LIVING WITH CANCER AND THE FEAR OF CANCER RETURNING
Hello! My name is fear. I offer suffocation and physical pain. I will cripple your faith and you will be useless to yourself and others. These are the words of the devil, but Jesus says “I am the Truth and the Way. Your faith and strength come from me. Do not be afraid.”
If I can help one person by sharing my experience with fear these last few months of heavy hearted physical pain and devastating fear, it will be worth the story. I am a breast cancer survivor. Most of know how horrific the treatments can be, so I need not go into specifics. But those of us who have had cancer live with the fear of the cancer returning—it just hangs over us. Over the Christmas holidays I was going through several tests for the possibility of a return of cancer to my body. As I faced my worst nightmare, fear began to show its crippling effects.
Then came the results: a large mass in the abdomen and a compromised liver. It was not what I wanted to hear! As I waited for results of tests, fear engulfed me. I was unable to tell my immediate family as I didn’t want to worry them until I had confirmed results. Prayer was definitely needed, and I thank God for our prayer warriors, and my Life Group.
Hello! My name is fear. I offer suffocation and physical pain. I will cripple your faith and you will be useless to yourself and others. These are the words of the devil, but Jesus says “I am the Truth and the Way. Your faith and strength come from me. Do not be afraid.”
If I can help one person by sharing my experience with fear these last few months of heavy hearted physical pain and devastating fear, it will be worth the story. I am a breast cancer survivor. Most of know how horrific the treatments can be, so I need not go into specifics. But those of us who have had cancer live with the fear of the cancer returning—it just hangs over us. Over the Christmas holidays I was going through several tests for the possibility of a return of cancer to my body. As I faced my worst nightmare, fear began to show its crippling effects.
Then came the results: a large mass in the abdomen and a compromised liver. It was not what I wanted to hear! As I waited for results of tests, fear engulfed me. I was unable to tell my immediate family as I didn’t want to worry them until I had confirmed results. Prayer was definitely needed, and I thank God for our prayer warriors, and my Life Group.
Once prayer began, my heavy heart immediately was released. What did I fear but fear itself? I didn’t fear death, for I knew I would be with my Lord. I feared treatment and losing my family. Prayer became my solace, and family and friends joined me in prayer. We prayed for good results, but also that if the cancer had returned that God would see me through this all the way, for our God never leaves us, but lead us tenderly through the difficulties of life.
When darkness and fear cloud us, we forget that our God is perfect and will guide us through if we let Him. Because He lives we can face tomorrow and fear will be gone. Jesus said that all things are possible for those who believe (Mark 9:23).
And then the results — all praise to God — cancer free!! Thank you, first to God, who stands with me, and to family and friends for ongoing prayer support.
Never give up, He will be your strength if you let Him. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Good bye, fear!
When darkness and fear cloud us, we forget that our God is perfect and will guide us through if we let Him. Because He lives we can face tomorrow and fear will be gone. Jesus said that all things are possible for those who believe (Mark 9:23).
And then the results — all praise to God — cancer free!! Thank you, first to God, who stands with me, and to family and friends for ongoing prayer support.
Never give up, He will be your strength if you let Him. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Good bye, fear!
- Margaret
Comments
Post a Comment