…by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (AMP)

I did not want this month to pass without taking the time to share with you that I celebrated five years cancer free – to God be all the glory! Typically, doctors tell you that once you meet the five year mark, you are “home free,” meaning it is unlikely that the cancer will return. I thank God for the medical care I received and for now being “released.” However, the Holy Spirit released me the same day I received the diagnosis five years ago!

Five years ago, my daughter drove me to hospital for a “routine” colonoscopy. I was supposed to have had one at the age of 50, but I had been putting it off because of fear – not the fear of having cancer – the fear of something going wrong during the procedure. A dear friend finally said something that resonated with me, so I scheduled the colonoscopy. I was 53. When I awoke from the procedure, the doctor came in with the dreadful news. I was stunned, shocked, in complete disbelief. I had always been healthy with no more than a cold here and there. It was absolutely the last thing I expected to hear. The doctor insisted that my daughter and I come to her office that same day to get the paperwork started for surgery and I am so glad she did. It was there that the Lord showed me that everything was going to be okay, and it was from that point on that I began to look and listen for God in that situation.

While seated in the doctor’s waiting room, a woman stood up and asked if we (those of us in the area) would mind if she shared something with us. No one said a word, so I looked at her and said sure. She proceeded by telling us that she was there for a check-up after  having had surgery to remove a large malignant tumor from her colon. She shared that she had a portion of her colon removed and had also gone through radiation therapy. She went on to say that she had not felt as good as she did that day in a very long time. She went on to encourage us that whatever we were facing there that day that just like He brought her through, God will bring us through. Really, how likely is something like that to happen in a doctor’s office? I knew it was God reassuring me and I rested in that. Immediately, He had shifted my focus from the disease to Him.

Although I underwent testing prior to surgery to determine if the cancer was contained or had spread, the doctor told us that she could not be absolutely certain until she received the results of the biopsies after surgery. For that reason, I did not know the extent of the treatment I would require such as radiation or chemotherapy, but I did know that regardless of what I would have to go through, I would be okay. Thank God, the biopsies came back negative and I did not require further treatment.

Surgery was painful and recovery was very difficult, and some days I wondered when I would start feeling better. I would often reflect on that day in the doctor’s waiting room. It was a slow process; nevertheless, I made it and I will forever be thankful and grateful to my Savior, my Redeemer and my Healer for His faithfulness to me.

This is the short version of my testimony. There is so much more I could share about my healing process, but I’ll stop here least this Blog turns into a book.  I do, however, want to leave you with this one thing – if you are at least 50 years old and have not done so, please schedule a routine colonoscopy. I had no symptoms; no reason to think anything was wrong. Thank God for using my friend who convinced me to just get it done. I pray that this encourages you to do the same.

Jehovah-Rophe – The Lord Our Healer!