The Unexpected Journey

Our guest blogger, Debbie, has been missing in action around here for almost a year now. 

Like many of us in 2020, she's been on an unexpected journey. But Debbie's journey was different than the journey most of us have been on over the past several months. Her journey included not only all that COVID brought to our world, her journey also included that dreaded "C" word--cancer.

We all know someone who has been on the cancer journey. Maybe, you've even traveled that road yourself. The greatest thing to know is that as Christian women, as women of God, we know that we do not travel that road alone! Not only do we not travel the road alone, but God also gives us unique opportunities to share the road with those who come behind us. Today, Debbie shares that road with us in the first of a 3-part series--The Unexpected Journey.

This lovely Bible study, from The Daily Grace Co., traces the promises of God from Genesis to Revelation. It traces the story that God is writing through covenant promises to His children. This study walks through the story of Scripture through the lens of the covenants and reminds us that God has always been faithful and we can be confident that He will be faithful in our lives as well.

The Unexpected Journey

It was May and time for our family vacation to the beach. The weather was great and there was an endless beach to isolate our clan for the sake of COVID-19. Before the trip, I had gone to the doctor for some tummy troubles and was given some reflux medicine. However, by the end of our beach week, I was not able to splurge on vacation food. In fact, I was not able to eat much of anything.

​When we got home, I went for some blood tests and an ultrasound. I had no sooner returned from the appointment when I received a call from the doctor telling me to go to the ER as soon as I could. I was a bit puzzled as my husband drove me to the hospital. The pandemic regulations did not allow him to go in with me, so I went alone to get checked out, which included a CT scan. When the doctor came in to report the results he said, “It is not good, and it is very serious.” I asked if my husband could be brought in to hear what the doctor had to report as well. I knew it was something big because they did not hesitate to break the rules for him to join me. The doctor proceeded to explain that there was a cancerous mass in and around my pancreas. He showed us the scan images and pointed out the mass. Tears fell down my cheeks because I knew the fatal odds of pancreatic cancer.

Please understand that my tears were not because I did not trust God. My life was committed to God and His will long ago. I have trusted Him with my life, but now that death was a certain possibility...

• The thought of separation from loved ones brought sadness.
  
• What was ahead for me and my family brought sadness.
  
• Basically, fear of the unknown brought deep sadness.

God was in control—I knew that. I determined there in the ER that I would be a grateful, thankful patient, and trust God with everything.

I was admitted to the hospital, and things started happening fast. After several procedures and a biopsy, I was sent home. The tests showed my cancer was extremely aggressive, so my treatment would need to be extremely aggressive. Back to the hospital I went to begin chemotherapy, alone again. I kept busy with tests, procedures, and infusions. Two days in I started feeling anxious from the meds, being alone, and all things cancer. My family came to the courtyard so I could see them from a distance. I played Christian music and read my Bible for comfort. Finally, I was released to go home.

This was the beginning of six infusions scheduled three weeks apart. The week of chemo included prednisone, so there was energy enough to get through it. In the second week, the white blood cell count would go incredibly low, and along with it my energy. The third week was supposed to be a good week to get ready for the next chemo infusion. However, my third week always seemed to have a surprise sickness or weakness.

I never blamed God for my cancer, but I never dreamed I would be a cancer patient. Hours, days, and months were spent on a pallet on the couch. Although I did not always have concentration ability, I read devotionals and stayed in the Word. It seemed I prayed continually. I was encouraged by the love and support of my family, my church people, and other friends.

And so, the unexpected journey began. Would I be able to trust God with what was ahead?

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11

Would you be able to trust God with what was ahead? Join us here next Tuesday for Faith Over Fear in My Unexpected Journey. 

You may also be interested in 12 Letters I Wrote to a Friend With Cancer.

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