The start of a new chapter...

Micah's scan came back clear. The gratitude we feel is indescribable. The amazement is just as profound as the first clear results we received years ago.

The day we spent at the hospital was a gift to Micah and I. The scan was smooth, we connected with old friends and he spent some beautiful time in Art Therapy. He did two new canvases with paint. We are going to frame them to remember this day by.

Not only did we enjoy ourselves, more importantly we got the news that Micah is ready to move into 'aftercare'. Aftercare is a word that I have heard for six and a half years but didn't really understand what it was. Now I do and it has made me cry many happy tears in the last week.

It means that Micah just had his last scan.  

Micah is 4 years post cancer (relapse). This is the point that we will stop looking for a relapse. He will have an appointment once a year and we will start focusing on how his body is coping with all the chemo and radiation he has had. They will watch his major organs to make sure that they keep functioning as perfectly as they are now. We will watch how he grows and make sure his body matures as it's supposed to. They will also keep encouraging him to take care of his body as he is more susceptible to certain things.

This is such a big step for us. One we never thought we'd get to take. It's like another chapter in our book is ending and a new one has begun.  We are ready. To be honest though, there is a small part of me that wants to ask them if they are sure-sure that this is the right time. It's a little bit hard to let go of the scans. They were a bit of safety net.  I do trust my people at the hospital, but more importantly I trust in the Lord's sovereignty. There is no question in my mind that He is in complete control and is always faithful. Always. Forever.

I have so much more to write, but the words are so jumbled in my mind and I can't sort them out yet. So I will end with my favourite Psalm.... (If you have read it a thousand times, do it one more time out loud. The truths are quite glorious.)

Psalm 103 (ESV)

1  Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,

his acts to the people of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always chide,

nor will he keep his anger forever.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

13 As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

14 For he knows our frame;

he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 for the wind passes over it, and wit is gone,

and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to
everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness
to children's children,

18 to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments.

19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,

and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his word,

obeying the voice of his word!

21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,

his ministers, who do his will!

22  Bless the Lord, all his works,

in all places of his dominion.

 Bless the Lord, O my soul!