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A Deeper Faith On The Journey Through Cancer

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this writing to my husband, children, and my grandchildren. Also, to those who need or are seeking hope and a deeper faith in the one who can provide it. My desire is that Jesus Christ be lifted up and that the Father is glorified.

Introduction

There are many kinds of discrimination in our world, but there is one thing that does not discriminate. It does not care who you are, what part of the world you live, how much money you have, or about your gender or race.

It is one of the most dreaded word s that can be spoken in a doctor’s office about yourself or a family member.

I am referring to the C-word, a substitute for what many cannot bear to say: cancer.

The American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute among other notable organizations report statistics on how many will face this terrible disease, and the increases are staggering. As many as one in three people will deal with this life-altering diagnosis on some level. Apparently it is not a matter of if but when it will happen. How prepared are you, and how prepared can you be?

What happens to your faith if you are a child of God and you hear this word applied to you? Do you lose your faith, or does it become stronger?

At times you must feel your way through the journey of having cancer. I know because I took this journey not once but twice. The second time brought me to a deeper place in my faith. Thank you for looking on as I revisit my memories. I praise the one who was with me every second of the journey. My Savior, Jesus Christ, deserves all the glory for the outcome of this time in my life. Everyone is invited to share in the love of Christ.

Chapter 1

What I Learned the First Time

There I was, sitting in the room where I had sat annually for six years. The first time was not so great, and I would soon learn that this visit would not be either. I was reflecting on the first year. I had not expected the outcome of that day.

Women, if you have been through this, you know how it goes. You get your annual mammogram, and a medical professional tells you, “Don’t get dressed yet so we can check the pictures.” That first trip brought me to a lumpectomy with crystal-clear margins in 2006.

When you get a diagnosis of any disease, you Google, you study, and you research what makes it tick. You hope the research helps you understand what you can do or not do to make the disease go away and not return. That is exactly what I did. I am a Google girl, and I put in countless hours online. I studied what cancer is and what it does to the body. I received an education that I would not have chosen, but later I realized that it was a great gift.