My Cancer Journey Continues

Dear Family and Friends,


I want to begin by thanking all of you for your loving prayers, wonderful meals, and precious cards during these last months. I do not know how anyone could make it through a severe illness without the support of families and friends.

I am writing this to you about my cancer journey. First, let me say that I am clinging more than ever to Romans 15:13, “May the God of Hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him that you may overflow with Hope through the Power of the Holy Spirit.” I have a wonderful Doctor (Dr. Phillips) who reminds me at each visit that he consults with God about the treatment of his patients. So while I have confidence in the skill of this Godly man, I still proclaim that my Hope is in God.

My surgery in November went well and the doctor was able to remove a tumor that led to the diagnosis of Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma. I went through six weeks of daily radiation treatments at the Harrington Cancer Center under the care of Dr. Stafford. God blessed me by providing wonderful professional who took me through the treatments with tender care. At each step of the journey, I have not been afraid because my faith remains unshaken. For I know the same Savior who controls the wind and the waves has my life in His hands (Mark 4:35-40).

On each step of this journey, I have prayed that I would not have to undergo Chemotherapy, mainly due to the memories I have of my mother’s chemotherapy treatments many years ago. I confess to you that I did not want this leg of my journey and I have prayed asking God to spare me these treatments. For the first time in my life, I think I have a small understanding of Jesus’ prayer to let the cup pass from Him (Luke 22: 42). But, God has a different plan for me and so the next step of my journey will be six to eight months of Chemotherapy. I will receive the treatments in Lubbock every three weeks and will last six hours each time. During these months I will cling to Romans 5:1-5 knowing that my faith increases my hope.

So once again, I am asking you to pray for me and my family (James 5:13-16). Please pray for me on Monday, April 24th as the doctor implants the port for the Chemotherapy treatments. Please pray for travel safety as we will be going to Lubbock every three weeks. Please pray for my family as they care for me. Please pray for me as I endure the side effects of the Chemotherapy treatments, beginning Tuesday, April 25th. Please for me that I will regain my strength between treatments to be able to continue my daily activities.

I want to close by reaffirming to you that I have felt God’s presence at each leg of this journey. The most recent evidence comes in the form of the TAKS test. As many of you know, one of my jobs for BISD has been to coordinate the administration of the TAKS test at BMS. This is a time consuming job that takes an extreme amount of energy. This year, it was decided—long before anyone knew I was sick—to turn this responsibility over to the BMS Counselor. Next week is the “big” week of TAKS administration—there will be a test every day. I love the way God made provision for my illness and the beginning of Chemo treatments. There is no doubt in my mind, heart, or soul that God knew I would begin this difficult leg of my journey the same week as the “big” TAKS week.

To God be the Glory; Great things He has done; Great things He will do.