Posted on this category page: Jehovah-Jireh
Today is the one year anniversary of my diagnosis with cancer. Our pastor taught recently about establishing memorials in our life as a means of remembering what God has done for us. As a memorial on this day I want to thank the Lord for the miraculous way he saved me from cancer.
I figure I had a tumor growing in my neck for at least 2 years. In spite of several doctor appointments for various things over that time, as well as numerous blood tests, this tumor went completely unnoticed. My thyroid tested normal every time bloodwork was run, but I know now it was not functioning normally because of certain skin and hair conditions I had had for quite some time.
At the beginning of last year, I received an email prayer request for a friend of a friend who had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Cancer had been my biggest fear for many years and I tended to distance myself from anyone who had it. I'm not sure why, I knew it wasn't "catchy." Anyway, my heart hurt for this young gal with 3 young children. I wanted to say a quick prayer for her and move on, but the Lord put a burden for her on my heart. I found myself anxious for updates and I prayed for her often. In March or April, I received an email link to a video testimony she gave about her experience but I was afraid to watch it -- I'm not sure why. The Lord compelled me to watch it anyway. As I watched it, I sobbed and praised God for what he was doing in her life.
In late April, I developed a dull sore throat. It was unlike anything I had experienced before. I was also having some pain in my jaw and had a swollen salivary gland. We were in between doctors because we had just switched insurance companies and I couldn't get in to see a doctor. One night I sat in my recliner in pain and upset. My husband had already been mobilized and I was home alone with the children. I was feeling my jaw when I remembered what the gal had said in her video testimony -- she was massaging her neck and felt a lump in her throat. I then began to palpate my throat. When I felt a sizable lump at the base of my throat, my stomach sunk and my heart raced. I called my husband, but he was unreachable. I called my sister-in-law next and she prayed with me.
Long story short, I had to be assertive to get into our new doctor's office sooner than scheduled. After that, I found myself in a whirlwind of tests and appointments. Within 2 weeks I had an ultrasound, biopsy, diagnosis, cat-scan, and surgery. There were so many little miracles along the way. One being that my husband was able to fly home and be with me for almost 3 weeks. Another being that the swollen salivary gland and jaw pain were completely unrelated to my thyroid and went away with antibiotics prescribed after surgery for a sinus infection. However, they were key in my finding the lump.
I am so grateful for what the Lord has done and continues to do. He has given me a new passion. He is saddened that we do not know how to eat. Our poor diet and lifestyle are the causes of so much illness and disease. He is teaching me how to improve my diet and lifestyle so I may in turn share what I'm learning with others over time. Thank you, Lord, for your grace. I need it every day!
