When The Rain Comes

I heard a song this morning for the first time, "When The Rain Comes" by Third Day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFXni5L4E3k)... It said exactly what I wanted to say to Allison on this, her first day of chemotherapy. We've both been very emotional for the last 2 days, we've been scared but strong, nervous but determined, lonely but held. The flood of texts, emails and Facebook comments are overwhelming and I know many are standing in the gap on our behalf lifting us up to the Father. Without our faith, our family and our friends I don't know what we'd do, we are so blessed. But still the tears come...

I follow Max Lucado on Twitter, I can't explain how his words touch me and have especially encouraged me over the last few months as we've traveled this journey. This morning I sent him a message via Twitter asking him to pray for Allison. He actually replied! "Will do, Chris"... short and sweet but how encouraging to know he read my words and that Max Lucado was actually praying for us. Wow. I know, I know, some may say that was his secretary or whatever, but I don't think so. I've followed him long enough to know his "tweets" are personal. I sincerely think he personally replied. I don't know...that was just very special to me.

We arrive at the Cancer Center of the Carolinas 20 minutes early for our appointment (pretty much as we always do). After a short wait in the lobby we're called back. We meet Jennifer, Dr. Christman's nurse. Extremely sweet and professional, as everyone has been toward us all along. After a quick tour of the canteen and restrooms she leads us back to "the room". Its a large room filled with an alternating assortment of recliner-type chairs for patients and standard "waiting room" chairs for guests. There was enough room for 10-12 patients I guess and on this day it looks like we're patient #7. We're told we can sit anywhere so we choose the lonely looking recliner over in the corner. Maybe no one will see us over here. Maybe the nurse will forget about us and Allison won't have to do this.

The other 6 patients actually "look" like they have cancer, most are females, most with decorative caps covering their balding heads. Its quiet except for the music playing...I recognize the group singing...its Third Day! The same group I had heard earlier this morning. After this song is over a song by Casting Crowns comes on...huh? Its a Christian radio station....wow another blessing!

Jennifer comes over and talks with us about what is about to happen and Allison has a hard time controlling her tears. This is really happening. Its not happening to someone we know, its happening to us! Its not a bad dream, we're very much awake however it IS a nightmare. But our Father continues to hold us, to carry us and to bless us.

For the next 3 hours I watch them place bag after bag on the IV rack and I sit patiently watching as they pump my bride full of a toxic healer. At one point along the way I question myself, what kind of husband am I to voluntarily allow these strangers to do this to her? "Trust me", He whispers.

Next to us is a 50-something year old African American lady whose mother is hooked up to the IV rack. She's a "veteran", she knows her way around the room better than some of the nurses. She notices an old man across the room who is cold and leaves the room only to return with 2 warm blankets, one for the old man, one for my "rookie" wife. "Here sweetie, you look cold too". For the last hour of the day we talk with her, shared our faith, she shared her's and again...the Body healing itself occurs. God "showing off" once again. She tells Allison to take care of herself, her immune system will be low. She says "no more hugs or handshakes, you tell 'em if they need to touch you to give you a fist bump like this" as she demonstrates the art of the fist bump.

As the last bit of chemo drips from the IV, Jennifer unhooks everything and tells us we're free to leave but to stop by the scheduler's office and get our next appointment. She's very happy at how well Allison took the treatment. Now we just have to wait and see what side effects it all brings. I ask our "veteran" helper what her name was, "Brenda" she tells me as she gives me a big hug. "I'll be praying for you Brenda, thanks for talking with us"..."I'll be praying for you too, you're gonna be just fine", she releases the hug, turns to Allison and gives her...a fist bump.

God's children are amazing, I may never see Brenda again but she was our angel today.