Do Not Fear Cancer, For I Am With You

Today’s guest blogger is Nancy Childress sharing the story of her cancer journey. Nancy is a coworker and precious friend who exudes joy to all around her. Here are her encouraging words:

On February 28, 2018, I began experiencing increasing abdominal pain. I already knew I had gallstones, so I called the surgeon and was able to get an appointment THAT AFTERNOON. The surgeon scheduled me later that same evening to have my gallbladder removed. LATER THAT SAME EVENING – (yes, that same day – only God)!  My surgery was scheduled at Methodist Germantown Hospital because none of the surgery centers had an opening (My surgeon preferred using the surgery centers). That evening I was awakened in recovery with the surgeon saying he needed to talk to me about what he had found. I was not prepared for what he had to tell me…He then explained that when he was in the process of removing my gallbladder, he noticed my liver had multiple tumors on it. Thankfully, (God again) we were at the hospital because the surgeon was able to have a pathologist come into surgery and do a frozen section of a portion of my liver (pathologists are not at surgery centers). They knew right away it was cancer that had spread from somewhere else in my body. My husband was in Chicago on a business trip (this was supposed to be a quick outpatient procedure from which I would be returning home). Mike got on the last plane out of Chicago that evening and arrived around 2 am in Memphis. The next couple of days we were praying and patiently waiting on the final pathology reports (which is important to know for treatment). Mike and I were praying for peace and strength as we were dealing with this unexpected non-curable diagnosis of Stage IV breast cancer that had metastasized to my liver and both lungs. We had to tell our three children (16, 18 and 21) about my cancer, which was the hardest thing we have ever done. I can’t explain the presence of peace that surpassed all understanding (Philippians 4:7) that we had and continue to have to this day. God is so good! Even in cancer!  He walked with me through ever single step. It would take me all day to tell you all that God did for me in my breast cancer journey. He has given me strength that I never knew I had. I’ve always loved Isaiah 41:10, which says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” The night I was diagnosed, I found this verse in my Bible, and it spoke such truth to me that it became my new life verse. 

 I have learned to be thankful even when it is hard!  God is good, and He will take care of you regardless of what you are going through. To this day (almost 3 years later), I continue to have peace that is not understandable to my human brain. Daily I pray Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”