Aug. 28, 2008 - Cancer
I am a cancer survivor.
I had thyroid cancer in 2005. It's truly an amazing story of God's provision in how that cancer was found. Would you like hear my story?
I awoke one morning to realize that the peripheral vision in one eye was gone. It didn't worry me too much, I've had similar things happen before and I was told it is an ocular migraine. Whatever that is. So anyway, the day went on and it never came back. Another day passed, and I was starting to get anxious now. In the past this has never lasted for longer than an hour or two. On day 2, I called the eye doctor. I've had a retinal tear in the past also, so I wanted to make sure that hadn't happened again. It hadn't.
Well, I still couldn't see and I was getting worried. The eye doctor could find no reason for my (hopefully) temporary peripheral blindness. So I went to my family practitioner. I had been in for my yearly physical already and everything was fine. But since I was there he decided to do a quick check-up. While he was checking my neck, he stated that he felt "something", but not to worry about it. It's probably nothing, but I need to come back so he can check it out. But we wanted to figure out the vision thing first. He recommended I see a neurologist. I did, again everything was normal. There was no known physical reason for my vision to be impaired. After a week or two, my vision returned and things went back to normal.
That is, until I returned to my physician to check out the thing in my neck. He sent me for an ultrasound. That came back suspicious, so we scheduled a biopsy. (Talk about an unpleasant experience. Having tiny needles stuck in your throat. I can go the rest of my life without experiencing that again, thank you.) Obviously, that came back positive for thyroid cancer.
We then, set about making plans for surgery, I had a total thyroidectomy on April 15, 2005. In June, I underwent Radioactive Iodine treatment. That was interesting-I got to spend several days in a lead-lined hospital room where everything was covered in plastic and they came in with a geiger counter several times a day to measure my level of radio-activity. It was actually a quiet and restful couple of days. I spent a lot of time alone-just me and God.
I got to fully appreciate how He had His hand on this entire journey. I got to thank Him and worship Him, and acknowledge how He was in control. I realized that my losing my eyesight, was what God used to get me to the doctor. I had no other reason to go. He knew it would freak me out enough to do something. God knew all along that this cancer would come, and He knew all along how we were going to defeat it. I am thrilled to know that He takes such good care of me.
I know that He will take care of me this time too.
I found out on Monday that I have malignant melanoma.
I will be going on Thursday, September 4th for an excision. My prayer is that it has been found early and it will be successfully removed.
Again, I know God is in control. He and I have walked a similar road together in the past. We will walk this road together also. I'm going to enjoy the journey, I couldn't ask for a better traveling companion.
Again, I will thank Him, I will worship Him and I will acknowledge that He is in control.
I learned so much through my last cancer experience, and I welcome the lessons God has for me through this one. I know the Great Physician is handling my case and there is no one more qualified.
I began this post by saying that, "I am a cancer survivor."
I'll end by saying, "I will be a cancer survivor, again."
Comments
Aug. 28, 2008 - hi
Posted by byourlove1
So sorry to hear this but so impressed with how you are handling the news. Total comfort in knowing God is in control, how awesome and what a lesson to me! I will be keeping you in prayer my friend.
Angela
