It was a sunny, cold Saturday morning at our home, when the telephone rang. That was nothing unusual for the telephone to ring since it was close to the Christmas holiday and we were expecting company. But when I heard the voice on the other side of the line say, “This is Doctor Allyson,” I was a bit nervous and a bit confused. After all, what doctor will call his or her patient at home on a Saturday? After brief greetings, she informed me the reason for her call - to give me the results of my breast biopsy done previously in her office. I didn’t realize that my husband was also nervous and he asked to get on the second telephone line to hear what she had to say.
“I’m sorry but the results show that it was malignant!” were the doctor’s words. At the moment, I completely forgot the difference between benign or malignant. Did I have cancer or not? As the doctor explained the findings, I found myself thinking that we were talking about someone else. I believe it is a mechanism of defense when we go into a denial mode. That is okay, as long as you don’t stay in the denial mode.
After we hung the telephone, we sat on the couch of our living room with a million dollar view of the San Francisco bay, held each other and cried, and cried. God was also weeping with us. You see, one is never sure of the outcome of cancer. It could be terminal or it could be caught at an early stage. It depends on the kind of cancer, how far it has spread and many other factors.
How can we prepare for the news of cancer? There is no written formula to prepare us for any bad news except the Word of God. Because we live in a fallen world, decaying with sin, we will always be faced with “bad news.” How did I deal with it?
I am grateful for the extraordinary support of my husband, family, and church. There were several things that helped me death with this ordeal.
PRAYER – I learned to pray and asked for others’ prayers. God was preparing me because before receiving the “news,” I had been with a group of women who prayed for me and assured me of their continued prayer regardless of my results. I read other books and information on cancer in order to understand the disease better.
FELLOWSHIP – All women need other women. That is the way God made us. I was not alone in this. I joined the local chapter of Breast Cancer Survivors and/or Patients and enjoyed being part of the annual fundraiser gala where I served as a model. When I relocated, I started a support group through a local hospital. As soon as I mention that I am an 11-year cancer survivor, I get an audience that can relate. (And if there are no groups in your community, start your own encouragement group)
KNOW YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER – I learned many things from God during my time of recuperation. I kept a diary as I read and studied His Word. I learned to pray His Word back to Him as praise and as my petition.
MINISTER – The best thing I can do with my experience is to minister to others for this is God’s will (2Cor. 1:3-4). Ministering to others changes the focus from me and I seldom have time to ask, “Why me?” I served as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and that brought me many blessings.
I find a great truth and teaching in the following paraphrased verse. “I am God’s witness and his servant, whom He has chosen. The reason He has chosen me is so that I will know Him, believe Him and understand Him.” (Ish. 42: 10).
Book Recommendation: Getting Better, Not Bitter by Brenda Ladon, New Hope Publishers. Order online: www.wmustore.com
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