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December 16, 2009

Sad news for Matt Chandler

Surgery removed part of malignant brain tumor, but not all of it.

Ted Olsen

Some sad news from The Village Church today:

On Tuesday, Dr. Barnett informed Matt and Lauren [Chandler] that the findings of the pathology report revealed a malignant brain tumor that was not encapsulated. The surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor said, was an extremely positive first step; however, because of the nature of the tumor, he was not able to remove all of it.

Matt, who is being released from the hospital today, is meeting with a neuro-oncologist this week to outline the next steps of the recovery process. There is a range of treatment possibilities but the exact course of action has not yet been determined. He will continue outpatient rehab.

The Lord is calling Matt and Lauren and The Village Church body to endure this trial. It will be a challenging road for Matt, his family and our church body. The gospel is our hope and the Lord is our strength. Matt and Lauren continue to find solace and hope in Christ. They weep facing this trial, but not as those without hope and perspective. The gospel clarifies their suffering and promises more of Christ through it all.

There is more at the Facebook group "What God is doing at The Village Church"

In case you missed it, this week's Theology in the News column looked at Chandler and other pastors who have faced cancer.

posted by Ted Olsen | Comments (3)

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This is certainly not the way anyone hoped this story would go on; my prayers go to the Chandler family at this time. However, I hope they're learning what I have learned in the 17 mos. or so that I went through a very similar process (Grande Mal seizures leading to lemon-sized tumor discover, leading to surgery, leading to malignant diagnosis, leading to subsequent treatments) that a malignant brain tumor diagnosis today is not the same as a brain tumor diagnosis at any time in the past. More than likely, this is anything BUT a death sentence for Matt...

Treatment options have progressed so far in recent years that more and more people are walking away from these things with little more than a great scar and a great story. For months, I was flooded with prayers for healing and protection during my ordeals (including a subsequent infection, which I believe I only survived through prayer-driven protection).

However, a funny realization developed, when people would praise God for my being healed. I came to realize that, until that magic 5-yr mark, I won't really know if I actually was healed or not. What I do know, though, is that God provided His children with an amazing capacity for inventive creativity, which has produced some amazing technologies that save a lot of lives (including the one typing these words). It's been extremely comforting to know that God has provided encouragement, protection, and resources at every step of my journey.

Although these next few weeks and months will be somewhat staggering, we all hope that the Chandler family never loses their hope in a positive outcome. I pray that Matt is being comforted by knowing that God is writing his story even in the midst of this, and will not leave a good story unfinished.

Posted By: Phil | December 18, 2009 7:00 PM

it was really sorry to hear this. My assistant pastor'wife (40) was diagnosed suffering for breast cancer (stage 4 plus) six months ago. So far she has been at Singapore for 6th Chemo and doctor said that she should has immediate operation. So far she looks so well as she keep praising the Lord as the Proverb said that the merry heart doeth like a medicine. Hope that brother Matt being comforted by knowing that "nothing is impossible for God" the other great message on Christmas.

Posted By: Sam Mangowal | December 22, 2009 2:13 AM

I want to quote the Bible, nothing else can help you stay stronger.


Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
--Isaiah 41:10

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