My mom, Wanda, was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in December 2012. Due to family history and personal feelings about cancer, she opted to have a bilateral mastectomy even though cancer was only found in one breast. She had surgery on January 15, and they removed both breasts along with 5 lymph nodes. We received a report that the removed lymph nodes did NOT contain any cancer, which was such a welcome report and answer to many prayers. I was with my mom the day she found out she needed a biopsy on her breast and possibly the lymph nodes, and as she would probably agree with, she basically had herself buried and her funeral over by the time we left the doctor’s office that day. I have to admit, there were times I kind of thought the same. My limited knowledge of cancer tells me that cancer in the lymph nodes is bad. It can easily spread once in the lymph nodes and is hard to remove. So the lymph node biopsy report of no cancer was such a relief!
She is about two and a half weeks post surgery now and doing pretty good. She’s still sore, doesn’t have her full range of motion and quickness back yet, and tires easily, but overall is doing pretty good. She and my dad will meet with a medical oncologist next Tuesday to discuss what, if any, further treatment is needed. We are praying that no chemotherapy will be needed given the good biopsy report, but there is still a possibility it is needed.
Given all that has been going on in our family from November 27, 2012 up until now, my ears perked up in chapel Tuesday morning when he explained his topic for the day. I jotted down a few notes and wanted to share them here...paraphrased in “Libby language,” if you will. :) There’s so much more to this message than what I have below and it was really good, so I encourage you to watch it by clicking here.
The sermon, titled Facing Illness, is based off of this story from 2 Kings 20:1-7
Hezekiah’s Illness
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”
Then Isaiah said, “Prepare a poultice of figs.” They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered.
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”
Then Isaiah said, “Prepare a poultice of figs.” They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered.
How to face an illness:
1. Tell God How You Feel
After Hezekiah heard he was going to die, he turned his face to God and prayed. He didn’t turn to Isaiah. He didn’t turn to his friends. He didn’t turn to his family. He didn’t turn to a support group. He didn’t turn to anything else but God. This is good advice for ANY circumstance in your life. Tell God how you feel because he already knows it and it won’t be offended by you telling him how you feel. God is the main source to your help and he wants to help. It might be hard, but don’t focus more on your illness than on God. It’s okay to think about your illness, but don’t take your eyes off God.
2. Seek Medical Treatment
Hezekiah was told by God to prepare a poultice of figs which would serve as a healing for him. The healing wasn’t instant and sometimes healing doesn’t come here on earth, but God asked him to seek something out for healing. God told him to get help, to get treatment for his illness. Just because you take medicine or see several specialists for your illness does not mean you lack faith. But, remember that medicine should not take the place of prayer. You need both – medicine and prayer.
3. Celebrate the Life God Does Give You
After Hezekiah was healed God told him he had 15 years left to live. That would be hard to hear the exact amount of time you had left to live, but God doesn't want us to focus on that. He wants us to focus on life now and life it to the fullest now. Life is a gift from God and each day should be treated as such and celebrated. Don’t worry about how much longer you have to live here on earth, because in reality, anyone who is completely healthy could be gone at any minute due to a car accident or some unexpected tragedy. Cherish each day. Live out your faith in good and bad times. Remember, your life is not your own and God’s grace is sufficient for you.
4. Learn How to Find Ways to Grow Through Your Suffering
Use this time to grow closer to Christ, to your family, to others facing what you are facing. Suffering is temporary so keep it in perspective. It’s part of the package no matter when it happens. Remember, some struggles are God’s way of freeing us from the “stuff” in our lives.
How to Treat Others Who Are Sick
If you’re like me, you sometimes don’t know what to say to someone who has been diagnosed with cancer or has a terminal illness. I’m afraid to talk about it because what if the other person doesn’t want to or it upsets them, and then what do you say? Saying “I’m sorry” seems too trite sometimes. Here are some tips on how to handle a situation like this:
1. Look at the Person, Not the Sickness
Your friend or family member is still the same person, just has a different circumstance now. Don’t treat them differently or look at them funny. Just treat them like you normally would.
2. Don’t Play Doctor or God
Don’t act like you know everything about their situation, even if you’ve experienced the same kind of illness they have. Everybody is different and no single person experiences the same exact situation when dealing with an illness. Keep your medical opinions to yourself! And don’t go all scriptural and Christianese on them, either. It’s okay to share a Bible verse but don’t act like you are holier than they are.
3. Offer Emotional Support
Sometimes all that’s needed is a listening ear or a hug.
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