Hope Changes Everything, by John Boring #BlogParty2011

Need HOPE in your present circumstances? I can think of no one better to speak into this reality you are experiencing than my good, kind, and wise friend, John Boring. If you scroll through this Blog Party, you'll find he has been a big part of this so far. That's just the kind of guy he is. 

Photo by Amelia Grace Photography

Hope for Suzi

While we were on vacation in San Diego in July, my lovely bride of 34 years complained about the weight she was gaining, which seemed to be piling on in her midsection.  She is a small petite woman who eats right and exercises regularly so the weight gain was put down to the indolent life we were enjoying in the beautiful Southern California climate.

When we returned to Phoenix she began to experience pain in her lower right abdomen and a visit to her doctor resulted in a CT Scan, which disclosed small tumors.  A needle biopsy confirmed that she had cancer, something called Peritoneal Carcinamatosis.  This is considered to be a metastasized cancer, meaning that the primary cancer lurked elsewhere in her body.  Tests were ordered quickly to find the host cancer and Suzi soon had a colonoscopy and then a PET-CT Scan.  Meanwhile, the oncologist sent the tissue samples back for reexamination and it was determined she had ovarian cancer.

My heart sank to the floor and all I could  think about was Suzi’s impending demise. I didn’t see how she could survive this onslaught, especially after reading up about her abdominal cancer.  This enemy explodes against the lining separating the stomach from the intestines, and literally hundreds of tumors appear in that area, much as the splatter of a paint brush flung against a wall.  The information I was picking up said surgery was not an option and only about fifty percent of those offered chemotherapy responded favorably to the drugs.  It had for years been considered to be a fatal affliction.

During the day I did my best to keep a positive appearance when around Suzi, but my heart was weeping at the thought that I would lose her one day soon.  I lay awake at night, unable to sleep, thinking about a life without her, reliving the wonderful life she had provided for us with her beautiful smile, her lovely-always-upbeat outlook on life, the way she cared for others and how tender her heart.  I made myself sick with worry and in my own heart, I had given up on any hope that she could survive this.

Suzi’s primary doctor referred us to a wonderful oncologist and new information began to trickle in.  He, in turn, referred us to a great GYN surgical doctor who offered even more optimism and hope, and for the first time I began to think this was not going to be the end of times for us, that they could indeed beat this monster that was taking over my beautiful Suzi.

Prayers from our many friends, offering even more hope and reminding me to keep my faith intact and my trust in God alive and well, brought me out of my funk and I began to see rays of light through all of this darkness.  Now, with surgery scheduled for Wednesday, September 21^st*, at a good hospital here in Phoenix, I’m up and excited to begin this journey.  Hope has changed everything for us, for good people have told us that we can beat this thing.  Prayers are being said and God is listening.  My trust in Him was put to the test and I failed to respond as I should have, but I’m back on the path now. I have HOPE and with HOPE and God’s love I am optimistic that we will prevail. We can still use some prayers; this thing is just beginning; please send some up for Suzi if you will.

Photo by Amy Reid (Also a Blog Party 2011 Writer)

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Read what John's pastor and our mutual friend and hero says of him:

"John Boring didn't always know how to love his wife exceedingly well back in the day. I think that's well documented. But now, in the season where everything beautiful, deep, real, strong, faithful and loving is needed by his bride, there is John gently walking with her in the backyard, sitting together, smiling, listening to birds. There He is trusting God, entering in fully, protecting and cherishing. There he is caring for her with such a servant's goodness. There she is, experiencing the love she married him for. Christ in John Boring is a sight to behold. Christ in Suzi Boring is so bright and unquenchable. For this God created marriage."

~John Lynch

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*You can connect with John Boring and get the latest updates on Suzi's progress by following this link to his page here. Thank you for offering your prayers on behalf of my friends.