"Clear Margins." To many people, this term might mean little, if anything. If you ask a Cancer Survivor what it means, however, you will find it to be one of the most beautiful phrases in the English language.
I have now heard this phrase, as it applies to me, twice in the last six years. One came six years ago with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, the other last week, the result of a new diagnosis of malignant melanoma.
About three weeks ago, a trip to my Dermatologist to have him check a suspicious-looking mole on my neck ended up with two biopsies and a week later, a surgical procedure to remove a 1 inch by 4.25 inch slice of tissue from behind my left ear to below my jawline. You might say I had "cosmetic" surgery...I had surgery, now I need some cosmetics...ahem.
(I hope this helps explain our conspicuous absence at National Quartet Convention. It seems we must have our "annual" NQC crisis, be it surgery, hurricanes, or terrorism. Our apologies to those who hoped to see us in Louisville. Now, back to my story.)
Once again, I found I am quite a grower of cancer cells! Some guys grow corn, some wheat, I grow cancer. I am also prolific in fat cells, by the way, which makes me double-productive. I guess if I were a property, I would be Kansas farmland, downwind from a dairy farm. Some of you may get that later. Or not. Just remember, I have had surgery on my head in the last couple of weeks.
I am happy to say that all further biopsies of the removed tissue show "clear margins." In other words, no sign of spread cancer. Glory to God! I couldn't wait to let everyone know of this blessing, but just when I was about to share my good news with you, the Devil threw one more sucker punch...another suspicious mole found when I had my sutures taken out that had to be removed and biopsied!!
So for the past week, I have quietly been waiting for the results of this biopsy number three. The results are in today and are benign! There's another beautiful word, BENIGN.
So tonight, I can officially tell you that I am cancer free! CLEAR MARGINS...BENIGN. I told a dear friend last week that I am a now cancer survivor of TWO types, pancreatic and malignant melanoma! Cancer may one day take my mortal life, but it can only do it ONCE. I have (by God's Grace, not my strength) beaten cancer TWICE! The best "score" the disease can ever achieve is losing, 2-1. Cancer will never win more from me than I have already won over it! No one can ever say "he lost his battle to cancer." They will have to say, "he passed away after winning 2-1 over cancer!"
My story is a lot like Christ. The Devil can win the day. He may win the week, month or year. He may win the fight, but in the end, He ALWAYS AND FOREVER HAS LOST THE BATTLE! Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe, as the song says.
Don't take me wrong, my victories are Gods, not mine. I am no match for Satan. He wears me out day in and day out. Sometimes I think it is because I always try to give God the glory and delight in reminding Lucifer he has lost already. Maybe it is because I remind folks just what a LIAR he is. Perhaps I am just plain 'ole dumb for doing this, as it enrages him all the more. It may be that is what brings so much trial into my life, and into the lives of my loved ones. I don't think I will change, however. I grow a lot of stubbornness, too, by the way.
I am such a far cry from what God would have me to be. Every day, I let Him down, my family down and myself down. It does not change the fact that He is so good to me. His love and mercy abide in me, else I would die from my own lowliness.
I do thank you for the thoughts and prayers of the last few weeks. Keep them up, I need them more than even this letter can say. I will leave you with some very familiar scripture:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Green pastures. Still waters. Clear margins.
Dale Golden
The Goldens
http://www.daleandcherylgolden.com
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 10/01/2006
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Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 3
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Thanks for a great article. Very uplifting.
Thanks so much for printing Dale Golden's "Clear Margins" article. It is so touching. Isn't God Wonderful?
What an incredible and encouraging testimony. I needed to hear this today. With so many people today consumed with self, it is encouraging to hear about what Jesus is doing, how Jesus is healing, how Jesus is on the throne! Praise God! It is all about Jesus, Jesus and Jesus. We will pray for you and thanks again for your encouraging words.
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