Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6
My cancer journey began in April 2007.
I had accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior in my late twenties and knew my salvation was sealed forever (Revelation 3:5). However, I made a choice to walk away from Him following a painful divorce in my thirties. Ten years passed, and then, one night, God got my full attention. He told me that I had breast cancer and pinpointed the exact location, which was later confirmed by an MRI.
I didn’t want to think about the possibility of having cancer, yet I knew that it is not the character of God to operate in fear, but rather in Love (1 John 4:18). I also remembered, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12: 11) I know now that this was God’s divine intervention in my life. Three weeks later I felt the lump and knew I had cancer. I’m not suggesting that cancer will happen because we are disobedient. I believe that disease is a part of living in a fallen world. I do believe God used cancer in my life in order to restore me to Him.
My diagnosis was in. I had stage III breast cancer. Then I experienced a series of MRIs, biopsies, PET scans, and the sinking reality that I might die. What was ahead?
I was really scared and needed hope, so I returned to church where I was welcomed back with loving arms. To experience God’s mercy and forgiveness through friends at church was a comfort and a blessing beyond description! I saw another prayer answered when my neighbor told me about Cancer Comfort Ministry. There I experienced compassion and understanding as only those who have had cancer can share.
The first treatment was chemotherapy to shrink my aggressive tumor, and I lost my hair! This process took about a month while nausea set in as well. My naturopath suggested I try ginger for the nausea and it worked! I just love that God has provided for us in His creation. After enduring 26 weeks of chemotherapy, I got a break over Christmas. January came and surgery was upon me. Follow-up tests revealed that I had a complete pathological response to the chemo and surgery. No live cancer remained! Prayers had been answered, and I was determined to finish this marathon. Next on the plan was radiation. Despite knowing that I may develop side effects of lymphedema as well radiation fibrosis, I went ahead with radiation, due to the aggressiveness of my cancer
I'm happy to say I finished all treatment on March 29th, 2008 and I’m cancer free! I have to go in every 4 months for tests with my medical oncologist. I do live with the pain and discomfort of lymphedema and radiation fibrosis, but my life with the Lord has been fully restored. He is greater than all the collateral damage, and I know that one day I will be in heaven with Him, free of all pain and home at last.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 6 & 7