The "C" Word

   The word, "CANCER" to Baby Boomers, members of the Silent Generation and the G.I. Generation in years gone by was almost as a sure death sentence.  But, Thank God (literally) times have change and advancements have been made in medicine.

   After surgery, Cindy (my wife) was prescribed HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).  She heard and read that HRT could be related to breast cancer.  The longer she took HRT, the more concerned she became.  She and I both checked her for lumps often.  She made sure that she had mamograms as often as recommended.  Finally, the worry reached a point that she asked her gynecologist about discontinuing the treatment.  He suggested that she discontinue for a while and see how her body would respond.  At first, she did well. But as time past, maybe a year, her symtoms became as though she should return to the therapy and face the possible risks.

     She visited gynecologist, Dr. Shepard to discuss writing a prescription to place her back on HRT.  Thank God for a good doctor that did not only consult with her and get out the prescription pad.  He gave her an examination.  His examination discovered a lump that she and I had both missed.   His office scheduled a biopsy to be performed by one of Huntsville's most skilled surgeons, his son, the younger Dr. Shepard.

     The biopsy yelded bad news, the lump was malignant.  When I got the news, my world shattered.  I was distraught to the point that I could not pray.  I could not think clearly.  Inwardly, I threw the world's biggest pitty party.  But yet, I had to be strong and put up a front as being positive for Cindy and our two sons. How could I do that?

      Cindy appeared to accept the news with much more bravery than I did.  I thought that my faith and trust in God was strong...but it wasn't.  As the Music Director of a local Baptist Church, I always begin each service with an upbeat congregational responsive exercise of "God is Good, All The Time.  All The Time, God is Good."  That first Sunday was so difficult to lead that exercise.  I stood with a lump in my throat, a knot in my stomach, a worry on my mind and a broken heart.  I tearfully led the exercise with a cracking voice.  It took all that I could muster to make it through that service.

      During those darkened days, Our Church Family was extraordinarily supportive and my prayer time increased.  The surgery went well.  Doctor Shepherd was almost 100% sure that he removed all the cancerous tissue.  But to make sure, Cindy went through radiation treatments.  The radiation got more and more difficult for her with each visit.  The final days of treatment were most painful, but by God's Grace, she made it.

      Since then, she has kept 6 month follow-up visits with her oncologist.  He said that if she went 5 years without any re-occurence, it would be reasonable to declare her cancer free.

     Today, Cindy made her 5 year visit.  We now can claim that she is cancer free.  We thank God for his Grace, our supportive family, Church family, friends and our good medical folks in Huntsville, AL.

     We are now supporters of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and participate in the annual Cancer Walk for the Cure.   We cautiously take detected lumps serious and periodic mamograms are a must.

     Looking back, even during those trying times, I can still say, "God is Good All the Time, All The Time God is Good! 

      You may be reading this and going through the same storm...or maybe your storm is much worse.  It doesn't matter the trial, there is still hope and God is still in charge.