Ten Years Ago

Ten years ago this week I found out that I had breast cancer. I remember the details of those few hours so clearly: the hot, sunny day; who babysat my girls while I was gone; the car I drove to my appointment; laying on the exam table while an ultrasound was done; talking with my GYN.


Then just a few minutes later, seeing another doctor for a biopsy; waiting for results while realizing what was happening with me; the look on another woman waiting for her biopsy results; the first wave of panic thoughts; giving everything to God. Another visit with my GYN as he explained the next steps to take; returning home; calling my friend Laura; calling Germany to find Greg - who was away on a trip; talking with Greg; and then finally going to  bed.

Ten years ago.

Ten years ago, life was suspended as we oriented ourselves to what it meant to have breast cancer. We ran into God's presence immediately with tangible care from family members and friends from many countries.


My story has those scary, hard, and uncomfortable parts to it, but God's generous, kind, and specific care is much greater. In fact, I just read over an old email I sent out just 2 weeks after finding out I had cancer. Here is a small portion: 


“The Wonderful and Beautiful things God has done” is much longer than the list of “this is what’s happened in the last 2 ½ weeks”.


Some of those things were our Polish pastor drove us back and forth to Warsaw to get a second opinion; a new friend who worked in an oncology clinic talked us through basic breast cancer treatments which helped us decide which country to have treatment. Within a few days God provided funding and air flights (at a great price too). Quick oncology appointments and treatment, a very kind surgeon, veteran cancer patients to guide me along the way, loving family to care and provide for us, homes to live in, cars to drive, an amazing church to stand with us the entire time, loving friends. So much more.

I am ten years cancer free. 

"This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases (we are not cut off), his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:21-24

This verse has been used in many songs and hymns. "Great is Thy Faithfulness" is one of my favorite hymns which became dear to me when I was a teen and a new believer. Throughout my life thus far, I have always experienced God's faithfulness to me. This 10 year anniversary post cancer is another example of God's faithfulness to me.