When Nelson‘s father was alive, he used to encourage his young children in a special way. If they were going through something hard—like stitches in an ER—he would say, “You’re being a good soldier, kid. Hang in there.”

These days, if he was with us, I think he’d say the same thing while watching his son fight this hard battle against cancer.

Today, after multiple doctors consulted with each other yesterday, a decision was made to perform a procedure on Nelson, despite the risk. They would transport him to one of the surgical centers here and establish a type of port going into his left lung similar to that on the right. It would be a drain that could open and close rather than remain open like the one in the hospital.

The reason it was risky was because they had to stop his blood thinner meds for six or more hours in order to successfully do the surgery. During that time, anything could happen. A piece of his existing blood clot could break off and move into his lungs—a disaster. Or other clots could quickly form elsewhere in his body.

But without this new drain he couldn’t leave the hospital. With it, Ann Sophie could manage draining his lungs at home, both sides. Today’s surgery would be one more step toward being discharged.

Two days ago we were round tabling the idea of this possible surgery, weighing the pros and cons. Nelson said, “I just don’t want that. Not another ambulance ride, another surgery, and then another recuperation. No thanks.“

But today, there he was, being strapped onto a gurney and wheeled away to an ambulance that was indeed headed for a surgical center, to do what he didn’t want to do. But he was being a good soldier.

When it was all over and he was back in his regular room tonight, he reported that despite pain in his side, he felt great. Also, after his stint in the recovery room, he was left free of all tubes and IV lines and is now taking all meds by mouth. But best of all, tonight the staff gave him the good word that he can be discharged—tomorrow! This soldier has won a victory.

Back at home, I was singing to little Will, and without realizing it, was actually singing about Nelson:

“Onward Christian soldier, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ the Royal Master leads against the foe.
Forward into battle, see his banner go.”’

You’re being a good soldier, kid. Hang in there.

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3)