I suppose the hard begins next week.

We see the oncologist on Tuesday for the results of all the tests. Although he called us Wednesday with the good news that there was no cancer in her bones or other organs, we are still waiting for the pathology reports from biopsies done on Thursday. We assume it has spread to lymph nodes based on the MRI. We are hopeful that the biopsies done on her right breast will be clear. Either way, we will begin a new phase of Marissa’s journey.

The plan is 20 weeks of chemotherapy; then surgery; then radiation. On paper it seems doable. It looks like any other doctor visit summary–here’s what you have and here’s the plan to fix it. On paper it doesn’t hurt so much.

Marissa and I had a sweet talk after the biopsies. She was telling me about her initial reaction to the diagnosis, about how almost immediately she had the assurance that this was from God. This was God directing her path; this was God keeping her way straight.

I suppose there is nothing that gives me more joy. Nothing that brings me more hope. To know that she loves God. To know that He loves her.

It doesn’t make sense on paper. But it makes all the difference.

You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11