I need to clarify my last paragraph. First off, like Danny, I don't believe God gave me or us cancer. The God in the bible wants to prosper us, loves us as his own children and never causes us harm.

There are darker forces "...prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8) who rule the earth and that's where things like tobacco, alcohol, drugs, addiction, MTBE, Love Canal, corporate greed, terrorism, pollution of the oceans and the air we breath, etc., and diseases like cancer come from.

I prayed for wisdom for my doctors (and myself to make the right decisions) constantly and trusted that God would heal me through them and I believe that He did. Most of them weren't Christians but so what, God can use anyone He wants for his good purpose.

Like Danny, I also had the close support of my wife, who loved me unconditionally throughout the ordeal, in spite of my self centered, nastiness at times, my own, and her own fears. I (we) also had the love, prayer, financial and personal support of my church family and anonymous people (within the church) who just came forward and just gave me thousands of dollars to pay for health insurance, etc.

I have outlived almost all of my birth family, so they were my "extended" family and have been for many years.
Incidentally, my sister, father and stepmother died from cancer. My mother had numerous major cancer surgeries.

I am not trying to start a religious debate here, only sharing my own very personal story of experience strength and hope. I am certainly not trying to preach or offend the non believers out there. Those of you out there who are persons of faith will know what I am talking about.

Also from 1 Peter:10-11 (NIV)

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you suffered a little while, will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen"