Keep Moving Forward
The morning of my surgery I saw my general surgeon who diagnosed me and spent once a week with me for a year. I had asked God not to let me just be a number to my doctors but let us be friends. He was an answered prayer. Another prayer I used early on was for me not to waste the cancer. Eleven years later that same doctor saw me when I was going in for surgery but we did not get to chat. When I went in for my next surgery he saw me and came in and talked with Mike and I and then prayed with us.
This is the doctor who gave me my "stage" the day after I was diagnosed. He read scripture to me, prayed with me and then quoted James 5: 14-15, "Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven." My mentor, friend and pastor, Margaret, did just that and I believe that is when I was healed. This is the doctor who prayed over my ultrasound, with Mom and Mike asking God not to let Mom bury her child. The day before my surgery, he asked if I had told my girls I might die. He was very bold in his beliefs and I always knew he would be honest with me.
Eleven years later he prayed and thanked God for the "big event" in my life that had been used in a mighty way. He also asked God to let me off of this carousel that I have been on for a while. Let this be the last surgery. His prayer was so beautiful and when he was finished I told him, "you know lots of blessings have come from this journey." His response was that for the last ten years he has heard my name. He said through calling, texting, writing or being a friend I had made a difference and brought glory to God. I was beyond humbled and I still can't believe God can use sinful me! How can I not share what God has done in my life for other's who need hope? Three people I know (one through a friend) were diagnosed with breast cancer this month. God certainly is using that time for me to encourage others and bring Him glory. I can look back but I keep moving forward! Thanks be to God!