I wasn’t sure if any of this was ever going to make it to the blog but when the Holy Spirit prompts I’m understanding it’s probably a wise choice to follow suit…
The beginning of September I felt a lump in my armpit area and wasted zero time having it checked out. The nurse practitioner I saw was on top of things and ordered blood tests and a mammogram which led to an ultrasound and biopsy.
When the results came back the next week I was asked to come into the clinic so they could go over them with me. In my typical-quirky-impatient-Alicia manner this was my response, “Oh man! Isn’t that not a good thing when you call me to come in and discuss results!? Can’t you just tell me over the phone first?”
A clear but gentle “no” followed, and within 20 minutes I learned (in person) the biopsy showed stage one breast cancer.
I’ve had several doctor appointments in the time since. They’ll remove the tumor and whatever necessary lymph nodes this Wednesday and then I’ll have radiation for a treatment plan.
It’s been awkward knowing when or if I should tell people because I’d strongly felt like Satan was whispering ‘if you tell people then you’re seeking attention, and it’s only stage one anyways.’
With a welcomed exchange, however, I’ve recently felt God’s nudging—‘don’t waste an opportunity for people to reach out to Me in prayer’…and I definitely want to be respectful of those who want to do just that.
God deserves the outreach of prayer and also the praise that it’s only stage one and the other blessings I’ve counted!
I’m thanking Him for this cancer being caught so early, for my husband’s amazing insurance that the kids and I got on just this year, for the caring doctors and nurses I’ve met so far and for God working in me in the area of patience—I’m finally grabbing onto that fruit of the spirit!! Patience has never come easy for me but I’m now noticing how valuable it is!
My journey in this is (looking) much shorter and milder than what so many others experience and while I’m thankful for an easier diagnosis than what could be, I also don’t want to miss the chance to grow from it either. I want to be mindful of others who are going through the same process or whose results are much more advanced and less tolerable.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and I’ll be the first to admit I’ve been guilty in the past at almost becoming passive in recognizing its public campaigns.
This disease can wreak havoc in people’s lives and now that I’m on this side I’m appreciating things I overlooked before like Breast Cancer Awareness artwork on some of the local business windows in our small town, and mammogram advertisements in news articles and magazines, and the encouragement to get checked because ‘early detection is best.’
I’m pouring out sensitive, direct prayers over those struggling with cancer of all kinds. Their families need lifted up in prayer also. No more of those generic “God, be with those who are dealing with sickness” prayers.
Sometimes you don’t realize the depth of another’s hardships until you walk in the trenches of a similar path.
It’s in the trench where your eyes need to be lifted—your hope fixed upward toward a way out. A Saving Grace—His name is Jesus. He leads and answers in His own perfect way but we must choose to trust and follow along with His plan.
None of us are immune to difficulty…whether it’s cancer, losing a loved one, relationship-conflict, financial hardship, whatever it might be—the trial may be different but the feelings we experience are relatable. Opening up and lifting one another up in prayer is a beautiful regimen offered from the Great Physician—let’s not miss the opportunity.
Sweet weekend blessings as always.❤️
For His Purpose 