05/08/2023
It’s been 1,239 days since Jenna was diagnosed with a malignant cancer called retinoblastoma. Cancer is an evil of this world that steals a multitude of things from families including the vision of children. The most profound loss for us was the loss of Jenna’s right eye. Without its removal, she would not be alive today.
Facing my child’s mortality changed me, and I’ll never be the same person I was before cancer came into my personal sphere. It was no longer a distant devastation, it was up close and personal — an unwelcome intrusion in my reality. When I heard the words, “it’s retinoblastoma,” I would have given anything to trade places with Jenna. She’d only been my legal daughter fourteen short days. Nothing about her cancer diagnosis was fair. Would you be surprised to learn that we found joy inside the pain of cancer?
Jenna and I were never alone on our journey. Countless people have been the hands and feet of Jesus on our path. He has faithfully provided for us even in the depths of treatments, appointments, and all the anxiety that comes with a life altering diagnosis. Jesus has been my faithful friend, ally, brother, and constant companion on my weak and strong days. There have been many more of the weak ones.
Jesus changed me for His glory through Jenna’s cancer journey. I’m grateful. He was the joy inside our journey. I’ve clung Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present age are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Today I’m happy to tell you that Jenna’s MRI was clear and she is now a retinoblastoma and childhood cancer survivor. She will be 5 years old in less than 2 weeks and for her diagnosis, that means we graduate to only yearly check ups. No more MRIs! I’m grateful into the depths of my soul on a level that has no words, only tears of praise. Thank you, Abba Father. She is yours and may her life glorify your name.
