How I've Changed from having Cancer this last year

Though it seems like years ago, it has only been six months since I was diagnosed with Stage 3c Ovarian Cancer. My cancer was so advanced that I was given just three months to live unless chemo treatments could stop it. I have always known that I had many allergies and chemical sensitivities and had serious chronic fatigue with my adrenal glands quitting for 15 years, but I had still expected to live another twenty years. Now, here I was in the hospital on my 71st birthday undergoing tests for cancer and having to face that I might soon be leaving my husband, family, and friends. When my little granddaughter drew pictures for me of her future family, I cried. My heart ached to continue to be with everyone.

These last six months have been filled by me with many prayers for the faith and strength to make it through four chemo treatments and ovarian cancer surgery. Instead of me focusing on helping others, I also came to rely on others prayers and support to help me face what I knew I must do. I was especially overwhelmed by all the love and care my husband gave me day after day. I have never felt so loved.

I have had some amazing experiences these last six months. As I felt myself begin anaphylactic shock during each of the three later chemo infusions, I felt the Lord holding me up. Yes, that is what it felt like. I had never felt His presence so strongly before. As I turned a bright red and struggled with breathing, I felt a calm assurance that all was going to be well. He gave me the peace and strength to tell the nurse to start the chemo again and the ability to safely complete it. He also helped me survive major surgery to remove the cancer in spite of all my allergies and sensitivities to medications and chemicals and when I was already exhausted from the cancer and chemo treatments.

A seeming lifetime ago just before I knew I had cancer, I had a strong impression that I was being given a chance to heal. Now, I can see that not only has the Lord helped me physically heal, but He has helped heal my heart so that I feel that I am loved. I have seen that He cares for me and can help me through anything- even cancer.  

(photo Dec 2021 enjoying being with two of my grandchildren)