by Donna Poole
We were an unlikely trio, two women and a man, separated by many miles. One lived in Iowa, one in Michigan, and one in South Carolina. We began our song in May/June of 2020, a melody of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, sung in three-part harmony. When I prayed for one of us, I prayed for three of us.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has a mind of its own and goes where it will go. Irv’s settled in his brain; Debbie’s went to her pancreas, and mine made itself at home in my abdomen and lung.
We went to college with Irv and hadn’t seen him since, but we followed him on Facebook. Irv earned degrees from Clarks Summit University, Bob Jones University, and the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music—and he had incredible, God-given musical talent. He became college professor at three different colleges and was a Minister of Music at four churches. His passion in life was Soli Deo Gloria—Glory to God alone. When he found out the NHL cancer had invaded his brain, he commented to loved ones, “Now is the time to practice our theology.”
Irv didn’t whimper or whine or ask, “Why me?” His life sang praise to God alone for all the short but brutal days of his cancer journey.
Irv’s daughter wrote, “June 2020 was the beginning. November 2020 was the end. 143 days fell in between.”
Now our trio was a duet. Debbie, a pastor’s wife beloved by her family and her church family, was still fighting. Her battle was hard; the side effects of the treatments were almost unbearable. But Debbie didn’t whimper or whine or ask why me, though I’m sure she sometimes sobbed in pain.
For all the days of her treatment Debbie wanted the same thing Irv wanted, Soli Deo Gloria.
In May of 2020 Debbie received her cancer diagnosis in the emergency room. She wrote, “God was in control—I knew that. I determined there in the ER that I would be a grateful, thankful patient, and trust God with everything.”
Finally, Debbie heard the wonderful news that she was cancer free. Through all the difficult days of chemotherapy and still today, Debbie’s life sings praise to God alone.
In May of 2020 I started wheezing, a funny noise that made me laugh. I thought it was just my Myasthenia Gravis. Kimmee, our daughter, wasn’t laughing. Concerned that I might have pneumonia, she insisted I see our family doctor. Within days I had my cancer diagnosis. At first the doctors thought it was small cell lung cancer, but a biopsy showed it was NHL, a cancer that usually responds well to treatment.
The key word is usually. If you’ve been walking these curving backroads with me long, you know that Morticia, my lung tumor, is stubborn and resistant to treatment. So far, she has survived six treatments of R-Chop chemotherapy, eight of GemOx, and eleven of radiation. I’m continuing with a drug trial of Epcoritamab, a new medication not yet on the market, but showing great promise for resistant cancers like mine.
I’m the last member of the trio still singing the melody of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Will I be like Irv, promoted to the heavenly choir? Or will I be like Debbie, restored to health and using every ounce of energy for God, her family, and her ministry? Only God knows.
All I know is I hope to practice my theology. Either God is all-loving and all- powerful, or He is not. He is, and He is my Father, and I don’t plan to live or die like an orphan!
Sometimes I’ve whimpered and whined. Then I remember whose child I am. And I recall wise words from Oswald Chambers, “Some moods don’t go by praying; they go by kicking!”
Like Irv and Debbie, the other two members of our unexpected trio, I want the song of my life to echo the joyful theme, Soli Deo Gloria—Glory to God alone.
Amen Amen 💝🙌🙌💝
Thank you for continuing to witness and testify even through the cancer. Donna you have been such an inspiration to me 💜 Much love and blessings
Maria, you have been a blessing to me! God bless you!
Sitting here.. Deeply moved by your writings again Donna. This time much more so my friend.
You are one very brave ladwhom I admire very much, and love to read your writings. Than you for sharing about your friends. And I am continuing to uphold you in prayer Donna.
Sending hugs. Love always…. Right into eternity. Xx
God bless you, Jenny, my friend across the sea!
To Almighty God be the glory. I have beaten cancer twice but lost a kidney in the process. Diabetes continues to assail me. But as long as God sees fit I intend to praise His Holy name in song. I have a couple of Stents in my heart after a heart attack but God is good! He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.
Joe, you are so right. He will never leave us! May God continue to bless you.
Dear Donna, thank you for reminding me to continue giving glory to God alone🙏🏼♥️♥️🙏🏼
Jean, you have glorified God through your trials. May He bless you!
A lovely tribute to the members of your trio, as well as to your Heavenly Father. Your tribute speaks to my heart in several ways, Donna. Thank you so much for the blessing. I love you.
Deborah, thank you for your encouragement! God bless you and yours.
This is beautiful 💕We are praying for you & your family! Sending love & prayers
Pam, thank you so much. God bless you and yours!
Donna, you are an inspiration and I am so blessed by your walk with God. Our walks are all unique and by faith in God’s sovereignty and knowing His plan for us will be for our good; we pray to look forward each day with gratitude. May God bless you with much grace to rest in Him.🙏💖
What an encouragement this is to me, Connie. Thank you. Let’s keep walking each other Home.
Although this sounds strange, I am privileged to be part of this trio. You have become a precious friend, Donna. None of us know the future, so we must cherish each day as another of God’s gifts. One thing we do know is that we will all be reunited some day to sing together, Soli Deo Gloria—Glory to God alone, throughout eternity! Thank you for your kind words and many prayers. You are a blessing and inspiration to me.
Debbie, what a strange way to become friends, lymphoma, but I’m glad we are! God bless, keep, and use you I pray. Yes! Irv taught us all well. Glory to God alone!
Thanks Donna. God has blessed many from that 1966 freshman class at BBS! YOU are a blessing! WE love you and John. Next week we return to Italy, God willingl Fred and Rachel Whitman
Fred, and now you’re back in Italy, but even from there, we can keep walking each other Home! God bless you and your family!
Such a blessing, as always. Love and prayers continue. We are so thankful for your life and testimony all these years. “Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful “.
Karin, we love that song. It’s the prayer of our hearts! Much love.
Yes, Donna, your life is indeed glorifying to Him. I praise Him for that and thank you for your trust in His Word and His faithfulness to you as His beloved daughter. You inspire me to do the same. I love you and am continuing in my prayers for you.
Valerie, I’m so grateful for your prayers, love, and faithfulness to God. Blessings!
Once again, I am weeping. Your steadfast love for our Savior is so precious!
Donna, years and miles apart, but close in heart! Let’s keep walking each other Home!