Today, Tuesday, November 20 is the 5 year anniversary of the day my life changed. Five years ago, I walked into the ER with what I thought was a hernia that would need surgical repair. When I walked out of the hospital 8 days later, not only had they repaired the hernia but due to a mass in my pelvic region, they also did a complete hysterectomy. A month later, I sat in the office of the gynecologic oncologist who removed the mass, etc. and was told ..... you have Ovarian Cancer!
Over the past 5 years, I have had a total of 12 rounds of chemo, countless CT scans & blood tests, a medical drain, a PET scan, endless doctor appointments, CA125 numbers that have been all over the charts, hundreds of treatment/maintenance pills (Tamoxifen), and lost my hair - twice.
But also over the past 5 years, I've had countless prayers said on my behalf, hundreds of cards and messages of encouragement, and been prayed over & anointed with oil.
Through this journey, God has been showing me his faithfulness. He keeps reminding me that even though I don't know why this happened to me, that He is guiding my steps and He is in control of my life.
One word keeps popping up over the past 5 years and that is .... JOY! The dictionary defines joy as, "the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires." Look up happiness, it says about the same thing. So why be joyful??? Over the past 5 years, there have been more mass shootings, more political unrest, more racial tension, more sexual misconduct, more poverty, and more hatred. There has also been more floods, fires, tornadoes, blizzards, and heat waves. This life we live can become so depressing ... one bad news story after another.
That's why we need JOY. Not just your standard run of the mill joy, we need the JOY of the LORD!!! The Bible tells us to serve with joy, sing for joy, the joy of the Lord is your strength, joy comes in the morning, and shout for joy. We should make a joyful noise. It states, those who plan peace have joy, and a joyful heart is good medicine. We should also take joy in the God of your salvation, enter into the joy of your master, and there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. He also wants His joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full, and to pray with joy. Don't forget, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy.... We are coming up to Christmas - when they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy, and fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy.
There's a whole lot of JOY in Bible. How about you??? Is there a whole lot of JOY in your life??? I know things aren't always great. Life sometimes stinks. There are relationship problems, family problems, financial problems, employment problems, health problems, and the list goes on and on. God never promised an easy life when you trust Him, he says in John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” If that doesn't bring you joy, I don't know what will.
My journey is not over after 5 years. As far as I know, I am NED, (No Evidence of Disease), not cancer-free. I will continue taking the Tamoxifen for the next couple of years and deal with a few side effects. And what happens after that ... Only God knows!!! And I'm okay with that!!!
My next doctor appointment is Tuesday, December 11. Of course, I'll have to get blood work before that and hopefully, they will be able to find a vein that is willing to cooperate. At my last appointment, my CA125 went down -- from 40 to 38!!! YEAH!!! Please continue to pray for a lower CA125 number.
In this season, be thankful, be grateful, be blessed, but most of all .... BE JOYFUL!!!!!
Enjoy this song by King & Country.
Only by His Strength,
Sandy
Over the past 5 years, I have had a total of 12 rounds of chemo, countless CT scans & blood tests, a medical drain, a PET scan, endless doctor appointments, CA125 numbers that have been all over the charts, hundreds of treatment/maintenance pills (Tamoxifen), and lost my hair - twice.
But also over the past 5 years, I've had countless prayers said on my behalf, hundreds of cards and messages of encouragement, and been prayed over & anointed with oil.
Through this journey, God has been showing me his faithfulness. He keeps reminding me that even though I don't know why this happened to me, that He is guiding my steps and He is in control of my life.
One word keeps popping up over the past 5 years and that is .... JOY! The dictionary defines joy as, "the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires." Look up happiness, it says about the same thing. So why be joyful??? Over the past 5 years, there have been more mass shootings, more political unrest, more racial tension, more sexual misconduct, more poverty, and more hatred. There has also been more floods, fires, tornadoes, blizzards, and heat waves. This life we live can become so depressing ... one bad news story after another.
That's why we need JOY. Not just your standard run of the mill joy, we need the JOY of the LORD!!! The Bible tells us to serve with joy, sing for joy, the joy of the Lord is your strength, joy comes in the morning, and shout for joy. We should make a joyful noise. It states, those who plan peace have joy, and a joyful heart is good medicine. We should also take joy in the God of your salvation, enter into the joy of your master, and there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. He also wants His joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full, and to pray with joy. Don't forget, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy.... We are coming up to Christmas - when they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy, and fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy.
There's a whole lot of JOY in Bible. How about you??? Is there a whole lot of JOY in your life??? I know things aren't always great. Life sometimes stinks. There are relationship problems, family problems, financial problems, employment problems, health problems, and the list goes on and on. God never promised an easy life when you trust Him, he says in John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” If that doesn't bring you joy, I don't know what will.
My journey is not over after 5 years. As far as I know, I am NED, (No Evidence of Disease), not cancer-free. I will continue taking the Tamoxifen for the next couple of years and deal with a few side effects. And what happens after that ... Only God knows!!! And I'm okay with that!!!
My next doctor appointment is Tuesday, December 11. Of course, I'll have to get blood work before that and hopefully, they will be able to find a vein that is willing to cooperate. At my last appointment, my CA125 went down -- from 40 to 38!!! YEAH!!! Please continue to pray for a lower CA125 number.
In this season, be thankful, be grateful, be blessed, but most of all .... BE JOYFUL!!!!!
Enjoy this song by King & Country.
Only by His Strength,
Sandy
