The day started like any other day. Children awake earlier than I like, cheerios spilled under the table, books scattered by the couch, a stack of bills at my desk.  Then the phone rang.  “Mrs. Montgmery, the test results came back and the doctor saw something that he didn’t like.  You need to schedule an ultrasound to see if there is cancer on your Thyroid.”

Excuse me.  Did you say Cancer?

“Yes, Mrs. Montgomery.  The Dr would like you to schedule an ultrasound immediately.  He can see you in 2 weeks.  Please have the ultrasound before then.” In the space of 2 minutes, my entire world changed. What is the scariest word you never want to be said to you?

Cancer – the one word that sends fear through my body

Well if I’m honest, cancer and lice – but for completely different reasons.  Today I want to share a story with you – a true story of my year – that I pray will bring God glory… All the Glory. If you were part of the HopeJoyInChrist community last year you may remember me sharing that my health has been poor.  So many of you have been praying for me and for our family – thank you so much! Early this year I received a diagnosis and sighed a breath of relief to know the name of my problem.

James 5:16  Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

I have an Auto-Immune Disease called Hashimoto Thyroiditis

We began treatment, but the doctor was full of trepidation – my bloodwork bothered him.  The numbers were too high here, too low there.  Other symptoms didn’t fit the diagnosis.  He went on about things being Progressive and Aggressive -and I left his office terrified if I’m honest. I’ve met others since then who seemed confused by his response and the way he was going to treat this diagnosis.  I am not a medical person and all I know to do is follow the Doctors advice, listen to the doctor and do as I’m told. After an Ultrasound, I received another phone call. “Mrs. Montgomery, the ultrasound revealed a nodule is growing on the goiter at your Thyroid.  The doctor is concerned with its placement and size and wants to biopsy the nodule to see if it is cancerous.”

Cancer is a Crisis that Requires Prayer

You know I am a woman of prayer.  But I was terrified to even whisper this word – Cancer – to my prayer partners.  I couldn’t believe there was even a chance of cancer in my body.  I’ve always been healthy and taken care of myself (except for the potato chips and ice cream I love). I was afraid to ask for prayer for so many reasons.  Admitting it would be accepting it and I refused to accept that I could have cancer.  I also worried about the girls finding out and being scared.  But my husband pushed me here – insisting it could not be true but needed prayer.

• So I asked prayer
  • from my most trusted prayer warriors.
• I fasted and prayed harder…
  • if any of you wondered about the series on Fasting – now you know my purpose behind digging deeper there.
    • How To Fast in A Way that Pleases God.
    • Some of What Not to do’s while Fasting.
    • What we can expect before during and after the fast is over.
    • The Scary Truth About my First Fast
    • How to Not Fail at a Fast from Facebook
• The elders of the church anointed me with oil and prayed
  • Quite surprisingly there was a special service for those who needed healing.  I say surprisingly, but God knew and had a plan!  He is so faithful!

Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Through the Praying and Fear, God was whispering

Do you trust me? Do you trust me with cancer? Can I really have every part of your life? There are things you haven’t given to me.  I see you holding tightly to your finances.  Will you trust me with everything Tiffany?

Does God ever whisper things to you?

He is gentle and compassionate and so patient, isn’t He?  But He is also jealous, persistent and insistent in surrender.  Surrendering all. There were days I sent Bud and the kids to church without me… just to have some time alone with God to cry and scream and plead. Why cancer?  Please heal me.  What do you want to teach me in this season?  Can’t we have an easy season?  Please give me rest.  Yes, I trust You.  If you say Cancer I trust You to take me through it… to hold my family though it… to be bigger than Cancer… 

The word Cancer makes you think of another word… death

I’m not 40 yet and I haven’t thought of death being so near.  Of course we are not promised tomorrow but still, I count on it coming each day.

• I depend on another day to teach my girls about Jesus whom I love.
• A new day is a new chance to grow in my marriage.
• There are ministry things to do here with you.

The thought that I might not live to see my girls grow up, marry and start families of their own shook me.  I have so much left to teach them – so much I want them to know.  Can you relate? Have I done my best with the time I’ve had with them?  Do they have a solid foundation with their Faith?  Do they know they are loved? Have I truly invested in my marriage?  Did I do enough to show him love in a way that honors God?  Or did I take for granted the time we would have? I try to live interruptable, but this Summer I set everything aside to spend with my family. We played more games, went on walks every day, took our first vacation in 5 years, watched cartoons and laughed together… Why don’t we live like that every day?  

Do you need some encouragement to keep pressing into that Daily Commitment?  

We could all use a community to help us in Reclaiming Hope & Joy in our marriages! We just finished a 31 day Series to help us Reclaim Hope & Joy in Marriage by Intentionally Investing in our Biblical Wifehood. Get the articles Free in this downloadable e-Book.  We also have a Private Facebook group to let us connect – Wives only.

It took the fear of Cancer to give me a New Way to Look at Life

Cancer or no cancer – Tomorrow is not promised.  It sounds cliche to say Live like you are dying… but wow it changes so much. My Family is more important than a project or anything else online – I spend way too much time on my phone! Social Media is powerfully addicting and needs limits in my life. We should prioritize fun and laughter…  less worry over bills and replacing windows.

A Cancer Miracle to give God Glory

Some well-meaning family and friends – who were praying fiercely – kept insisting I seek a 2nd opinion.  It took a few months to pick a new doctor but we settled on an older practice in a different network and began the process of waiting for an opening.  Praying praying praying. We’ve just been in to meet the new doctor and talk about the past year.

“What brings you to our practice, Mrs. Montgomery?  You are on the right medicine and your numbers look like they are correcting.” “The doctor said there is cancer.  You are my 2nd opinion.”

A hush came over the room as the doctor reread my chart history.  Re-read it. Read part of it out loud.  Scribbled things.  Stepped out into the hallway.

“We have an ultrasound machine in the next room that is available.  I’d like to look at the nodule today.”

We walked the hallway in silence.  He did the entire procedure himself – shocking to me.  I literally felt tremors of fear coursing through my entire body.  Cold gel, discomfort as the machine beeped and clicked.  He measured, noted things, hmmm’ed and re-checked.

“I’m done.  You can sit up.”

Drying off my neck and readjusting my glasses – I sat trying to steady my nerves as he finished up some notations on my chart.

“You have a cystic nodule.  It has not changed in size or position.  This is very common for your condition.  The nodule is very small and does not appear cancerous.  In 95% of all cases with thyroid nodules, they are benign and not threatening.  I see nothing to suggest cancer.”

Silence. Relief.

“So you are saying I don’t have cancer?”

“We can recheck the nodule in a year, but you do not present with any signs of cancer Mrs. Montgomery.  You still have a long road ahead as you adjust to the medication for your Auto-Immune condition.  I recommend rest while your body adjusts.  We will monitor blood levels and call you but I would confidently say you do not have Cancer.”

Does God still perform Miracles?

As I drove home I praised God for this amazing news.  No Cancer.  There is no Cancer.  I do not have cancer.  It doesn’t matter how I say it I still well up with tears of Joy. At home, I was met with joy and hugs.  Tears and reflection.  Was there ever cancer?  Did the 1st doctor make a mistake?  Was he motivated badly?  Or did God step in and heal what was there? I don’t know the answer.  I believe we serve a God who is bigger than any sickness we face.  He still performs Miracles. Whatever the reality of my situation God was bigger and stronger and worked this out. I am still sick.  He didn’t take the Hashimoto’s Disease away.  I still struggle with PTSD and Anxiety.  But Praise God there is no Cancer! Do you need God to move in a big way in your life?  Have you taken your need to Him in prayer?  Has there been fasting?  Have you asked others to join you in prayer?   Joy has been the word God is pressing into my life this year.  Check out what that’s looked like here at How To Cling to The Joy of The Lord Every Day! I’d love to give you a Free 30 day’s of Joy Reading Plan to help you focus on Him this month. I don’t believe in a magic formula for healing, but I believe in a God who heals and restores. Can I pray for you?  Drop me a comment and let me know how.   in HIM,