From the wise words of Solomon, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecc. 3:1) And later in verses 3-4,

“A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.” 

For me, it’s a time to heal and a time to dance. I know it might sound strange to do both simultaneously, but that’s exactly what’s happening. After fighting stage 4 ovarian cancer for ten months, I received the BEST news:

All glory to Jesus—I AM IN REMISSION!

Sporting some new hair growth!

I’m not sure that I can express how grateful I am to be alive because there was a point where  

I knew that I was dying. 

It started back in January of this year when a trip to the emergency room and a subsequent CT scan showed a large mass on both ovaries. In only a few weeks, cancer metastasized and quickly spread to the lymph nodes of my stomach, filling my abdomen with fluid, as well as around my lungs. The left lung also had cancer nodules. 

Let me be clear, the odds of survival according to statistics were not in my favor (read more about it in the post “What Are The Odds?”). In fact, unfortunately, I know of two women with the same diagnosis that died recently—one was a woman younger than me at church who left behind a husband and three children still living at home. Please pray for this family.

The dire diagnosis thrust me into the most difficult trial I have ever faced in my life. I realized immediately, I had a decision to make: trust God or give in to the fear that was seeking to pull me under.

I choose to place my hope in God and His plans for my life.

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

I choose to look at the trial with cancer as an opportunity to grow.

And boy, oh, boy, did I grow closer to the Father. Never have I felt the presence of the Lord more closely than during the past months as He walked me through the valley of the shadow of death. As I’ve shared before, there were some dark days where I struggled to maintain my hope. But when I invited God into my fear, His perfect love pushed it out, leaving me with peace and revitalized hope that indeed

With God, all things are possible!

And now just in time to celebrate my daughter, Charity’s wedding this Saturday, I am cancer-free!

Charity and her fiancé, Matt.

This is indeed a time to dance!

Thank you, dear readers, for your prayers and encouragement throughout this journey. Of course, it’s not over. I am still undergoing care from my two oncologists. I must take a daily medication to “keep cancer at bay.” I am still experiencing the nasty side effects of memory issues and neuropathy from the chemotherapy. I am hopeful with time, I will regain full use of my feet and hands.

 

 

 

Much love and blessings,

Stay tuned! After Charity’s wedding, I will be working on my next book “Suffering Well: A Warrior’s Handbook to Overcome Life’s Obstacles.” I am soooo excited about this book! Not only will I share about my cancer journey, but I will include some amazing stories of others who have faced trials and came out victorious through faith in Jesus. The book will also help readers learn to use God’s amazing spiritual power to resist the enemy. Each chapter will conclude an applicable tangible takeaways section. 

I’d love to hear from you! Please include prayer requests and comments below, or feel free to email me.

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