Help for the Hart's
Donation protected
How we got here...
Our particular version of this "story as old as time" begins back in January... It started with a routine "preventative" trip to the dermatologist; moved to a non-invasive "let's be proactive treatment" for self-diagnosed problem spots; then it was a bump on her forehead that just wouldn't heal; then a "just in case" biopsy of a for-certain 'wart'; after that a 95% success rate excision (cut out) of this 'rare' form of skin cancer (desmoplastic melanoma if you're curious) along with the removal of a lymph node;
With the surgery came the news that "it was bigger than we thought" and then an "all-clear" on the node. Praise God! And then there was the "but"... "there was a clotted vein up there that we also had to remove," said the surgeon. "What does that mean?" Uh...YOU STILL HAVE CANCER IN THERE!!!!
Now we know that if the path leads to surgery, it'll be at MD Anderson because facial reconstruction is above the pay-grade of lots of plastic surgeons.
So, that's where we are as I'm writing this. Those are the 'highlights', if you will, of our physical journey. But as you might expect, that only scratches the surface.
We've shed tears; been overwhelmed with doubt; lashed out in frustration, and been paralyzed by anxiety. And near the bottom, we've been gripped by fear. There are so many things we don't know. Things that we now really know we can't control. "Things" that even a gangster like Candie isn't "hard enough" (think Avon Barksdale from The Wire) to carry...at least not alone.
It's crazy to me that we are so stubborn that it took cancer, freaking cancer, to awaken us to our desperation; our nakedness. My friends Romans 8:28 is such a precious truth that we have always clung to, and in this time, in this brokenness, the Jesus we need is holding us close. The one who says, "my Grace is enough for you; it's sufficient... I AM sufficient and I AM your portion. He is up to something 'awe'-some!
Okay, if you've made it this far, bless you. Our journey is a raw one and I am long winded. We really just want you to hear us say that we love you so, so, so much and we deeply covet your prayers. They are 'moving mountains' in our hearts and in our home. We thank you for them!
If you are stirred and you'd like to help us war against this particular manifestation of darkness, please continue to cry out to the Father that our strength would be in him. If you'd do that, that's more than enough. If you so desire to help in a more embodied way, we would also greatly appreciate your donations.
May the LORD bless you and keep you; May he make his face to shine upon you and may he be gracious to you that you may have peace.
Our particular version of this "story as old as time" begins back in January... It started with a routine "preventative" trip to the dermatologist; moved to a non-invasive "let's be proactive treatment" for self-diagnosed problem spots; then it was a bump on her forehead that just wouldn't heal; then a "just in case" biopsy of a for-certain 'wart'; after that a 95% success rate excision (cut out) of this 'rare' form of skin cancer (desmoplastic melanoma if you're curious) along with the removal of a lymph node;
With the surgery came the news that "it was bigger than we thought" and then an "all-clear" on the node. Praise God! And then there was the "but"... "there was a clotted vein up there that we also had to remove," said the surgeon. "What does that mean?" Uh...YOU STILL HAVE CANCER IN THERE!!!!
Now we know that if the path leads to surgery, it'll be at MD Anderson because facial reconstruction is above the pay-grade of lots of plastic surgeons.
So, that's where we are as I'm writing this. Those are the 'highlights', if you will, of our physical journey. But as you might expect, that only scratches the surface.
We've shed tears; been overwhelmed with doubt; lashed out in frustration, and been paralyzed by anxiety. And near the bottom, we've been gripped by fear. There are so many things we don't know. Things that we now really know we can't control. "Things" that even a gangster like Candie isn't "hard enough" (think Avon Barksdale from The Wire) to carry...at least not alone.
It's crazy to me that we are so stubborn that it took cancer, freaking cancer, to awaken us to our desperation; our nakedness. My friends Romans 8:28 is such a precious truth that we have always clung to, and in this time, in this brokenness, the Jesus we need is holding us close. The one who says, "my Grace is enough for you; it's sufficient... I AM sufficient and I AM your portion. He is up to something 'awe'-some!
Okay, if you've made it this far, bless you. Our journey is a raw one and I am long winded. We really just want you to hear us say that we love you so, so, so much and we deeply covet your prayers. They are 'moving mountains' in our hearts and in our home. We thank you for them!
If you are stirred and you'd like to help us war against this particular manifestation of darkness, please continue to cry out to the Father that our strength would be in him. If you'd do that, that's more than enough. If you so desire to help in a more embodied way, we would also greatly appreciate your donations.
May the LORD bless you and keep you; May he make his face to shine upon you and may he be gracious to you that you may have peace.
Organizer
Matt Hart
Organizer
Edmond, OK