Three Strikes and Not Out - Ruth Doran
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Submitted by: Ruth Doran
I remember, as if it were yesterday, my first cancer diagnosis. I lost my mother to colon cancer when I was a child. The possibility of contracting the disease myself was not something that ever crossed my mind; until my own children were nearing the age at which I lost my mom.
I was scheduled for my very first mammogram. I had heard horror stories about this being a painful test. I was honestly quite nervous. The test itself wasn’t nearly as bad as I had expected. It was the doctor’s call that had me a wreck! He saw something and had scheduled me for further testing.
Sure enough, it was cancer! My mind was reeling! Would I be leaving my children as my own mom had left me? I was picturing my own funeral! That’s when I knew that I had to do as my mother had said before she passed. I had to keep God in my windshield and let him keep a hand on my shoulder. Okay, I can be strong. I can do this. God would be there with me.
I had surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. Luckily, it had been caught early enough, was small and had not spread. I needed only a few rounds of radiation. Praise God! I would survive and be there for my kids! My faith grew stronger.
Fast forward ten years, and again I was faced with a diagnoses of breast cancer (in my other breast). Knowing that I had been faithful in having my annual mammogram; how bad could it be? It turned out to be a very aggressive and fast-growing cancer this time. I underwent sixteen rounds of chemotherapy and thirty-five rounds of radiation. I lost every hair on my body along with the feeling in my hands and feet. A small price to pay compared to what Jesus suffered to save us! I was able to stay strong knowing that God was with me. He allowed me to keep smiling.
I was very fortunate to be able to keep my daycare open and running due to the extreme kindness and generosity of friends. Over the sixteen weeks of chemo, eight wonderful friends each took two turns to come and stay with the children.
My kind and understanding doctor arranged a schedule for Thursday afternoons. I was able to pray with the little ones, serve lunch and tuck them all in for naps before going each week. My loving husband left work each week to be with me for chemo. It was harder on him than on me, I think. I would return home to check the homework of the older kids who had returned on their buses. Thank you, God for the gift of these wonderful friends and doctors!
Each week I felt fine until Friday evening. I was sick as a dog and totally wiped out from Friday evening until Monday morning each week. God’s timing was perfect. I was up, smiling and ready when the children arrived each Monday morning.
After the chemotherapy, came thirty-five radiation treatments. These were less time consuming and a walk in the park, compared with chemo. My dear friends, once again watched the little ones. I was actually back each day before naps were over. God’s timing once again!
Once treatments were completed, my oncologist told me that I was one of only two of his patients to have survived that aggressive type of cancer. I had prayed through treatment for strength. I wanted those around me, especially the children, to see that cancer was not a death sentence. God can pull us through anything IF we ask in faith and truly believe! My doctors said that through me, their faith had grown. That’s our mission!
It is now two years later. I notice that I am having some spotting when urinating. I get right on the phone to mt doctor. Sure enough, it is cancer again. Perhaps the third time is the charm, I think to myself. This time it is endometrial cancer caused by medication I had been prescribed to keep the breast cancer at bay. Only one in ten thousand women have had this result. I joked that I had always been an over achiever!
I needed a full hysterectomy to remove the cancer. I came through with flying colors and needed no additional treatment! They had gotten all of the cancer.
I knew that God was using me to teach others the power of faith and prayer. When people ask me why God would allow me to go through cancer three times; I joke that he knew that I would be good at it! I then remind them of the power of our God!
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
Psalms 18: 6
Psalms 33: 20-22
Psalms 138: 3