During the month of October we are sharing stories from women whose lives and experiences have been shaped by a breast cancer diagnosis. We hope these stories will help provide comfort and courage to others whose lives have been touched by cancer.

In December 1990, I was relaxing in bed when I called our daughter to let her know that Joe (her dad) had arrived safely in Guinea, South America. He had traveled there to help a group of people along the Essequibo River to become self-supporting. Rolling over I realized that there was a large lump in my left breast. Ringing a nurse friend right away, she advised me to get a doctor’s appointment immediately. Following her advise, I was able to get an appointment quickly in Springfield, IL, not far from the country church where I was serving as pastor.

The doctor said that he would perform a needle biopsy to which I responded that was good and asked when to return. “Right now,” was his answer. “Oh, my! I drove here by myself” thinking that somebody ought to be with me at least to drive me back to the parsonage. He said that I’d be okay then left to get the needle.

One look at that 16-foot-long needle, I quickly asked that he wait a minute as I was my own pastor and wanted to pray. Praying for him, the nurse, my family, and myself, I tried to hold back a tear when I saw the attending nurse wiping tears from her eyes. Not long after that, the doctor said that I needed surgery immediately and proceeded to make the appointment.

Driving home, I knew that I must call our two grown children and at least leave a message for my husband who was located in an area where there was no phone service. Both kids were such a blessing and ready to be there with me to do whatever they could plus our churches were praying.

Miracle or coincidence?  Joe realized that a particular part was needed for tractor repair and told the fellas working along side him that he would take the boat back to Georgetown to purchase that part. My message was waiting for him. Joe was able to get an immediate flight back home arriving just a few hours before my mastectomy.

Chemotherapy followed for many months … NOT a fun time of my life, yet a good time. Good doctor, good medical staff, great family and friends, and a marvelous God! Joe needed to be away from our cottage for several days, both kids were back at their homes and jobs, and I was doing okay by myself until one of many nights I could NOT sleep. I felt so alone! While looking out our cottage windows I was trying to locate the moon and stars yet all I could see was pitch dark. Tears streaming down my face when I felt an inner voice reminding me of a promise given years ago to a wandering people as recorded in the Old Testament,”…. I will never leave you nor forsake you.” I was NOT alone!  My God was there all the time.

Since that time, I have experienced colon cancer twice. The Regional Cancer Center at Sarah Bush Lincoln has become my home away from home. I had surgery twice and chemotherapy following both times. What have I found? The greatest medical team anybody could ever imagine! Plus, a grand host of cohorts fighting to survive cancer. I dearly love my medical team, my family and friends, and my buddies who sat nearby understanding to the fullest what side effects are all about plus the fight to survive.

I serve as a volunteer at the Cancer Center and Volunteer Chaplain with Lincolnland Hospice. Often I am asked if I am a patient or a volunteer today PLUS if I like spending time with dying people. The thumb in my back is to hopefully encourage others to give this fight for life all they’ve got PLUS there is somebody out there who really understands and cares. No, I do not enjoy watching people die; yet I do appreciate God’s gift of life, and that forever, I do believe.

For those going through chemotherapy, my suggestion is to munch a little something nutritious every 2 to 3 hours plus to drink lots of water even more often. Why? I figure as that chemo drug is flowing through my system I’m gonna help flush out that poisonous drug while hoping and praying to give my healthy cells all the fight for my life which I can muster! You see, it is MORE than Survival, it is Thruvival: thriving to let others know that they are important: life is most precious, both now and forever!