MY DIAGNOSIS:
Let me start by saying that no matter how bad things may seem, God is always working things out. Some call that optimism, I call it faith and at the tender age of 36 my faith was put to the test. There I was, nursing my one-year old daughter, when I realized that there was a lump in my breast. At first, I thought that it must be the milk. I waited a week or so, certain that the lump would dissolve but when it didn’t I took precautionary measures and I made an appointment with my physician. I was sent for an ultrasound and mammogram. The doctor came in the room with a nurse and said, “Mrs. Lewis your ultrasound looks suspicious for Cancer”. The nurse put her arm around me and asked, “Are you ok?” I said, “Yes, God is in control”. They both looked at me like I was crazy. I guess that’s not the most common reaction, but I know the God that I serve. Moments later I was taken in another room for a biopsy. I must admit, waiting days for the results was a little stressful. I think it was the concern of my family or maybe it was the constant phone calls and reassurances that “everything’s going to be fine”.
THE MOMENT THAT CHANGED MY LIFE:
The moment that changed my life: October 28, 2008. I was in the shopping center at Winn Dixie and my phone rang. When I answered it, it was the doctor calling from Memorial West. She said “Mrs. Lewis”, I said, “yes”, “the test came back conclusive it is breast cancer”. I said to her, “Everything is in God hands”. She replied, “Mrs. Lewis you are in our prayers”. After hanging up my phone I looked up with tears in my eyes and faith in my heart and said, “God you said in everything give thanks and though I’m afflicted I give you praise. This battle is not mine, praise God”. I put my phone in my purse and continued shopping.
THE PROCESS:
About a week later I went in to see my oncologist. At that time, I was informed of my treatment. I went through six months of chemotherapy followed by six weeks of radiation, a mastectomy and six months after the mastectomy I had reconstructive surgery. I did 6 months of chemotherapy and never got sick one day. I watched so many people in the Cancer center on the same drug experience bad reactions. I told the nurse not to administer my medication until I prayed over it. And every day I would take my medication and I would pray, “God this is your blood going in to my body for purification, sanctification and not to make me ill, Praise God”.
My reconstruction surgery was hell to pay for. The day after my reconstruction surgery, the doctor came in and told me I had a hematoma and that he needed to take me back into surgery. I was at my lowest, and so devastated but I had to muster up the strength to do the only thing I knew would work, I began to call upon God. “You said trust you God, I trust you. I lifted my faith like I’ve never lift it before”. I began to speak over my life, “Praise God, the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his by your stripes we are healed. I been through the valley of the shadow of death and I fear no evil because, I know that God is with me”.
WHAT BREAST CANCER TAUGHT ME:
How you conduct yourself in your problem will determine how quick God will deliver you. We are asked at time to validate what we believe, and Cancer did that for me it may have challenged my faith, but it also validated my faith. I knew that to get well, I needed to keep my eyes on God. God is always the winner and in all challenges. Through it all I learned to trust in Jesus.
After experiencing my own battle with breast cancer I was moved with compassion and founded God is Bigger Than Cancer Foundation Inc. A breast cancer organization, helping woman in the fight against this devastating disease. My dream is to touch as many lives as possible by supporting, encouraging, educating and bring awareness. I will continue to share my story hoping that it will bring awareness to as many women as possible.