Laugh Again with Phil Callaway - Ed's Last Chance

0:00The doctor came to the anesthetic and I heard him say, well, this is going to be an experiment for all of us. Thanks for joining us today. You're listening to Lafagan with Phil Calloway. Yesterday I took a friend for minor surgery, don't worry, I didn't do the surgery, but we got laughing as I told him some things you don't want to hear when you're entering surgery. The doctor will be late, he's still in court. Have you signed all the waivers? Uh, nurse, hand me that a thingy. The doctor will be with you shortly, he's watching a how-to-youtube video, man oh man. Ed sat beside me at a banquet and just before I got up to speak, told me his amazing story. At the age of 49, he was told he had colon cancer. It's very advanced, said his doctor, we'll do all we can, but you need to get your affairs in order. Shocked, turned to disbelief and anger. As a highly successful executive, Ed was used to being in charge.

1:01His staff jumped when he said so, suddenly everything important was out of his hands. His millions couldn't buy him another month. And how would he tell his wife? They seldom spoke. But when he finally broke the news, she wept. After a sleepless night, Ed called the office and for the first time in 17 years, he wasn't coming in. He should have retired years ago, but work kept his mind off broken relationships. How would he tell his three kids? They lived nearby, but were virtual strangers, and the grandkids? Would they remember him? On their birthdays, his secretary mailed them cards and money, then Christmas gifts of her choosing. But he seldom saw them. He'd never been able to get their names straight anyway. Should I call a minister, he wondered? He hadn't been to church since his wedding day. And who would he call? What would he say? Was he a Baptist or a Buddhist? He hadn't a clue. Surprisingly, his children were devastated when they heard the news. For the first time, they saw their dad cry, and heard words he'd never spoken. I love you. An old friend, now a minister, called.

2:03Could they go out for breakfast? The next day, after steak and eggs, Ed and his wife booked tickets to Mexico. It was Ed's last Christmas. It would be his best. He went hang gliding. He watched the grandkids frolic in the surf. They buried him up to his neck and sand, and thankfully pulled him out. I was in horrible pain from the tests they did, Ed told me. But those were the two best weeks of my life. The Bible came alive. He hung on to Isaiah 41, for I hold you by your right hand, I, the Lord your God, and I say to you, don't be afraid, I am here to help you. I found that help and hope, even in this. How would your life change if you received Ed's diagnosis? Would you make something right? Health is a gift to be sure, but redemption is a gift we dare not miss opening. Back home, Ed went to see the doctor. He was ushered into the office very quickly. The doctor's face was snowball white. Ed, I don't know how to tell you this, but we, we got the files mixed up.

3:04You're healthy as a horse. Ed sat dead still. He didn't move. He was wide eyed. And then he started to laugh. You're expecting a lawsuit, aren't you, doc? Yes, stammered the doctor. Doctor, until your diagnosis, I was a workaholic, said Ed. The only thing I valued was money. Because of you, I made things right with God, and I reconciled with my wife. Because of your diagnosis, my kids have forgiven me, and I know my grandchildren's names now. We're going to church again. I love Jesus. I've never been more alive in my life. Now, doctors don't experience all that many hugs from patients, but this patient couldn't help himself. The worst news I ever received turned out to be the best thing I could have heard. Thank you, thank you, said Ed. I didn't start living until I found out I was dying.