You Don’t Have To Settle For Second Best!

This is my experience with my husband who was diagnosed with cancer…

The day Mike went into hospital to have his tests done, was normal like any other day. After his tests were completed, he told the children and myself that it was just an ulcer. He looked normal and cheerful, with no indication that something could be wrong.

Much later in the day, after speaking with our pastor, he advised Mike to speak to the family about his diagnosis. It was late afternoon when Mike came home with all my favourite cakes. He called our family into our bedroom. (With our family around, our home was buzzing with activity. So, it did not register as odd on why he wants to speak to us in our bedroom.)

I was so caught up with the chatter of my children that I didn’t take notice of what Mike was doing. He handed me the box of goodies and then placed all the photos of his scan on our bed. I still didn’t think this was odd behaviour, I thought it’s just pictures of his ulcer. This was one time I was completely blindsided. Then Mike began to speak and I heard the words ‘colon cancer’.

At first, I was in disbelief, but as his words began to sink in, I felt as though the rug had been pulled from beneath me. It was a huge blow to me! A feeling of utter despair and hopelessness took over my being. So many different thoughts began to race through my mind. I couldn’t think rationally.

I could only think of the worst-case scenario, and that’s losing the love of my life. Nothing ever seemed normal after that. The box of goodies had no appeal to me anymore. Everything was just left aside as this feeling overtook my entire being. Suddenly everything was just a blur; it was as though I was functioning in a daze. My heart raced, my limbs felt weak and I felt so utterly and completely devastated.

I was a Christian from birth. I grew up trusting and believing in God. As I grew older, I began to experience more of God. As my understanding of the Almighty grew, my love and faith in Him also grew. Over the years I was and still am involved in the ministry.

Mike and I have helped, motivated and encouraged a lot of people in need or who were in some form of crises. But for me in that moment, upon hearing this devastating news, everything went out the window. Where was my faith? What was I thinking? Why all the negative thoughts? The enemy, in that moment, tried to rob me of my faith and everything I knew and loved about my God. Note: I said he tried to rob me. The enemy tried, but inside of me, the God I believe in, was greater than any fear and greater than any despair. Each one of us is given a measure of faith and that faith began to rise up within me.

The help and support of close family, my pastor and his dear wife was so comforting during this time. Mike’s surgery was scheduled as soon as possible. There was no time to waste. In the preceding days of the operation, I felt empty, helpless, uncertain, not sure what the future held for me and my family. At the same time, I needed to put on a brave front for our children.

Mike always referred to me as the Pillar in our home, holding our family together. So, against all odds, I had to be that pillar even in times of weakness. In times like this, you realise how important family is. Mike’s immediate family and a few of my family members who knew about this health situation, were such a strong support to me. I coveted their prayers and drew strength from their love and concern.

Our families united together as we prayed for God’s hand over Mike; we prayed for a miracle. The night before Mike’s operation, our pastor visited and brought with him bottles of anointed olive oil. He prayed over Mike and my family and then asked me to apply all of the oil over Mike, which I did.

In the course of this emotional roller coaster, our pastor said to me, “Do not stress! If I tell you not to stress, I mean not to stress for I have taken this upon myself and Mike will be fine.” Those words were such a comfort to me and my family. That night, after I anointed Mike with the oil, for the first time after hearing this devastating news, I felt total peace and calmness come over me. I knew then that everything was going to be well because God was in control.

All praise and glory be to God for guiding the hands of the surgeon and for a successful operation. A few hours after the surgery, Mike’s cousin who works at the same hospital, allowed him to call me from her mobile phone. I felt such unspeakable joy upon hearing Mike’s voice and was truly grateful. Not long afterwards, the surgeon himself called and told me that the operation was a great success.

It was truly amazing to see Mike’s speedy recovery. In the weeks that followed, he underwent chemotherapy and radiation. Mike was strong during this treatment with no side effects. All glory be to God! A few weeks later, Mike had to undergo more tests to see if there were any cancer cells present. Praise be to God; he was declared cancer-free!

Isaiah 43:2 NIV says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” https://biblehub.com/isaiah/43-2.htm

Annette S.