“The Days of Waiting and Watching!”

Karen’s Update for October 27, 2015

This morning Karen had her CT scan. The doctors are looking to see if the mass has changed in any way. It would be wonderful if the cancer would be decreasing or gone entirely! It is very possible that the mass will remain the same. The doctors describe this situation as “mass stable.” We also know that it is possible that the mass could have started growing again. Humanly, we really, really don’t want the mass to be increasing in any way. We don’t want it to start producing fluid again.

The IV that had to be started in order to do this scan went very well this morning. Sometimes it is difficult for the technicians to get the IV started on my Karen. Not so today. Many prayed for her this morning and the IV went wonderfully.

Now we wait. Sometime this week our clinical research nurse will sit with the radiologist who measures Karen’s mass each time. Then on Thursday or Friday we will get the results of the CT scan. Karen and I are waiting. Our family is waiting. Our friends are waiting.

The Psalmist often spoke of waiting. I am thinking especially of “Wait on the LORD and be of good courage: He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait I say on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). I know that we are not the only ones in a waiting situation. Regardless of what the circumstances are I know that many are in a waiting pattern.

We need to be on guard. There are dangers when we are in a waiting pattern. Let me share a couple of them with you.

• Watch out for the discouragement. Most folks want answers to their situations very quickly. When no quick answer comes to you, it can become discouraging.
• Watch out for the “poor me syndrome.” Satan would delight to try to convince you that no one else is going through a rough time, only you.
• Watch out for the “so this is what I get” attitude. Satan would delight to whisper to you, “You’ve served the Lord all your life and this is the thanks you get. So this is how God treats His servants.”
• Watch out for the potential for jealousy. When God does wonderful things for others and yet He has given you a wait, sometimes as terrible as it sounds it is very possible to be jealous.

So the Peck family is waiting. So are many of our friends. Karen and I are absolutely determined that we want the Lord to strengthen our hearts and to help us to be courageous. This only can come from Him.

But you may have noticed that the title is “The Days of Waiting and Watching!” So what’s the watching all about? That’s easy. It’s me watching Karen sitting across the family room from me. What a beautiful lady is the love of my life. I love to be watching her!  When we learn of the results of the scan I will update you. Thanks for your prayers dear friends.

PS. She just looked over at me and said “Stop watching me Michael.” It’s going to be a great evening!