Hope Beyond Diagnosis

Book excerpt: The fear of cancer: how many millions of families have received that dreaded news or call? My wife received our call the morning of April 1, 2005. The doctor's office advised the second biopsy taken on the lump removed from inside my throat was confirmed by the Mayo Clinic, Stage 3 melanoma. My wife asked if this was treatable and was told it most probably had metastasized and the prognosis was not good. The news, prognosis and surgery tell Part 1 of the journey. Part 2 of the journey graphically details the intervention of a God whom we in this country constantly debate, defend, disclaim and simply want little or no part of. Whatever your status in life, so many of us have been affected by this dreaded, killing disease that has no regard for age or gender. Just about everyone- those battling cancer, Christian people wondering if God still heals, people looking for a source of joy, hope and peace, people wondering if there is a God and are looking for something to grab hold of, and people who adamantly deny the existence of any God- should take the time to read this story. Part 3 is my attempt to share four years of intimacy with a God who has shared His heart, beginning in November of 2004. There is no hidden agenda here, just an average man wanting to share a very unique journey of a profound healing and intimate conversations with the "God of Hope." Rick and Connie continue to reside in Philadelphia, PA. They have four grown sons, two daughter-in-laws, two grandsons, and two granddaughters. Rick and Connie worship at an Assembly of God church in Wyncote, PA.