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26 June 2014

GOD'S GOT THIS!!

Daniel, Teresa, Carlton, and Joshua Mathews


GOD'S GOT THIS!

I want to first say thank you to Carrie for sharing about what our family has been going through the past 3 weeks. I also want to say thank you for the prayers that I know have been going up on Carlton's behalf. I will start at the beginning to inform anyone that hasn't seen my posts on Facebook.

My husband Carlton has been having back pains since mid-May; he thought it was a slipped disc so he visited a chiropractor a few times and when the pain wasn't subsiding I took him to Urgent Care. The UC Doctor suggested he go to see an orthopedic doctor, this was on Sunday June 1st.

Monday morning I called the office the UC doc suggested and I was told they only had two back doctors and it would probably be a long wait for an appointment, but the lady double checked and there was a cancellation for the next morning. I had prayed if this was what GOD wanted for Carlton they would have an appointment. We saw the doctor on Tuesday and he scheduled a MRI of Carlton's back and told us to come back on Friday.

Friday when the doctor walked in we were still thinking a slipped disc or maybe just arthritis, we were not prepared when he walked in and said "It's nothing like we thought!" Of course Carlton asks "what is it?" We still had no idea he would tell us "it appears you have two malignancies on your spine." To say we were shocked is a major understatement but GOD put the words in my mouth when I looked the doctor in the eye and said "GOD'S GOT THIS" I also told him "we have been here before fifteen years ago and GOD got us through then and He will again." Did I feel like our world had turned upside down? Absolutely!! Did I break down and cry and wonder why? Yes, I did, but I still KNEW that GOD would take care of us.

That same night our youngest son, Joshua and I prayed for Carlton and while I was praying in the spirit I was impressed to speak the words "You Shall Live and Not Die!" After Carlton went to bed that night I was reading the Bible and I found a scripture that went along with what I had just spoken over him; (Psalm 118: 15-17, 21). During that same time we had been praying for Carlton, our oldest son, Daniel was at our church crying out for his dad. God brought the story of Hezekiah to his mind (2 Kings 20:1-11). Hezekiah had been told by the Prophet Amoz he was going to die, so he started praying and GOD granted him another 15 years. On Saturday morning I was again praying and I heard GOD telling me "stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord" I got up and found the scripture (Exodus 14:13), this was where Moses and the Children of Israel were at the Red Sea and GOD led them through on dry ground. When I read that verse I felt led to replace the word "Egyptians" with the word "cancer". Once again I had gotten confirmation that GOD had everything under control.

On Monday, June 9th, we went to the Oncologist's office and they did blood work and took three bone marrow samples so they could diagnose the type of cancer. We went back on the following Wednesday and we were told it was Multiple Myeloma, (cancer in your bone marrow) stage 2.  I don't think I had ever heard of this cancer before, so being a curious person, and having a stack of books on it given to us by the nurse I researched it. As I was reading about it, it was like I was smacked in the head by GOD and told "stop, you don't need to read all of this if you are praying for me to heal Carlton" and once again I had scripture come to me "it shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones" (Proverbs 3:8) I looked it up and read that verse, then I backed up and read verses 1-7 and continued on through verses 9&10; Carlton's health, our finances and everything we need was covered in those verses.

On Tuesday of last week (17th) when Carlton went for his first chemo treatment I asked the nurse about the x-rays and blood work they had done the previous week; the Nurse Practitioner came to speak with us and told us that Carlton has the least aggressive type of MM and also he was only a stage 1 not the stage 2 that we had been told. She also mentioned that after he is in remission, he will need a bone marrow transplant and then he should be cured! That is so incredible because they don't usually say the word "cured" with MM. I was so excited when she told us that good news, I looked at Carlton and said "I told you GOD'S GOT THIS" Then I wanted to run out of the building and across the parking lot praising God; I figured out what David meant when he said "For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall." (2 Samuel 22:30) There wasn't a physical wall to leap over but we had leaped over the wall of despair that satan had tried to put up in our path!! PRAISE GOD!!

I was talking to my brother on Wednesday of this week and he was telling not to worry about anything, GOD took care of him four years ago (he fell off a roof on his head and was in a coma for 9 days) and GOD will do the same for us. I told him I am not worrying anymore about what is going to happen with Carlton's health, our bills, etc...; because I can't change anything and I do know that GOD is going to take care of us. Then I made mention again of the story of Hezekiah and how GOD proved His word to Hezekiah by turning the sundial back 10 degrees and it hit me out of the blue that GOD had done the same thing for us by downgrading Carlton's cancer from a stage 2 to a stage 1. WOW!! GOD is so good and yes, yes, yes GOD'S GOT THIS!!!

I will be giving updates as we travel down this path that GOD has chosen for us and I appreciate every prayer that you will pray for Carlton. While you are praying for him pray for the other people that have this same horrible cancer that don't have the hope of Jesus Christ. Carlton and I have been praying that someone will come to know Jesus because of this situation and that GOD will receive glory and honor and praise!!

Here is several links about Mutiple Myeloma;
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
American Cancer Society
Mayo Clinic

Thank God Carlton did not have any of the normal symptoms; he only had the back pain which was a blessing because this was caught very early, there was NO sign of MM in his blood work. This is a disease that usually plagues older people but Carlton is only 52 so this can happen to younger people. 

17 comments:

  1. Praying for all of you every day. God has truly provided in this time of trial. Anticipating Carlton's complete healing. Thanks for sharing with us in the midst of these trials, Teresa. I'm so privileged to have spent time with you and your wonderful family. I love you and am sending hugs and kisses and prayers your way!!!

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  2. CARRIE I am blessed beyond measure to have you, Diana, Marian and Noela as my friends; GOD certainly knew what He was doing putting us together. We are so grateful for all the prayers that are going up for us, CARLTON is already healed in JESUS' NAME!! Can't wait for another fun time together Carrie! :-)

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    1. Yes He does know what He is doing! Next time I'll make the cake! Big hugs!!!

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  3. TERESA, my dear Sissy, I was blessed to read through all the pieces of your testimony put together, wow - it's just so wonderful how our heavenly Father is making sure you KNOW that He's got this!! :) And I know that He's going to use this situation for His glory also - and if that is to save another soul, or more, that's also going through this, I know Carlton and you will be rejoicing. You and your family have our prayers, our thoughts, and all our love!!!

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    1. NOELA we would never have chosen to go through this but with GOD beside us all the way it sure makes it easier! "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isaiah 43:2

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  4. TERESA, you and Carlton are never far away from my thoughts and prayers. Love reading all of your praise reports and am anxious to read even more in the upcoming weeks. You and Carlton are such a blessing to all of us at Abundant Life Assembly, and to all you come in contact with! We don't understand why these things happen, but it's such sweet assurance knowing that God is in control.

    I DO believe we need another Carrie "fix" at Fatz Cafe! haha What a fun, giggly time that was! A 22 layer birthday cake, gifts, love, and laughter...what more could we ask for? It was a perfect day. Love you, Teresa.

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    1. DIANA thank you so much for the prayers, it makes a difference to know that your friends are praying for you!
      I'm with you, I can't wait for another fun time with CARRIE!! She is a good influence on us!! :-)

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  5. Praying for your husband and your family!

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  6. Hello, Teresa.! ♪♫♪• ♥He's got His*•.♪♫♪ Angels watching✫♥ ♪♪♫♪•✫Over YOU ♥*¨*•.♪♫everywhere you go!♪✫♥¸.♪•*♥ ¨*Angels•♫♪watching • *♥ ¨*•Over you!♫♪♫♪•✫ *•.♪♫♪✫♥.♪♥ As I read your awesome reports of God's glorious care, before I even got toward the bottom where you spoke about the reason, I guess I was asking why in my heart and believe you and or Carlton will meet someone with cancer who has no hope and is on the road to hell. God is preparing his heart even now to hear the Good News of Jesus' Love and redemption, His saving grace! And you will KNOW that his soul was snatched from the devil's clutch because you shared. Revelation 12:11 says: We will OVERCOME by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony!! Thank you so much for sharing. I know it will be a blessing to so many! Love and hugs from Texas!

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  7. CARYL thanks for the beautiful song!! :-) We just want to be the witness that GOD would have us to be. I love that scripture for Revelation, my Mom used to quote that all the time when I was a kid. I didn't know back then exactly what it meant but now I sure do!! Love you my friend!!

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  8. Hi sweet Teresa. So glad GOD is working like this in your lives. And that you are so close to HIM to hear HIS every word. I love that you are so good with scriptures and knowing where to find them. I can''t even remember all of the ones I memorized in my teens. My memory is getting so bad. I keep praying it will improve. I have heard of this cancer before. Lots of little children in ST. Judes Children's Hospital have this plus almost every kind there is. It is so heart-breaking to see how many little already have these cancers. From a few months old and up. I am praying for your healing every day. Love you girl. May GOD continue to bless you all. Maxie

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    1. MAXIE you always bring a smile to my face; you are such a blessing and I love you so much!!

      I fear I must confess I also have a hard time remembering what my mom used to call "the address" of scriptures! If I can't remember where it's found I use www.biblegateway.com or google!! lol Both of those are a big help when you need to look up a scripture!

      Cancer is a terrible thing for anyone to have but when it's a child, it's very heart breaking!! I remember as a child one of my cousins died from a brain tumor a couple days before her 10th birthday. It broke my heart to see her suffer like that. I can't wait for the day when all sickness and suffering will be done away with! What a glorious day that will be!! :-)

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  9. Teresa, you have no idea how many people have probably already been inspired by your testimony and scripture postings these past few weeks and the strong faith of you and your family!! And God will continue to use you and your family to inspire - not only now, but after Carlton is healed!!

    As Diana mentioned, it is so wonderful to see how God is guiding and preparing you and your family through each step of this journey!! We, as Christians, are blessed in that we have a God to comfort, heal, protect, and guide us through life's trials and I join your family in prayer that God will use your testimony to bring others to Himself!!

    Continued prayers for doctor's wisdom and discernment, complete healing, relief from side effects of treatments, continued peace for you and your family, provision for finances, and glorification of God!!

    Love and hugs to you and your family, Teresa!!

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    1. BONNIE thank you for the encouragement and for your sweet friendship, it always brightens my day to hear from you!! If there is only one person saved through all of this it will be worth it. I was talking to Carlton today about everything that has happened and we both thought how different things would have been if we had just taken the news from the doctor and moped around. We are thankful we were raised by Christian parents who taught us "What a friend we have in Jesus"!! I cannot bare the thought of what would have happened if we didn't have Him to rely on. :-)

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  10. Thank you for sharing this journey, Teresa. Prayers continue for Carlton and your family!!

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    1. BRITNEY thank you so much for your prayers, that's what is getting us through. It is a wonderful blessing to know that my friends are praying for Carlton! :-)

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