S is for Shock Absorber

1/13/10 One year ago today, at 5:02 pm I received the shocking call from Dr. Schneider with my diagnosis. It hadn’t taken 3 days. It only took one. Needless to say I was caught off guard.

DIAGNOSIS: Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma, a very rare cancer. I took it calmly---I couldn’t even cry. I just asked what was the next step. He admitted that he wasn’t sure but he had a doctor’s name for me and I should get a referral to see him immediately. He did know that the cancer must be removed and the surgery would require deep and major reconstruction. He then asked to speak to Larry. I think maybe he thought that I was in shock. He wanted to make sure that someone in the house was hearing him.

Snippets of Psalm 121 came to mind: My help cometh from the Lord.... He will not suffer your foot to be moved (not allow your foot to slip--NASB).... the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand (or right nostril/lip, if need be)....He shall preserve thy soul....The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

A car needs good shocks to absorb all those bumps that the rugged road can bring. Without shock absorbers, rocks, holes and other hindrances on the road can cause the driver to lose control and even WRECK. I might have been in shock that day but my Shock Absorber had already made His presence known and He wasn’t going to let me CRASH! I remember an overwhelming sense of Peace---I knew immediately that it mattered for eternity.

Nowadays, most shock absorbers are the twin tube variety---made up of an inner and outer tube that work together to achieve the intended purpose. I knew MAC had an eternal purpose and I was just going along for the “ride” ---covered both inwardly and outwardly by Him. He would absorb my fear and pain and convert them to energy for His glory as He “cushioned” me along the uneven cancerous roads that lay ahead.