Here we go again!

So here I sit in front of the computer screen for what seems like hours trying to figure out how to start this post.  I feel no great inspiration.  It's hard to figure out how or what I want to say. Here goes...

My name is Craig Cobley.  I am 56 years old, and I found out a few days ago that I have cancer. There I said it, lets move forward

As many of you know, 4 years ago, our youngest daughter, Hannah was diagnosed with a very rare form of leukemia.  So rare in fact, that Phoenix Children's Hospital had not had a case for 7 years prior to her diagnosis and none since.

Hannah is cured, she beat cancer!  My family does not have a history of cancer (maybe now we do) The Cobley's die of heart attacks. The ticker goes, and we pass.

A few months ago, I am lying on my back in bed, hands on my chest and I feel a lump. It's about the size of an Oreo cookie.   This can not be normal, and of course being a man, I chose to ignore it. I had an injury to my elbow and had to see the team Doc, and I asked him what he thought, his first response was that it was a cyst or lypoma and that it should be looked at. I head to my dermatologist who said the same thing but that it was too big (yikes) for him to diagnose. Off I went to a general surgeon. His response was a Desmoid tumor which is a benign tumor that can be easily removed. Great lets get after it! Not so fast...MRI and then CT scan and biopsy and then tissue samples sent off to University of Miami for a second opinion. This is not good.  Turns out that I have a Chondrosarcoma - a rare form of cancer that attacks cartilage and surrounding tissue. I had a PET scan on Friday to make sure there are no other tumors (this cancer does not spread that way so it is highly unlikely that it has spread).  Appointment with the thoracic surgeon on Tuesday afternoon because of course they will have to remove part of my sternum and take a couple of ribs (whats 2 more). Plastic surgeon will have to join the party because i won't have enough muscle tissue to cover the mesh that will protect my lung since I will not have part of my sternum. It's gonna be a party.

This type of cancer does not respond well to chemo and radiation so we just need to get it out. Maybe a little radiation on the back end depending on what the margins look like after surgery. The prognosis is good, and its just gonna hurt like crazy.

In the same way that I asked God how Hannah's cancer would further His Kingdom.  I am asking the same thing now.  God, how will this further your Kingdom.  That is my focus.  Things happen for a reason, this is not random.

I will sign this blog same way that I signed off on Hannah's when following her fight.

Our English language does not have the depth we have been looking for when we say "thank you."  Pastor Steve suggested this Greek word for us.   Eucaristia which translates to the soul being filled with grace, a sign of unity or a bond of charity.  While this just scratches the surface, it is the word we will use.

Eucaristia, may God bless you the way that He has blessed us.