to be a non-malignant growth. Since it was causing my dad pain the doctors decided to remove it and biopsy it just to be safe. I had thought nothing about it. Two weeks after the surgery my dad had a check up, which happened to be on the day my coop meets, to take the stitches out, at least that’s what was thought. Being the appointment was in the morning, my mom was going to join everyone at coop later on, but she ended up calling Aunt Maria and telling her that she would not be coming. As the day of school went on several questions needed to be asked regarding the writing class my mom teaches at the coop, I called her to get the answers, as she was on the phone I asked why she was not coming and she said it was because dad had to get some blood work done. Thinking nothing about it, we started British Literature class, but the emotions started setting in.
Why would dad need blood work? It was just to remove the stitches, wasn’t it? The questions continued to run through my brain, but I would have to wait till I got home to find out. When my brother and I entered the house my mom was on the phone, she told whomever she was talking to that she had to go and hung up. Something was up. Looking at mom I asked, “mom tell me, dad has something wrong with him what is it?”. Calmly she looked at me and said, “Kelli your dad has cancer.” From that point on emotions kicked in and not much of the conversation can be remembered. The first reaction was tears, then anger, and finally residing in the fact that this is what is happening and nothing can be done with it. This does not mean that I was not upset, but just the opposite I was and am torn up, my dad has cancer. But life cannot end with this prognosis.
So much can be learned and strengthened in life from this experience, especially my walk with God. As the Bible states in James 1:2-8, trials and tribulations test my faith which produces patience and with patience every perfect work of God. In God all is planned, my dad’s cancer is His will and He will work all things out for His glory (Romans 8:28)--there is no doubt. If God takes my father away from this place I know that one day I will see him again in heaven. This period of life is a time for me and my family to show the love of God in our lives. Learning that more make up my dad then just the quiet man I see on the outside, I have seen so much joy in his life--singing in the car with him, talking about everything, and just being around him shows me his joy. He has been a witness in how he handles this trial in his life. I only hope that one day if something like this were to face me that I could be just like him. Although the past few months have been a whirl wind, I say give all glory to God no matter what happens.
Unfortunately my family has found out that the cancer has traveled to my dad’s lymph nodes. The spreading of the cancer is not a good sign but it is God’s will, emotions can not rule life. So much has been learned and so much is still to be learned as time goes on. Whatever time my dad has left on this earth may it be to God’s glory. Whether or not I have completely learned to deal this is yet to be determined, but I do know that I have my earthly father and my heavenly Father on my side, no matter what happens.
Starting in the form of a cist on the right thigh, the cancer was originally thought to be a non-malignant growth. Since it was causing my dad pain the doctors decided to remove it and biopsy it just to be safe. I had thought nothing about it. Two weeks after the surgery my dad had a check up, which happened to be on the day my coop meets, to take the stitches out, at least that’s what was thought. Being the appointment was in the morning, my mom was going to join everyone at coop later on, but she ended up calling Aunt Maria and telling her that she would not be coming. As the day of school went on several questions needed to be asked regarding the writing class my mom teaches at the coop, I called her to get the answers, as she was on the phone I asked why she was not coming and she said it was because dad had to get some blood work done. Thinking nothing about it, we started British Literature class, but the emotions started setting in.
Why would dad need blood work? It was just to remove the stitches, wasn’t it? The questions continued to run through my brain, but I would have to wait till I got home to find out. When my brother and I entered the house my mom was on the phone, she told whomever she was talking to that she had to go and hung up. Something was up. Looking at mom I asked, “mom tell me, dad has something wrong with him what is it?”. Calmly she looked at me and said, “Kelli your dad has cancer.” From that point on emotions kicked in and not much of the conversation can be remembered. The first reaction was tears, then anger, and finally residing in the fact that this is what is happening and nothing can be done with it. This does not mean that I was not upset, but just the opposite I was and am torn up, my dad has cancer. But life cannot end with this prognosis.
So much can be learned and strengthened in life from this experience, especially my walk with God. As the Bible states in James 1:2-8, trials and tribulations test my faith which produces patience and with patience every perfect work of God. In God all is planned, my dad’s cancer is His will and He will work all things out for His glory (Romans 8:28)--there is no doubt. If God takes my father away from this place I know that one day I will see him again in heaven. This period of life is a time for me and my family to show the love of God in our lives. Learning that more make up my dad then just the quiet man I see on the outside, I have seen so much joy in his life--singing in the car with him, talking about everything, and just being around him shows me his joy. He has been a witness in how he handles this trial in his life. I only hope that one day if something like this were to face me that I could be just like him. Although the past few months have been a whirl wind, I say give all glory to God no matter what happens.
Unfortunately my family has found out that the cancer has traveled to my dad’s lymph nodes. The spreading of the cancer is not a good sign but it is God’s will, emotions can not rule life. So much has been learned and so much is still to be learned as time goes on. Whatever time my dad has left on this earth may it be to God’s glory. Whether or not I have completely learned to deal this is yet to be determined, but I do know that I have my earthly father and my heavenly Father on my side, no matter what happens.