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'm Thankful for my Health Problems

Yes, that's what I said, I really am grateful for my health problems.That doesn't mean that I'm crazy, or that I really don't have any serious problems with my health. Actually, I have several spinal injuries, insulin resistance,  problems with my adrenal glands, and major allergies and chemical sensitivities. 

How can I say that I'm thankful for all these problems? Well, it's not that I enjoy suffering, and I certainly don't enjoy all the limitations, but I can appreciate the opportunities having poor health has given me.

Seeing good in a challenging experience

If you look closely at this photo, you will see that my husband's ear is bandaged. He has skin cancer and had to have part of his ear removed. When he came home from his surgery, I reacted to the medication they put on his incision and ended up living the next week in our garage and trailer. 

Though this was a challenging situation for us, it was also a good time. One of the special moments you see in this photo of my husband and little granddaughter as we spent a morning together. We were also able to enjoy having meals together out on our patio. It was so pleasant to sit together enjoying a soft warm evening as I listened to my husband read a fun story, instead of being inside like we usually are in the evenings. Now that I had to maintain a "social distance" from my husband, I came to appreciate far more how little things like a hug added to my life. 

Is it hard to live the commandments of God?

A lot of people seem to think that it is much easier to not live the commandments of God, than it is to live them. In the immediate moment, I definitely agree. It is always easier to "go with the flow", at least it is until you hit the rapids, or plunge down the waterfall. But, let's face it, who doesn't have rapids and even waterfalls in their life? Who would travel down a dangerous river completely ignoring the guidance of the seasoned guide?