Cancer: The New Battle

I have so much to be thankful for . . . yet a long road ahead of me. Though I would love to expound on everything and completely delve into the details of my recent diagnosis, I am going to attempt to make this short, clean cut, and as simple as possible.

Pretty much, a week ago I went to the doctor's office for a suspected labrum tear. I had been having severe pain since December. To make a long story short- I am facing something far more difficult than I had anticipated.

The doctors found a large mass in my shoulder. The doctors are looking at this as an aggressive type of bone cancer- most likely Ewing's Sarcoma. Although there are three different types of cancer they are considering, due to my age, the size of the mass, and the aggressive nature of this mass- Ewing's looks to be the most likely diagnosis.

Today we were able to develop a game plan. This Thursday I will have my PET scan to determine whether the cancer has spread, or is contained. Next Monday, I will be heading back up to have a surgical biopsy. My doctor will remove both a section of my bone and the mass. They will also be installing the port for Chemotherapy during the surgery. Hopefully we will have the results of the biopsy by next Thursday. They will be treating the cancer with radiation, Chemo, and surgery, chemo again- and finally reconstructive surgery to repair the cancer-eaten bones. (If it is positive for Ewing's Sarcoma)

So what do I say... How do I process a diagnosis of an aggressive cancer only 2 years after my diagnosis of T1D? How do I cope with this? 

Honestly, at this moment, I can't. All I can do is depend on the strength that only God supplies. I'm in a blur... I'm obviously still in shock... And I'm still scared to death at the thought of trying to balance this all along with Type One...

Yet I think about a few verses that have really comforted me during these times:

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 

 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."

 II Corinthians 1:3-5

God is allowing these trials in my life for a definite reason! I know that I can trust Him even when my life is turned upside down.

I would ask that you please pray for me as I will be starting treatment very soon after the biopsy results come back. 

Also please note that I have comfort in these three things:

1) An amazing support group of praying friends all around the world

2) The fact that I have it, and not anyone of my siblings (I wouldn't want it any other way)

3) The peace that God is providing for me at this time

I promise to keep you updated! Thanks again for all your kind words of encouragement and prayers!

With much love,

Caleb