I want to say, to everyone, thank you for your faithful prayers! You have been prayer warriors for Jan and for our whole family. I am confident that your intercession has made a difference in our lives. How easy it would be, for post-moderns like us, to say ‘wow, that wasn’t that bad after all; and to think we were so worried!’
For all I know it was worse and has been made better; for all I know it could have been worse. For all I know, every cancer cell in her body is now dead by the hand of God. That’s my prayer and hope.
And as Jan said, in all of this, many more terrible things could have befallen either of us or our children. Jan says there’s a blessing here, and I agree. There are, in fact, many. A blessing of empathy, of understanding, of learning. A blessing by which we learn to lean on others, nearby family, friends and church and distant ones who simply go to their knees for us. (Depending on others is something really hard for both of us!)
A blessing whereby we learn to lean ever more heavily on God. A blessing through which we will hopefully become fervent prayer intercessors for others, and will rush to their sides with hugs, tears, and all appropriate Southern casseroles in time of need.
Jan had her first oncology visit today. It went very well. Our physician was encouraging and positive. The cancer type that Jan has is responsive to radiation and a cure is possible. We are going to MUSC in Charleston for an evaluation on Monday. They have a head and neck cancer center, and are going to do an MRI and PET scan in hopes of localizing the primary site.
I prayed for good news at this visit. I prayed fervently, I prayed scripture, I asked for the intercession of many. And God heard our prayer. While I wish that, somehow, we could go back in time and undo all of the fear, I know that it came for a reason. And I know that the road before us has a purpose. As Joseph told his brothers when they met in Egypt: ‘What you meant for evil, God has used for good.’
My dear, beautiful bride is not finished with this journey. But we are confident. We have a ways to go, but we are not alone, because God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are walking with us, guiding, protecting, teaching and turning every bad to good in the proper time.
It would be easy, now, to forget to praise and offer thanks. Or to now, in light of the gift of answered prayer, to begin to worry about the future. But it would be tragic and wrong to do those things. We are called to give thanks in every circumstance. To learn to be content and trust in every situation. To be confident. So I can say:
‘Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!’
I am thankful, so thankful!
We ask your continued prayer. And I ask something else. Please send us your prayer requests! I want to return the grace you have all given us.
With love, and with thanks to Jesus Messiah, by whose stripes we are healed.
Always in my prayers. I have always thought you both to be totally amazing since I met you 15 yrs ago. God bless and hold your family during this journey.
Beckie Rau
13 years ago
Greetings to you both–I was convicted many years ago that I should say “thank-you” to the Lord at least as often as I said “please”. I am very sure that I have not done that but at least I do make an effort. Now I am reminded again about our response to our pleading–it is with heartfelt gratitude, again and again.
Thank you for posting these updates. I’ll continue to pray.
Karen Owens
13 years ago
Still praying for you all Dr. Leap. I have not had the pleasure to meet Jan or anyone else in your family, but I feel like I know them through you, and I see you have a very loving family. May God continue to put HIS angels of protection around you all, your house, the doctors, and anyone you come in contact with. The scripture doesn’t say, by his stripes you will be healed, it says by his stripes you ARE healed. I don’t want to sound like a name it and claim it person, but isn’t that what the… Read more »
Have you ever noticed that whenever God sends a heavenly creature to interact with man the first words out of their mouths is “Fear not”? Phillipians 4:6-7 tells us to be careful for nothing. God does not want us to be afraid. And yet fear is one of the strongest emotions that we display, often influencing all of our actions. It is usually at the seat of other negative emotions such as anger, jealousy and rage. Fear is a powerful force, and God tells us not to be afraid. To be bold, fearless and courageous is easier said than done,… Read more »
donna
13 years ago
Edwin, I just read today’s column in the Greenville News. I am writing to tell you what an encouragement and inspiration you (and your family) are to me. For years, I have always looked forward to your words and have learned so much from your example.
Thank you for sharing your news of Jan with us who only know you through your column. I hope we can lighten your burden by helping to carry it with you. Prayers and love to you and your family.
Donna P.
Clinton, SC
Aunt El
13 years ago
Your column in today’s paper and your December 16 blog entry were heaven-sent for me. This past week I experienced an unexpected and gut-wrenching disappointment that has shattered me, even though it isn’t on the same level as the illness that your family faces. Your joy in the Lord and your thankful spirit is both an encouragement and a rebuke to me. I am printing out your blog entry and will read it each day until I “get it”. I will also pray for your wife, you, and your family as you face this challenge. Thank you for your openness… Read more »
Cathy M
13 years ago
Thank you for your column in today’s Greenville News. After reading it I decided to visit your blog for the first time to get more information about your wife. What a surprise to find out that she has the same cancer that my brother has recently been diagnosed with. He starts his treatments of radiation therapy and chemotherapy this week at Duke. As I say prayers for him I will also say prayers for Jan, you, and your children. Please also include my brother and our family in yours.
RKM
13 years ago
Safe travels and God speed to you and Jan. We are thinking of you. rkm
Pattie, RN
13 years ago
Prayers continue for healing, strength, and absence of fear as you “trust in Lord, and lean not on your own understanding.” A prayer request for a friend. Sue has in school and working full time as well trying to become an RN. She has the heart and spirit of a Christian nurse, but has no family and very tight finances. Please join me in asking the Lord to find some way for her to stay in school, now that her grant program has been suddenly “un-funded”. We need nurses like her, and she works SO very hard. Thanks, Ed, for… Read more »
Ed and Jan: I was referred to Ed’s newspaper article by a friend of mine, Lisa Lehmann. I too, had a modified neck dissection in April (due to leiomyosarcoma of the jaw), with a revised modified neck dissection in September (thanks to a rogue lymph node that decided to go malignant on me) followed 35 radiation treatments, which I am now 2/3 way finished. Hang in there. I won’t lie; you have a very rough road ahead of you. But with a boatload of faith and family and friends to surround you, plus the resolve to start every day with… Read more »
Jack Wilson
13 years ago
Dear Dr. Leap, I have been challenged with thought and actions for many years through your writings and have truly enjoyed your articles and more recently your blog. Jan has been on my heart and mind ever since I read about her cancer. I have had cancer twice, cancer of the epiglottis 15 years ago and prostate cancer 7 years ago. The most amazing thing about my experience is all the doors of service to God’s people that have been opened and all the love that has been shared. This didn’t happen because of the cancer but because of the… Read more »
If you can buy in bulk you should. Major
moving violations such as DUI, reckless operation of a vehicle, speeding in a school zone and hit and run, will likely cause a substantial increase in the rate.
Address: P.
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Always in my prayers. I have always thought you both to be totally amazing since I met you 15 yrs ago. God bless and hold your family during this journey.
Greetings to you both–I was convicted many years ago that I should say “thank-you” to the Lord at least as often as I said “please”. I am very sure that I have not done that but at least I do make an effort. Now I am reminded again about our response to our pleading–it is with heartfelt gratitude, again and again.
Praise the Lord! May God’s blessing and grace pour steadily for you and your family. Hold on tight!
Thank you for posting these updates. I’ll continue to pray.
Still praying for you all Dr. Leap. I have not had the pleasure to meet Jan or anyone else in your family, but I feel like I know them through you, and I see you have a very loving family. May God continue to put HIS angels of protection around you all, your house, the doctors, and anyone you come in contact with. The scripture doesn’t say, by his stripes you will be healed, it says by his stripes you ARE healed. I don’t want to sound like a name it and claim it person, but isn’t that what the… Read more »
Have you ever noticed that whenever God sends a heavenly creature to interact with man the first words out of their mouths is “Fear not”? Phillipians 4:6-7 tells us to be careful for nothing. God does not want us to be afraid. And yet fear is one of the strongest emotions that we display, often influencing all of our actions. It is usually at the seat of other negative emotions such as anger, jealousy and rage. Fear is a powerful force, and God tells us not to be afraid. To be bold, fearless and courageous is easier said than done,… Read more »
Edwin, I just read today’s column in the Greenville News. I am writing to tell you what an encouragement and inspiration you (and your family) are to me. For years, I have always looked forward to your words and have learned so much from your example.
Thank you for sharing your news of Jan with us who only know you through your column. I hope we can lighten your burden by helping to carry it with you. Prayers and love to you and your family.
Donna P.
Clinton, SC
Your column in today’s paper and your December 16 blog entry were heaven-sent for me. This past week I experienced an unexpected and gut-wrenching disappointment that has shattered me, even though it isn’t on the same level as the illness that your family faces. Your joy in the Lord and your thankful spirit is both an encouragement and a rebuke to me. I am printing out your blog entry and will read it each day until I “get it”. I will also pray for your wife, you, and your family as you face this challenge. Thank you for your openness… Read more »
Thank you for your column in today’s Greenville News. After reading it I decided to visit your blog for the first time to get more information about your wife. What a surprise to find out that she has the same cancer that my brother has recently been diagnosed with. He starts his treatments of radiation therapy and chemotherapy this week at Duke. As I say prayers for him I will also say prayers for Jan, you, and your children. Please also include my brother and our family in yours.
Safe travels and God speed to you and Jan. We are thinking of you. rkm
Prayers continue for healing, strength, and absence of fear as you “trust in Lord, and lean not on your own understanding.” A prayer request for a friend. Sue has in school and working full time as well trying to become an RN. She has the heart and spirit of a Christian nurse, but has no family and very tight finances. Please join me in asking the Lord to find some way for her to stay in school, now that her grant program has been suddenly “un-funded”. We need nurses like her, and she works SO very hard. Thanks, Ed, for… Read more »
Ed and Jan: I was referred to Ed’s newspaper article by a friend of mine, Lisa Lehmann. I too, had a modified neck dissection in April (due to leiomyosarcoma of the jaw), with a revised modified neck dissection in September (thanks to a rogue lymph node that decided to go malignant on me) followed 35 radiation treatments, which I am now 2/3 way finished. Hang in there. I won’t lie; you have a very rough road ahead of you. But with a boatload of faith and family and friends to surround you, plus the resolve to start every day with… Read more »
Dear Dr. Leap, I have been challenged with thought and actions for many years through your writings and have truly enjoyed your articles and more recently your blog. Jan has been on my heart and mind ever since I read about her cancer. I have had cancer twice, cancer of the epiglottis 15 years ago and prostate cancer 7 years ago. The most amazing thing about my experience is all the doors of service to God’s people that have been opened and all the love that has been shared. This didn’t happen because of the cancer but because of the… Read more »
If you can buy in bulk you should. Major
moving violations such as DUI, reckless operation of a vehicle, speeding in a school zone and hit and run, will likely cause a substantial increase in the rate.
Address: P.