“Doctor, there is a patient on the phone who has a question about the diagnosis you gave him.”

I answered the phone and was greeted by a nervous voice. “I don’t know if you can help me but I saw your name on my pathology report.”

“Certainly, how can I help you, sir?”

“I had two skin cancers diagnosed by you and when I saw my surgeon, he re-excised the sites and then told me, much to my surprise that there was nothing left. I don’t understand.”

“Yes, and that is a good thing! First, let me reassure you that everything you did is correct. You have a history of skin cancers and have been regularly seeing a board-certified dermatologist who correctly identified two skin cancers. He sent the biopsies to me and I confirmed the clinical diagnoses by using my microscope. You then went to another dermatologist who specialized in surgical removal of skin cancers. The good news is there was no residual cancer so you are cured.”

I expected him to be happy but instead, he asked, “But there’s nothing left. Shouldn’t there have been cancer left in the excisions? Are you sure of your original diagnosis?”

Now, I understood the issue. “Sir, I assure you there was no mistake. The biopsies are only to confirm and establish the diagnoses, this is not the definitive treatment for these types of skin cancers. However, there is no way to know how much cancer is left in you. The good news for you is most, if not all of the cancer, was in the original biopsy. There are many times when these types of cancers are very aggressive and even after getting a definitive excision, as you did, the cancer may still be present at the margins and you would have to have obtained additional surgery. So, there’s nothing left. You are cured!”

There was an audible gasp as the patient replied. “Thank you! I spoke to so many people but no one gave me a straight answer as to why there was no cancer left. I thought for sure there was a mistake.”

There are many examples in life when we think of the worst possible outcome and instead, receive the best news. The disciples of Jesus Christ certainly experienced this.

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 

John 20:19-20 (NLT)

Jesus Christ prophesied His death to His disciples, yet none of them understood or believed Him. It would take His death and resurrection to finally convince them that He needed to suffer and die for their sins so that death would forever be conquered. What was seemingly the worst possible outcome became the Good News of the Gospel!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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