disappointments and inspirations

I know, I know. I'm not very good at this blogging thing. I mean come on, a bald guy on a bike can ride 125 miles in one day and still find the time to blog, all I do is sit around all day and I can't find a minute, right? I do have cancer though so I think I have him beat :) Love you Lincoln!

So, last Friday I received the results of the chest ct I had to see if the spots on my lungs were shrinking. They are. In fact, all but one of them are gone and that one is significantly smaller. The lymph nodes are about fifty percent smaller and the breast tumor is smaller also. You would think I would be jumping for joy at this news; Dr. Gualtieri certainly was! I must admit, I was disappointed. I wanted the spots to be there so I would be able to classify my cancer as stage III, not stage IV. God chose not to give me that certainty. Dr. G. still refuses to stage me saying he isn't convinced the spots are cancer and one of my sisters in Christ sent me an encouraging message about calcification disappearing from her lungs for which I am grateful. The Lord used the beautiful Casey Green to lift my spirits by reminding me, and I quote, "It just gives us more to pray about and lets God perform a BIGGER miracle so that all can see and know that it is of God's hand that heals you. He is still working....doctor's news can't bring you the peace that God provides." Thank you Casey!  I needed to remember that He is in control. He also answered the many prayers that I would not be allergic to the Taxol. I actually felt pretty good this weekend hanging out with Cathy Jones (Phoebe's CathyMommy) while Donald and Cameron were at Outback of America. God is so good to me.

I am continually amazed by His grace and mercy and love, especially as it is shown to me and my family through His people. I am building relationships with women I would probably have never taken the time to get to know all because I have cancer. I am meeting new people, because I have cancer. I am sharing the Good News, because I have cancer. Other people are sharing the Good News, because I have cancer. Who would ever have thought that so much GOOD would come out of Cristina Boudah having cancer?!  I am more spiritually fit then I have been in years and I am just basking in the love that is surrounding my family. Team Cristina is at 92 members and growing. Can you feel the love?

On another note, in the Boudah household, we are reading the book Radical, and boy is it radical! I am revisiting a passion I used to have for the persecuted church in other parts of the world. You do remember that there is a global church, don't you? How can I whine about cancer when we have brothers in Christ sitting in prison while their wives and children starve, all for the Gospel? How can I complain when we have brothers and sisters in Christ in prison, being tortured, for Jesus? It does put things in perspective.  Hebrews 13:3 says "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourself were suffering." Who did you pray for today?