For a long time I have prayed for cancer patients. I was attuned to those suffering from the disease. A few years ago this disease affected me personally and I was able to draw strength from the people praying for me. Here is my story...

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In March of 2002, during a self examination, I found a lump in my breast. When the word came that I had an aggressive form of cancer I felt as if a brick hit me head-on. My first response was disbelief, this could not be happening to me! I felt healthy, and this could not be real. My doctors would examine me and sympathetically tell me how sorry they were. I had a lumpectomy in late April. Pathology reports showed that the cancer was fast growing and had already spread to four lymph nodes. One week later I had a mastectomy.

Before my mastectomy my friends prayed & the elders of the church as a service of anointing, and the body of Christ surrounded me. Friends accompanied me to all the chemo treatments, we even had chemo parties! They were such a blessing to me and the other patients taking treatments at the same time. My family was so supportive. Van seemed to suffer the pain almost as much as I did. Our sons, daughter-in-law, and grandson brought much joy to me. Daniel, our youngest son, even gave me a buzz-cut when I lost my hair.

Just as I am finishing a year’s worth of chemo, my doctor found another tumor, this time in my throat. Several more tests confirmed another form of cancer separate from the breast cancer. This time it was thyroid cancer. I had my thyroid removed and then received radioactive iodine treatments to kill any cells that might have remained. One year later I received another iodine treatment, and now get good reports. The breast cancer and thyroid cancer are both cured. Praise the Lord!

Only my faith and God’s divine healing allowed me to be here today and reflect on what God brought me through.

Mary Sue participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life