I stand in awe of my benevolent Father God, who brought great treasure for me along with the fear and struggle of an unknown path this year. I am not sure I can adequately communicate what an amazing experience I have had all because of breast cancer.

My first symptom appeared in January, but I didn't get the diagnosis until mid-March. The earliest surgeon's appointment was interestingly timed-one day before Cy left for the only missions trip he would participate in for the whole year (late March)! We were told surgery could wait until his return, and so we both felt the trip could be carried out, and waited until after his return to begin making decisions.

Some of my warmest memories are of the relationships developed with our "insurance alternative", Christian Care MediShare. We immediately began a phone dialogue with MediShare physicians who helped us sort out the huge volume of info we instantly received from all the specialists I was seeing. Many phone calls later, and after several appointments with excellent surgeons, I had surgeries in May to get rid of the cancer and to check the lymph nodes (which were negative!). These were day surgeries, and I recovered quickly and in time for something very special. I applied and was approved by Medi-Share to attend an 18 day program at Eden Valley Lifestyle Center in Loveland, CO, along with Cy, all expenses paid. The purpose of sending a member is to raise the immune system, teach the 8 natural laws of health, and learn healthy lifestyle choices (including a strong exercise program and a delicious plant based diet cooking classes too). Since we are applying all this teaching, Christian Care ministry expects that the whole family can avoid more health problems as we age.

After returning from Eden Valley, I began 6 weeks of radiation. The decision to do this was an ordeal in itself, since I was considering advice from both traditional and alternative doctors. In the end we made one decision (not feeling sure about its "rightness", but praying that God would show us if it was the wrong choice). He (God) very clearly corrected us one hour later (that's another story and a special memory), and so I began radiation the next week. Each day as I traveled to my early morning five-minute appointment, I would purposely put myself into God's hands, praying and memorizing scripture verses as I drove and then as I lay on the treatment table for the painless 2-3 minutes of radiation. Out in the parking lot before leaving, I enjoyed a few more quiet moments, where, each day I knew I was being pursued and sheltered by God himself. These, perhaps, are the deepest, warmest memories of my entire life and I'm tearful just thinking about His nearness and His commitment to my good. Physically, I was feeling more energetic and refreshed than before surgery!

<< PREVIOUS TESTIMONIAL  |   NEXT TESTIMONIAL >>