You don't want to miss this. November 23, 2023 Frank M. Ruff, Jr. 15th District Senate of Virginia  THE PATH LESS TAKEN   Dear John, As with most, when we hear the term ‘cancer’ in relation to ourselves or those we love, our minds lead us in many directions. The first is fear. Then the question arises, why? This is finally followed by acceptance. Most of us know that cancer is bad, all of us know someone who has died. We also know that cancer invades different parts of the body. Modern science has brought many advances in the fight against cancer, but few of us understand those advances. Every year we read about this breakthrough or that, never fully knowing who and how it affects folks. We only hope that those advances will continue quickly. They have been coming quicker. We should be proud of the research that is being done at Virginia Commonwealth University as well as at the University of Virginia, both have comprehensive cancer centers. Virgina is one of a handful of states that has more than one. GOD'S WILL BE DONE Regularly, many of us pray the Lord’s Prayer which calls for God’s will to be done. When I have been asked to pray for someone, the question in my mind is this: Am I asking God to forego his will and instead follow my will? Therefore, often when I make that prayer, it includes my expectation that God’s will shall be done. For only God knows what suffering may be involved and when we are better off joining him regardless of what those around us think is best for us. Thus, since I first learned of my situation, when people asked about praying for me, that is exactly what I requested – that his will be done.  UNDERSTANDING MY CANCER When first informed, I was told that one kidney would have to be removed along with a portion of my liver. The surgery would take about five hours. What the surgical team learned after the surgery began was that the main canal that God had created for our bodies that carries the needed nutrients from both kidneys to the liver was totally blocked. To put it in nonmedical terms, envision Interstate 95 taking most of the highway traffic north and south. With me, God’s will was for my body to take the less traveled path. He guided those nutrients through various paths to keep my body functioning even though that main canal could move nothing. This was something the surgeons had not expected. Therefore, after twelve hours of removing the cancer and seeing what God had made happen and that it was working for me, the surgeons said, “thank God”. They understood this was beyond them. I better understood that God is in control.  THANKS Thanks to all involved in the process of getting me the to the right people at the right time before my second kidney was engulfed in cancer. The well trained and caring staff at VCU, from the surgical team to the nursing staff, all comforted me. Thanks to all those in our communities, the numerous well-wishers who prayed for me and my family deserve equal thanks and appreciation for their help. The healing process will continue. Knowing so many who have shown their love and concern gives me strength to move forward. Thank you again.  WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! We love to hear from you! You can reach us at [email protected], 434-374-5129 or P.O. Box 332, Clarksville, VA 23927.  JOKE OF THE WEEK A Boeing 767 is on its way across the Atlantic. It flies consistently at 800 km/h at 30,000 feet. When suddenly a F-22 Airforce jet appears! The pilot of the fighter jet slows down, flies alongside the 767, and greets the pilot of the passenger plane by radio: "767, boring flight, isn’t it? Now have a look here!" He rolls his jet on its back, accelerates, breaks through the sound barrier, rises rapidly to a dizzying height, and then swoops down almost to sea level in a breathtaking dive. He loops back next to the 767 and asks: "Well, how was that?" The 767 pilot answers: "Very impressive but watch this!" The jet pilot watches the 767, but nothing happens. It continues to fly straight, at the same speed. After 15 minutes, the 767 pilot radioed, "Well, how was that?" Confused, the jet pilot asks, "What did you do?" The 767 pilot laughs and says: "I got up, stretched my legs, walked to the back of the aircraft to use the washroom, then got a cup of coffee and a chocolate fudge pastry." Warmest regards, Frank Frank M. Ruff, Jr. 15th District Senate of Virginia Authorized and paid for by Ruff for Senate   Visit our website Contribute to my campaign Sign up for my newsletter   Office of Senator Frank Ruff | P.O. Box 332, Clarksville, VA 23927 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!