My Story - Part two

Story for the Website

Five years on…..

Being Diagnosed with Breast Cancer the First time was tough and when the Cancer returns again, you know what to expect but that does not make it easier, it is actually in my opinion even tougher.
I was diagnosed with an invasive/ malignant cancer that was a local recurrence in the Chest wall, when the cancer comes back you feel afraid, as though your body has let you down.

Before my Cancer Recurrence, life appeared to be going well, I was working Full time, enjoying my educational courses, had received my Masters in Medical Science and things were okay.
Getting cancer again did not seem fair; it wasn’t fair that a disease I fought to destroy would come back. I wondered if I had the strength to go through it all again.

So what happened……..

One Sunday Morning, I felt impressed to check my mastectomy scar; I found a lump just above my mastectomy scar, which I was shocked and scared about. I remembered I was due to see another consultant for another medical problem in a weeks’ time. I decided to wait and let him review the lump. On the day of my clinic appointment to see the consultant, I was calm, relaxed and felt at peace. The consultant reviewed the lump and very promptly took me to see the Breast Cancer Surgeon. The Breast Cancer surgeon sent me for an urgent scan and I had a core cut biopsy.

The following week I returned to the Breast Clinic, to discover that the cancer had returned. It was a local recurrence and was described as an invasive malignancy. Further tests were undertaken such as a Computerised Tomography (CT) Scan and Bone Scan. The plan was to have Surgery to remove the Tumour and then chemotherapy or hormone therapy was to be commenced after surgery.
I prayed that I would not have to have chemotherapy. I knew that God was good and he had a plan and he had it all under control.
The Surgeon commented that the operation went well. Two weeks after the operation I was seen in clinic by the surgeon. The surgeon was pleased with everything and said that they would not be treating me with Chemotherapy, rather they would be treating me with hormone therapy for two years. I knew there and then that God had heard and answered my prayer.

When Cancer Returns, it may be difficult at first. Finding energy to undertake certain things can be difficult, especially if you are taking cancer medication. It is however important to try to continue to live life. Choose to live life. Ask God to help you live, ask him for strength and energy to help you get through.

Tips to help you through the journey

Crying is good, there is a time for tears, Crying can be therapeutic and be a part of the healing process, however don’t stay there in your tears and sadness, Give your tears to God.
Psalm 56: 8-10 says:
You number my wanderings;Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?
When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.
In God (I will praise His word, In the LORD (I will praise His word),
God cries with us and he is for us and feels our pain and hurt.
Try to not worry!! Which is easier to say than do, give all your cares, anxieties to God.
1 Peter 5:7 Reminds us of this: casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you

God has it all in his hands and he had allowed this to happen again, God is sovereign and he is still on the throne, he is an awesome God, who controls the universe and my life. Let him control your life.

Help others and pray for others, visit the sick, ring and comfort a sick person.
2 Corinthians 1:4 - who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Pray, Pray and Pray some more.
Always trust him.
He is Faithful, trust and stand on his promises. God has done many great things in my life, I must keep holding on to him, he is always there and I know he will never leave me nor forsake me. This experience has been tough, but I have loved spending time with Jesus, that I would not change this experience. His Ways are always perfect.

God allowed me to see the love of God manifested in many people. Some fasted and prayed for me.
Some Sent lovely gifts, Cooked for me, Sent flowers, cards, well wishes, emails, texts, my favourite chocolates, visited with me, spent time talking with me, came to the hospital with me for apptointments, and many other things. God has been very real in this experience. So Thank you to all who did something for me, I really appreciate it, I cannot name them all, because there has been such a lot. But thank you for showing your love and support.



Elvina L.S.Lee (2011) ©All rights reserved.