![\"\"](\"http:\/\/hodgkins.caryschmidt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/released.png\" "\\"released\\"")
\nOne year ago yesterday, I found out I had cancer. This week has been surreal. I have played the life-changing events of this week (one year ago) in my mind over and over this week. It would be impossible to describe in words what this year has meant to our family.
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\nIt was certainly the hardest year of life in many respects, but also one of the most blessed! God has been so gracious and good to us through this trial. And beyond all of His sustaining grace, He has provided healing and a good start to long-term recovery. Every week is “the best week” in a year, as I feel better and my lungs grow stronger with every passing day.
\nEvery day, our family is enjoying life with a fresh perspective and a renewed gratitude for every breath and every blessing. Dana and I have been working on the house\u2014inside and out\u2014fixing and catching up on all the things that fell behind or that went undone over the past year. It’s been fun to tackle this project together. It has given us both a sense of a fresh start regarding home life.
\nTo cap this week off, I had a doctor’s appointment yesterday\u2014one year exactly from when I found out about the cancer. It was an official review of my PET scan, which was clear. The doctor also approved the removal of my port! That was like a BIRTHDAY GIFT! I left the doctor’s office so thankful that I can finally get this thing taken out… hopefully, and prayerfully to never have it put back in. We also had a good chance to talk about spiritual things, until the nurse interrupted and reminded the doctor that other patients were waiting.
\nThere are a million things I want to share in this post. All the ways that God is good. All the ways His grace is real. All the people that God has used to bless and encourage us over these months. All the prayers that have been answered. All the amazing blessings that are unfolding every day in family and ministry. It would be much too long of a post.
\nFor now, we rejoice in God’s love and grace. We rejoice that cancer is gone. It could return, but I don’t think it will. Right now, I’m enjoying waking up every day and living to the fullest for God’s purposes. I am grateful to be here!
\nThis blog has 90 published posts that chronicle the journey over the last 365 days. I am grateful to God for all of His grace. I am grateful to Dana and my children for their unwavering love and care. I am grateful to family and friends for your abundant prayers and encouragement.
\nFor now it’s good to be healed. Please continue to pray with us that this cancer would not recur.
\nPS – in partial celebration this week, I had both pancakes AND cinnamon rolls! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"