Death is Not Dying

I just discovered this video today and it was right at a moment I needed it. I needed to be reassured that despite cancer being outside of my plans for my 33 year old wife, God is firmly in control.

It’s the wonderful testimony of a Rachel Barkley — a 38-year-old mom of 2 — gave in March after finding out she had terminal cancer. Rachel died Monday.

From deathisnotdying.com:

But for Rachel the essence of life is found in her relationship with God through Jesus. And that’s why Rachel is convinced that death is not dying.

On March 4, 2009, what started out as a small talk to a women’s group at her church grew into an event attended by 600 women from around Vancouver, giving Rachel an opportunity to share about her hope in the midst of terminal cancer.

Rachel’s honest and thought-provoking talk touched women of all ages and left a hunger for discovering more about Rachel’s journey and the faith that has so deeply affected her life.

It’s long — almost an hour. But it’s the best hour I’ve spent this week. I encourage you to take the time to watch it if at all possible: Death is not Dying by Rachel Barkley on Vimeo (wouldn’t let me embed it).

So, the doctor called…

Just got a call from the doctor… Mostly good news.

First — the bad news. The MRI was inconclusive. Because of hormones related to her menstrual cycle, the radiologists couldn’t read the results of the MRI. So, we’ll have to redo it in a week or so.

The good news is very good. To put it as the doctor did, “Holly, you are going to be okay. We are going to get this all out — you are going to raise your kids and go shopping again.”

The type of cancer she has is Carcinoma in situ. Some call it more of a pre-cancer than cancer. It is non-invasive, meaning it won’t spread to another part of her body. This is HUGE — it spreading was Holly’s biggest fear.

The doctor also described it as at it’s earliest stages, and very treatable. We’ll know after the next MRI how extensive it is within her breasts.

We’ll meet with the doctor again on Monday, which we are looking forward to. She’s an amazing Christian, and reminded us, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” — 2 Tim 1:7

So we enter the weekend, full of hope — not in doctors or medicine — but in a God that has given us His spirit of power and love inside of us.

Thanks to all for the prayers. We feel every one.