My wife of 42 years, Sharon Dallas Wilkin, went in on Dec 19 to have a large ovarian cyst removed. All the tests indicated that it was benign.

Here is a short catalog of some of the trials since then.

• We had to wait four extra hours (6 total) before the surgery started.
• The three-hour surgery took nine hours.
• The surgery which originally was to end at 3 PM actually ended at 1:00 AM.
• While removing the cyst, the doctor nicked one of her ureters, requiring immediate surgery to fix that.
• While taking out the cyst, it accidentally broke, spilling the contents into her abdomen.
• When the right ovary was examined under the microscope, it was found to be cancerous (as was the cyst).
• I was called back four times to talk with the gynecologist, the urologist, the fellow of the gynecologist, and the oncologist.
• Sharon spent two days in the hospital, rather than the one initially planned.
• A drainage tube was taken out of her right side on Friday before we came home. The small hole in her side drained a lot on Monday night in the middle of the night.
• Sleep has been interrupted a lot for both us.
• Sharon has some sort of allergic reaction on her legs. Anti-itch cream helps a little.

Next week we go back to see the oncologist. Sharon will have her first chemo either that day or at the end of next week. We’ve been told Sharon will need six chemo treatments, each three weeks after the last. Sharon’s hair is expected to fall out. We do not yet know the details of the type of chemo.

Sharon has been very upbeat, which has been a trial for me. She is not resting much. She is talking on the phone, visiting with people who come to our house, texting people, etc. On Christmas day we went to a luncheon and our supposed one-hour stay turned into three hours. The day after Christmas, Sharon went with a handyman to Lowe’s to pick out a hot water heater, which was then installed.

I wish Sharon would rest more. But Sharon is going to be Sharon.

The oncologist says Sharon has an 85% chance of a complete healing after the six chemo treatments, assuming no new information emerges. Sharon has said several times that she is ready to be with the Lord if that is His plan. However, she’d like another ten to fifteen years. When I tell her she is likely to live into her nineties (her mom lived to 89 and her mom’s mom, 93), she says she doesn’t want to live that long. But she insists that we either go at the same time via death or Rapture, or that she goes first. No pressure on me!

I’ve been very caring and loving this past week. And I’ve yelled and screamed at times too. My emotions have been all over the map. My behavior has been good and bad.

At the Christmas party one of the men present said, “You are a tyrant.” He said it with a bit of a smile on his face. But I had been chastising Sharon about letting a big dog jump up on her and potentially hurt her. I responded, “Well, yes, I’m a tyrant. But I’m a benevolent tyrant.” The man at the party roared at that line.

I realize that the Lord Jesus will evaluate my motives and my words and deeds at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema). He will evaluate my deeds “whether good or bad” (2 Cor 5:9-10). I’m hoping for a large amount of mercy at the Bema (Jas 2:13). I’m made of clay, and my pot has cracks in it.

I really want to be a godly husband all the time, but especially now. I guess I have to settle for being what I am: a flawed individual whose heart is in the right place most of the time.

Our thanks to David and Linda Renfro, Mike and Letitia Lii, Carol Swift, Paula McWilliams, my niece Tami, and Sharon’s sisters Lynn and Bev for all the help they have given.

We appreciate the prayers of all who have been praying. And we ask for continued prayers as Sharon undergoes chemo.