We all have seasons in life that are just tough. December 2015, was one of those seasons for us. On the 8th my sweet daddy passed away after a long, difficult illness. In mid-December, we flew to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to meet with nerve specialists regarding an issue with my shoulder. Then in late December a chest x-ray revealed a tumor in my lung.
The revelation of the tumor was a blessing in a way. You see I had suffered with a chronic cough for years. The earliest documented doctor's visit was in 2004, when some tiny nodules were detected but too small to biopsy and eventually dismissed. I followed up with various doctors and had tests and treatments with hopes of discovering the source of the cough which often took my breath, kept me awake at night and was embarrassing. We pled for God’s healing touch and he graciously led us into our trust walk through cancer, together, hand-in-hand with him.
We started the new year with renewed hope. God had met us at our point of need and revealed the hidden source…a slow-growing neuroendocrine carcinoid tumor in my right lung. God provided a skilled surgeon who removed the middle lobe and resected the lower lobe of my lung in order to remove all of the cancerous tumor.
I remember the nights in the hospital right after surgery. When everyone went home and I was alone, I played Christian music to drown out the noise but also to calm my spirit and soothe my soul. There were so many unknowns. I still had a cough, in fact, the doctor wanted me to! What? But the days were filled with walking to clear the fluids and build strength. My coach even had me climbing stairs (if a little is good, more is better, right?).
Many were the sweet faces that popped into my room to pray over us and bring cheer. It was a sweet time; surreal, but our faith never wavered. God revealed the problem, gave us wisdom and provided a cure.
Once home, the pathology came back stage 2 atypical, a more aggressive type of cells. NO chemotherapy or radiation were required. Follow up scans have been stable and it seems unlikely another tumor will form; I have experienced the healing touch of our Lord. So we continue to walk by faith in the one who knows. “I will give you back your health and heal your wounds, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 30:17
How blessed I am to have a strong warrior husband who took my hand, never left my side, met with the doctors and prayed with me through the many decisions. “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT
Sherry and Alan became friends in high school. Over time and distance, they rekindled their friendship and married in 1978. They have two children with loving mates and nine grandchildren, all living here in the Port City. They have enjoyed teaching and mentoring young married couples and sustain many of those relationships today.
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