How Good Our God Is

“Hey Bro/Sis, I just wanted to call and tell you how good our God is.” That was how I started my phone call with each one of my siblings on my way back down to Ann Arbor. The truth is that I was absolutely exhausted and needed to talk to keep myself awake. The truth is also that each of them loves me and my family and was hurting right along with us.

Of my three siblings, my younger brother seemed to be struggling the most with Michael’s situation. He had been Michael’s 4th grade teacher and elementary principal. And he was also going through another very painful situation in his life. His mother in law whom has practically lived with his family for the last few years was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer a few days before Michael was diagnosed with leukemia. He was my first call. We cried together on the phone, and I told him all the ways in which I saw God working. We ended the call by praying with and for each other. My phone calls with my sisters went much the same way. And while I do not remember all of the details of our conversations, I want to share some of the things that I shared with them.

First, it is of the Lord that we were able to get in to our pediatrician right away. THAT NEVER HAPPENS. Usually it is several days before you can get in, and we end up taking our kids to urgent care instead. The Tuesday morning that Sarah called, she was told they had three openings that day. Again, that is practically unheard of.

Second, I am grateful for a pediatrician who was willing to listen to a parent when he said his son wasn’t healthy. He did not dismiss my opinion and entertained my request for blood work. My experience over the years is that, at times, there are those in the medical profession who treat parents as if they know nothing. Our pediatrician took me seriously, and I am grateful for that.

Third, I am thankful for a resident in the emergency room in Saginaw who went over the supervising doctor’s head to get us into Ann Arbor. The supervising doctor wanted us to take Michael home and quarantine him for a week until we could get him to a hematologist in Flint the following week. The resident came back in and told us that he wasn’t comfortable with that plan and called and talked to a hematologist in Ann Arbor and discussed the blood work results with an actual expert. (He was unable to talk to the hematologist in Flint because the doctor was on vacation). The specialist in Ann Arbor told the resident to have us head to the ER at Mott immediately.

Fourth, God has allowed Michael to have a cancer that is very treatable. This particular type of leukemia is the most common one that children get, and therefore one of the most researched and studied cancers out there. As such, there is over a 90% survival rate. We were encouraged with the fact that if you have to have leukemia, this is the one that you want. Beyond that, there are a few different sub types of this kind of leukemia. Of all the subtypes, Michael has the most treatable subtype.

Fifth, God has given us an excellent team of doctors, nurses, techs, physician assistants, and medical students to help us in this fight. We have been so incredibly impressed with the level of care that Michael has received. It is at a level that I have never experienced at any other medical facility. We have been blessed with an oncologist who is an absolute sweetheart and who specializes specifically in leukemia in adolescents. Many of the members of our team already feel like family. While we have had several nurses, one in particular has especially been a blessing. Sara is a Christian who has been on the oncology floor for 19 years. She told us that, she is considered a rebel because openly pushes back against the woke ideology that is so prevalent in a hard-left leaning area. Dr. Walling (our oncologist), nurses Jamie and Bridget, and med-student Jeremy have all been godsends to us. We are convinced that Michael is exactly where He needs to be.

Sixth, the level of love and support that we have received from God’s people in absolutely overwhelming. Our tribe has stepped up in HUGE ways. Countless friends, family members, school administrators, teachers, classmates, parents of classmates, church members, co-workers, and compete strangers have reached out. The visits from friends and family, the care packages, gift cards, and most importantly the prayers have meant more to us than words can express.

While we do not know what twists and turns our journey with cancer will take, one truth remains the same: our God is always only good!