While some physicians still use stages and grading in cancer explanations, did you know that the medical profession is moving away from letting you know what “stage” of cancer you or your loved one may have?
Why? Mostly because cancer, while not entirely curable, is treatable. Even the most horrible of diagnoses usually have some type of treatment plan.
According to WebMD, there are still distinct stages, regardless of if your doctor tells you a stage.
– Stage 0 means there’s no cancer, only abnormal cells with the potential to become cancer.
– Stage I means the cancer is small and only in one area. This is also called early-stage cancer.
– Stage II and III mean the cancer is larger and has grown into nearby tissues or lymph nodes (Stage III also can indicate that the cancer has crossed a diagonal sphere in the body…for instance left breast and right kidney).
– Stage IV means the cancer has spread to other parts of your body. It’s also called advanced or metastatic cancer.
How do I know all this? Most of this knowledge is from 2013, when my younger brother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma. A deadly diagnosis that had me praying like I’d never prayed before.
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22 (ESV)
Eight years later, my brother is thriving.
Eight years later, our family is facing a slightly different scenario with just as scary diagnosis for my Dad. The dreaded words cancer…with a physician who doesn’t use staging or grades.
But our family has been through this before, so we know the lingo and understand all the scans. We know…even if they aren’t saying it…that this is Stage 4.
And so we start praying against cancer again…without ceasing. You see, our family has seen the Stage 4 cancer miracle before, so we know that our mighty and all-powerful God can deliver again.
No matter what the outcome, my Dad will be healed. On Earth or in Heaven…there will be healing.
If you have room on your plate of prayer requests, can you please add comfort and painlessness for my Dad (Steve) and calm nerves with a full night of sleep for my mom (Wendy). All prayers are appreciated!
~Emily
Iron Porch 