Carried Through Cancer: Five Stories of FaithSample

Sandy remembers walking to Mary’s house in the morning to see her off to first grade and waiting excitedly at the end of the day for Mary to come back home.

That was seven decades ago.

Now, Mary, a retired nurse, goes along with Sandy to every oncology appointment to get results after Sandy’s regular scans. “We grew up together. We went to school together. And now she is just a really special friend through cancer. Even the nurses on the oncology floor love our friendship.”

Sandy was diagnosed with metastatic (Stage 4) ovarian cancer in 2020. The cancer had spread to her rectal area before it was discovered. Since undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, she has thankfully been what the cancer world calls NED (No Evidence of Disease), but she gets checked regularly, as do all cancer patients who’ve been diagnosed with later-stage cancer. And Mary is a gift God has given her to help her have peace at those appointments.

Mary is not just a source of comfort, but a vessel of medical knowledge who knows just the right questions to ask. Sandy is beyond grateful to have her lifelong friend to support her at these appointments, but Jesus has been her ultimate source of comfort and she regularly turns to Scripture when the fear tries to drag her down.

Focusing on believing God when unbelief and doubt push their way into her mind has grounded her on the hard days.

In Mark 11, the disciple talks about our need to believe when we ask God for things, so Sandy has focused on turning her mind toward belief when fear and doubt creep in.

“That’s not to say that the cancer is not going to come back just because I believe. I know it always can. But I guess I know I’m in God’s hands no matter what. That’s the main thing. Believing I am in his hands.”

Part of believing that God is holding her through this is reminding herself of how blessed she is. How even in cancer, she has so much that many people throughout the world do not. From access to medical care, to loving family and friends, to an online community of people who pray her through each scan day, Sandy sees God at work.

And she maybe sees him most clearly in the face of a dear friend who has been in her life through many ups and downs since they met as little girls in a small town in the Midwest.

“I know you don’t need a good luck charm when you have God, but if I did, Mary would be mine.”

Prayer: Dear Father, Thank you for the blessing of old friends. Thank you for using people in my life to remind me that you care for me and that your plan, though it might not be what I want, is always best. Help me to believe and trust when doubt and fear try to derail me. Amen.

Reflection: Has God provided a friend or mentor for you through cancer? Consider ways that he has proved himself steadfast and worthy of believing in, even when life’s circumstances are hard. Reach out to someone who has cared for you through cancer and tell them how meaningful they have been.

Thank you for reading!

This plan was adapted from Carried Through Cancer by author Kim Harms. Click here to learn more or purchase your copy.