Cyndi's Story:

On the day my husband was diagnosed with cancer we began a journey that would change us forever. I have heard others say that the most difficult part of this journey is the diagnosis and the period immediately following. Based on my experience thus far, I heartily concur. I was overwhelmed with information, bombarded with opinions, and terrified by the prospect of what lay ahead. When the initial shock of diagnosis passed, I then faced the probability that I would lose my husband within the year to the uninvited and unwelcome disease that had come barging into our happy life.

Later in Jim’s recovery and in talking to other patients and their families, I learned that the role of the caretaker to a seriously ill person has problems different from, but equally as serious as, those of the patient. I think the patient is somewhat protected, incidentally and intentionally, at the beginning of the battle. Often he is too ill to understand or deal with the problems that must be faced, or he may be in a drug-induced stupor following surgery or treatment. The people he comes in contact with do their best to shield him from worrisome details. There were times when I wished I could drink the Dilaudid from his i.v. tube, crawl into the bed next to him, and awaken when it was all over. When believers face death they may say they are at peace, ready to meet their Savior. However, the spouse is not going to be included in that meeting. I was terrified at the thought of spending the rest of my life without my husband.

Fortunately, I was a believer and I turned to God in desperation.  I “called to Him and He answered me and showed me great and mighty things which I knewest not.”  For the first time I really understood, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (II Corinthians 12:9). God held me in the palm of His hand and guided me every step of the way.

God led me to a place of acceptance, calmed my fears, and showed me that He would never forsake me. As the lyricist says in one of my favorite hymns says, “When you find that I am all you have, you’ll find I’m all you need.”

Jim's Story:

Jim, this is Dr. Weir. I’m sorry to inform you that your biopsy confirms that your tumor is cancerous.” I will never forget when and where I was when I received that phone call. I found myself in a storm of confusion, grief, and dismay.

As the storms from lung cancer passed and I was enjoying the sunsets, I found myself in a new storm. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After consulting with my oncologist I had a radical prostatectomy—more doctors, more down time, more recovery. Then I remembered an analogy someone shared with me about a parade. While we only see what part of the parade is before us, God sees the entire parade start to finish. I cannot tell you how many men I have been able to encourage and witness to because of prostate cancer.  My prayer was that God would use this illness to His glory and once again He proved faithful in answering.

Through my battle with cancer I have learned what the “blessed life” is: All my tomorrows have already passed through Jesus. Whatever awaits me is first encountered by Him. While there have been moments of struggle, these storms have brought me closer to my Lord and Savior. When difficulties arise, it is so that I may learn to trust Him completely, to trust and not be afraid. I hope my experience will help others find the peace that I have found I am reminded of a quote by L.B. Cowman from Streams in the Desert, “…it is through my mental and emotional struggles that I am being trained to tutor others who are being tossed by the storm.”