One year ago…

I thought for sure we were losing Lance.

One year ago, on Friday, October 8, 2010, I was cleaning our guest room, excitedly anticipating my mom and aunt’s visit. That is when I got the phone call. “Ashley, it’s Mom. We are in the ER…with Lance. They did a CT scan and found a mass; it looks solid. We are praying it’s not a tumor.” I dropped everything and collapsed on the sofa. In one instant our world turned upside down. Cancer wasn’t just someone else’s story; it was ours.

Lance and Francine had just returned from a trip marking their one year wedding anniversary. She was 26 and he 29. Just one year married. “In sickness” came much too suddenly and far too soon; yet it did not shake their marriage, their faith, or their love.

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Francine, you are remarkable. One would never know to look at you that you work full time as a pharmacist, managing an extremely busy pharmacy and that you never, ever, get a full uninterrupted night of sleep. You have spent one year caring for Lance in every way imaginable–from managing his appointments and medications to very agreeably allowing him to take on any and every home improvement project he wished to do (even in the wee hours of the night!). You have every day looked beautiful and so perfectly put together. And you were never without that million dollar smile! You have never once complained or lost hope or said, “What about me?” I don’t know how you do it! Francine, thank you for standing by Lance, for never giving up, for loving him and believing in him, and for your tireless example of “dying to self” and serving others.

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Brother, you are courageous. You are strong. You are brave. It’s hard to believe you are the same guy that avoided doctors at all costs and who got dizzy just walking into a hospital! You have taken on every challenge that has come your way and you have come out a WINNER every time. You have lived fully, you have loved immensely, and you have won the hearts of many. You are a fighter, Lance. Bless you.

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Mom and Dad, this is beyond what you could have ever imagined. I have watched you explore together uncharted territory. I have seen you experience the full breadth of emotions. Yet, your faith has never been shaken. One year ago, on October 12th, as Lance’s surgery was drawing to a close, I witnessed you in your “Garden of Gethsemane” outside of the hospital literally lean into each other so as not to fall. You are a team and you are committed to that promise. Thank you for that gift you give your children.

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I remember the devastation. I celebrate the gift of life. And I believe in the triumph of the spirit.

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Family and friends, I believe we have seen a miracle happen. One year ago today Lance’s neurosurgeon gave us a very grim prognosis. The most recent MRI largely shows an absence of cancer. Overall the picture, for now, looks good. And, clinically, Lance is doing great. He is, in Francine’s words, “the old Lance.” He has been able to stop several medications that were contributing to his confusion and speech deficits. He is thinking and communicating more clearly. He is more relaxed and sleeping much better. He’ll always say when asked, “I’m doing great!”

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God, we thank you for giving us your gift of daily bread, for your deliverance, and for shepherding our hearts.

As I read recently on a church’s sign: We do not know the master plan, but we know the Master has a plan!

Lovingly,
ashley

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