The Journey Begins

My journey with, and hopefully through, cancer started on November 10 when lab results showing my prostate specific antigen (PSA) was slightly elevated. This was followed by an appointment with a urologist in early December and a biopsy in early January leading to the cancer diagnosis.

A bone scan and CT of my pelvis and abdomen were scheduled to determine if the cancer had spread. The bone scan was clear and the CT scan showed no tissues around the prostate were impacted by the cancer. However… (it’s always the however that’s an issue) the CT scan also showed a mass growing on my left kidney that’s very likely to be kidney cancer. Two separate cancers, not one metastasizing from the other.

As I let friends, family, and coworkers know about the diagnosis, some of them were very concerned. After all, it was the “C” word. Of course, there are other “C” words like constipation or congestion or corns, but none of those seem to strike the same chord as cancer.

Strangely, I have felt peace throughout the first stages of this journey. I’ve done what I can to make sure I’m not living in denial or lying to myself about how serious cancer can be, but if either of those is occurring, I haven’t been able to unearth it. The only explanation I have is that God has taught me over and over again that He is always with me and even ahead of me when things have happened in my life. Any time I thought my life was falling apart, God was rearranging some things to lead me into a new chapter that He had already prepared for me.