Three Sistas Walking in Victory 10-31-24
Most of you read my story/testimony of God’s goodness and how I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 2023. On November 9, 2023, my surgeon got it all and praise the Lord it was only in the first stage. The first mammogram since the surgery was in September and the report was good, praise the Lord again! For the month of October which is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” I was in full support, and my plans are to continue advocating for Breast Cancer. Since October 31st is the last day of “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”, I felt led to ask two of my lovely sisters in Christ to allow me to share their story. Although all cancers and any other diseases are serious, my diagnosis was not as serious as the two sistas.
Patricia, my sister in Christ and friend have known each other since 1999. She is a breast cancer survivor; the first was in 1989, and 2009. The testimony of her victory as a breast cancer survivor is: In 1989, she had two young daughters, and her prayer to the Lord was that she would become adults. Patricia was so devastated at her second diagnosis twenty years later, that she did not share it with her family until a week prior to the surgery.
Patricia realized that her faith and attitude were one hundred of the battle. Patricia joined a support group- Sisters Network, Inc that focuses African American women. Patricia is quick to say that through God’s grace, mercy, and the support of Sisters Network, she is a survivor, and a two-time survivor at. Glory to God! God not only answered prayers about living to see her young She also has grandchildren and the twins have reached adulthood. Look at God!!!
Harriet, my sister in Christ, a friend, and my sister-in-law. In 2018 (I don't remember the date). I went in for my annual mammogram. I got my mammogram on a regular basis. The doctor said he thought he saw a grey area and asked if I had been injured. I told him that I had fallen off my bike , but I didn't think I had damaged anything. He said for me to come back in a few months and he would look at the area again. He did not take a biopsy at that time. (I should have insisted, but I didn’t think that way then.)
When I went back, the thing had grown tremendously. He took a biopsy and without compassion or thought (or so it seemed to me), he uttered those words. "Its's cancer and it is at a stage 2 almost stage 3. I did not blink, cry, or get upset. God had me, whatever happened, God had me. My first steps, on a personal basis, I went to see my pastor, along with my sister, Linda and my husband, Pete. I wanted to let him know why I would be out of church for a while, but I had not left. I also asked him to pray for us. He wanted to know how my children were taking the news. I told him, if they see that I am fine, they would be fine (and I was). We all prayed together.
So, in May of 2018, I started my chemo treatments in order to shrink the cancer mass before the operation (a total mastectomy to the right breast). Yes, sixteen grueling sessions of chemo. But I was ok. I did not get too weak, lose all of my appetite, (although, I did lose all of my hair), and I was able to do my necessary housework and take care of the kids. Then it was time to set a date for the surgery. So, we said yes to that date. October 31st, Halloween. Was this a joke? No, God turned Halloween into Hallelujah! The surgery was done. I came out ok, even with the removal of thirteen lymph nodes, eleven of them were cancerous.
In January of 2019, I began radiation treatments and was burned pretty severely by the radiation. But, once again, God brought me out. God is a provider, a healer, a comforter, and any thing else you need him to be ("I AM, that I AM"). He sent my cousin, Deborah, to me every day to help with the children and other things. He provided those children with everything they needed and is still doing just that (Phil. 4:19). DSS said I did not qualify to get help for them, but God said I did.
So, five years later, here I am, cancer free. The children are six and eight. God is still providing abundantly for all of us. Oh, I forgot to mention, over the course of these years, my husband of 58 years has developed dementia - so this is just another test. I am thankful that God gives an open book test. If we study hard and trust His instruction, we can pass the test.
But my God will supply all of my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passed all understanding, shall keep your heart and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-8). Trust in the Lord with all your heart…….. (Proverbs 3:5-6).
That's my story and I am sticking to it. Love Ya! Harriet L. Ross
In closing, I visited Harriet and the family in August 2023 and asked if she would share her story. I was not aware of my breast cancer at the time, because it was not time for my yearly mammogram. Here we are on October 31, 2024, with Harriet, along with Patricia sharing their story. Thanks be to God our Father who gives us the victory through Christ Jesus, the Ultimate Healer!
His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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