It's finally over...

Today my mom has gall bladder surgery....but more importantly they are removing her port. Now I know to most of you there is no understanding to what that means, I'll fill you in. 3 years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, unfortunately not just your average-run-of-the-mill cancer. This cancer was the most aggressive form of breast cancer and was eating away at her body at an alarming rate. She was quickly forced to make decisions concerning how much of her body to cut away and was rushed into surgery in a matter of weeks. She then endured an especially grueling form of chemotherapy followed by radiation. The process was long and painful physically, and even longer and more painful emotionally. Part of the initial surgery was to install a port on the upper side of her chest to provide quick access into her bloodstream for all of the following treatments. From the very beginning she was informed that with this particular form of cancer she would be extremely lucky to make it one year without it coming back. What a beating...to go through the most painful year of your life knowing that in another year you will probably have to do it again! Well my mom decided to stand against the word that the doctors spoke over her and to stand on the word of her heavenly Father. She believed that our God was fully able and willing to protect her body from relapsing. Her one year checkup had her doctor in tears as she was so happy to have one of her patients make it one year as the last several with the same form of cancer hadn't. Ever since then my mom has been asking for them to remove the port as it is very uncomfortable for everyday life but the answer has been the same: "We would hate to remove the port so soon in case we were to need it again soon." In other words, there's no point. You're probably going to relapse and you will need the port again.
But as I said earlier, today they will be removing her port. Almost 3 years after surgery the doctors have finally stated with their actions what my mom has been longing for confirmation on: "It's finally over."

Now we all may not have severe life-altering medical issues that we can relate to. But I know we all have struggles and frustrations that we are desperate to be able to say, "It's finally over" about. Things that long after we have heard our Father whisper that he is calling us out of and through we want someone else to look us in the eye and confirm it. Ladies, our God doesn't desire that we dwell in emotional turmoil. He wants us to be "more than conquerors!" (Romans 8:37) His word tells us that "You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by." (Job 11:16) Ladies, soon this will pass, it will finally be OVER!

~Laura

P.S. - Those of you attending our GLOW retreat in 18 days, be thinking about what you want to be able to say "It's finally over" about. God loves it when you come into time with Him with an expectant heart! Can't wait to see you there!