How many blessings can be squeezed into 20 years?

Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

Twenty years ago, today, I woke up and had cancer.

I had no idea what the day would bring.  It had been about two months since I was diagnosed with myxoid liposarcoma in my left thigh.  I had come to peace with my Lord and Savior and simply put my life in His hands.  I wasn’t at all scared, but I was looking right into the eyes of death.  I may have already celebrated my last Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

By the time I fell asleep that night the tumor was gone.  I have been cancer-free ever since. I thank the talented surgeons who did a marvelous job.

Here it is 20 years later, and I have been blessed with so much.  Seven graduations (3 for each daughter and one for my wife Cathy). Two daughter’s weddings. Two new “sons.”  A renewed faith. Twelve Mission Trips and consequently a list of hundreds of Facebook friends. The privilege to hold public elected office. A very successful and fulfilling career and wonderful early retirement. The opportunity to visit many countries in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Many wonderful adventures with my wife of nearly 35 years.  The chance to fulfill my mom’s Disneyworld Dream for my parent’s 50th anniversary.  Celebrating my grandmother’s 100th birthday.  Twenty more Thanksgivings.  Twenty more Christmases. Twenty more Birthdays. Twenty more anniversaries.

So yeah, there is no doubt that those prayers in the early morning of January 28, 1998 were answered.  And as He promises, He has given me an abundance beyond anything I could imagine.  In fact, the diagnosis itself gave me much needed perspective on life.  Every moment since that day has been an unexpected gift and therefore greatly treasured.  Having been challenged, nothing else I have faced could really cause me stress.  It hasn’t always been easy, but I have never lost confidence the God does all things for good.  And this has made all the difference.

Posted by Kevin Freiert

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Kevin Freiert

Kevin is the CEO of Salem Oaks Enterprises, LLC. Committed to working with patients, their advocates, biopharmaceutical companies, regulators and other stakeholders to develop educational tools that help patients bridge the gap between themselves and Biopharma R&D.

Works Cited

Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash.com

5 Comments

  1. Kay Franke on January 28, 2018 at 10:32 pm

    I’m proud to say I know you and that you a big part of my church family! ❤️



  2. Michele Dittner on January 28, 2018 at 10:45 pm

    Kevin, so many blessings to be thankful for. I enjoyed reading your story. Thanks for sharing and being a model for all of us to be thankful for all things and to look forward to God’s plan unfold in our lives.
    In Christ,
    Michele



  3. Aunt Chick and Uncle Dave. on January 29, 2018 at 4:41 pm

    A beautiful testimony, Kevin. Thanks for sharing. I’ve also been counting our blessings. Six years this month since Dave’s cancer diagnosis.
    God has bestowed a minute portion of His endless and limitless grace and kindness upon us both. Hugs.



  4. Jamie Roger on January 30, 2018 at 9:31 am

    And twenty more years for your daughters to see what an amazing man you are and help guide and support them along the way.



  5. Karin sassa on January 31, 2018 at 3:50 pm

    Thanks for sharing that story and reminding us of all of our blessings.