Welcome!
My name is Kathy. I am a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Est/Progest+ HER2- in 2017. I underwent bi-lateral mastectomy, chemo and radiation. In 2018 I was diagnosed with Non-small-cell lung cancer with EGFR gene mutation exon 19 deletion. I have had no recurrence of breast cancer but am currently being treated for NSCLC for the second time. I have been told that I will have to stay on treatment the rest of my life. (we will see).
This has been quite a journey. In the beginning it was very frightening and unsettling as anyone dealing with cancer will attest. However,I had an experience that changed my life forever and my perspective on cancer.
In the week between the discovery of the lump and the scheduled biopsy I was driving to work. I had so many questions running through my mind. Will I get to see my grandchildren graduate and get married and have families of their own? What about my new husband? We had only been together not quite 4 years, just starting life together. What will happen to him if I die? What about my children? How will they cope with this? I was waiting for the light to change at the intersection I was stopped at, when suddenly like a mirror came down in front of my eyes. I looked into the mirror and standing behind me was Jesus. He wrapped his arms around me (I could literally feel them), he laid his cheek on top of my head and said ” Don’t worry, I am here, you will be fine”. Immediately, the fear left me. His image is burned into my memory. I can still see his eyes that I can only describe as pure love. I still get teary eyed when recalling that encounter.
Once I had the biopsy and it was confirmed that indeed, it was cancer, I met with my oncologist. Through a very good friend of my daughter, who is like another child from another mother, I was able to get into appointments quickly. My oncologist explained my options. At the time, a more aggressive approach was recommended for that particular cancer. My husband asked him if there was a chance that I could die from the treatment. He said there was a 20% chance of my dying. I asked him if it was his mother, wife or daughter, what would he recommend. He said he would probably go with the recommended treatment but he asked him he could get back with me on that. The next morning I was sitting at my make-up table, again with questions. I asked Jesus to help me make a decision. I was so torn. (My husband had sobbed on the way home from the doctor’s office). Less than 30 minutes later my oncologist called and said after doing some research he recommended the less aggressive treatment. He said that women receiving this treatment faired better in the long run, stayed healthier and lived longer. Another example of divine intervention. Praise Jesus!
As much as I hate this disease in its many forms, I believe Jesus in his infinite wisdom, has allowed me to take this journey for a reason. I believe it is to help others who are having the same experience and to also tell you that Jesus Christ is alive. He wants you to be healthy and whole and that he is with you every step of the way. I hope you will contact me so I can pray for you. Eventually I will have resources for you to go to. I especially would like to reach those that have no support system and who feel lost and hopeless. There is hope. For me, I absolutely refuse to let cancer take me. I refuse to die from cancer. I will go when my Heavenly Father calls me home at the appointed time. By the way, I never refer to the cancer as MY cancer. As far as I am concerned it was/is a alien trying to invade my body. I even gave the tumors a name: Audrey ( the man-eating venus fly trap from Little Shop Of Horrors), and Audrey 2.
I would love to hear your story, your experiences and how your journey has impacted your life.