Cancer Update

Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and thank you for praying.

A little over 24 hours ago I shared with you the news that I will be undergoing surgery for breast cancer.  And I cannot begin to tell you how blessed and uplifted Ken and I feel from all the many words of encouragement and assurances of prayer friends like you have sent us – I have been greatly helped just reading the blog on Joni’s Corner at joniandfriends.org.  Last night when Ken helped me into bed, I looked up at him and said, “I must be the most prayed for quadriplegic with cancer in the whole world.” 

Also, many of you have downloaded that article by Dr. John Piper and David Powlison which I posted on our website.  It’s called “Don’t Waste Your Cancer” and the biblical insights have helped me so very much.  If you haven’t already, browse to joniandfriends.org. You see, for years I have given this article to hundreds of people with disabilities… people who don’t even have cancer.  But now this article is even more special to me.  In fact, I talked to John Piper just a few days ago – he was in London and I asked him if Joni and Friends could have permission to give away his article… we prayed… and then I said at the close of our conversation, “John, we should sing a hymn,” and that, we did!  “Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice; praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice.  O come to the Father through Jesus, the Son, and give Him the glory, great things He hath done.”  And that’s exactly how I feel.  I mean, if Paul and Silas chained to the wall of a dark jail could sing hymns, then surely I can and should…

So let me give you an update on what’s happening.  I thought we would have more time, but the latest is, on the afternoon of Monday, June 28^th, I'll be undergoing surgery to remove my breast.  Of course, they will take a sample of my lymph nodes and, after tests are run, we will know the stage of the cancer.  So I think you now know how to pray, right?!  Of course we will be posting all the latest updates on our website.  Oh, by the way, I did a video which I hope you’ll have a chance to watch sometime today or over the weekend – and tell others about it, too.  Because it will not do to say that God only “uses” our cancer but does not design it.  What God permits, He permits for a reason.  And that reason is His design.  Also, our culture idolizes youth and health and energy; it tries to hide any signs of weakness or imperfection.  But we can bring a huge blessing to others by living openly and believingly and lovingly within our weaknesses.  And for every one sentence I say about my cancer, I want to say at least ten sentences about the goodness of God.  And, friend, whatever affliction you might be facing today, I would encourage you to do the same. 

So bless you for allowing me to share this news with you.  And if your family is struggling with cancer?  Then you’ve got a prayer supporter in me and (how about it), I will lean on you for your prayers.  Because we need to show the world a different way to grieve over loss in our lives.  I invite you to join me in doing just that today, and don’t forget to visit our website at joniandfriends.org for all the latest details… oh, and, yes, I read our blog regularly so please be sure to post any Bible verses that you think would be encouraging.  After all, we’re not called "Joni and Friends" for nothing… and you are one of the “and friends.”

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