Significance of August 26th...

It has crept up quietly and most of the time I ignore these milestones but this time, it is different. August 26th, marks the 5th year anniversary of my mastectomy. I feel the need to take a moment and reflect on the significance of this moment in time and how God allowed me the gift of time.

You see, most people, with my diagnosis and stage of cancer, have a recurrence within 2 years and pass away within 5 years of the original diagnosis. God has allowed me the opportunity to remain healthy and given me more time to invest in the lives of my family. I don’t want this moment to pass without acknowledging HIS grace in that.

Cancer is one of those things that God may never reveal his reasons for allowing in your life however I want to speak out loud the things I have learned from this experience.

1. I learned what a Christian community truly is and how God intended it to work as HIS hands and feet. That year, I witnessed and experienced my church family protect us, pray for us, support us, and walk through the hard with us. I had women sit through 8 hours of chemo while I slept and struggled to function. The body of Christ was witness to the messy of our lives, grieved when we grieved and held us up when we were too weary to stand. I remember one trip to the ER and friends left work to be there and serve as we needed.

2. I learned the depths of my husband’s love and commitment to our marriage. I have never seen a man carry the burden of that year with more grace and spiritual strength than him. I saw scars and what was lost. He spoke of what was saved and important to his heart. (The Picture below was taken an hour before we shaved my head!)

3. I learned what a spiritual impact such complete dependence on God can do to the heart of your family. We were stretched and pushed to a place of complete surrender during that year. While I would celebrate never walking this phase of life again, there was so much value in the depth of growth of our spiritual walk.

4. I learned the value of transparency. To be completely honest about where your heart is, allows others the opportunity to pray for you and also be open about their strengths and weaknesses. It creates an environment of accountability and view of our weakness in light of God’s strength.


I am fully aware of the doctor’s opinions regarding my chances at a long life. Thankfully, I am also aware my God sees far beyond what my doctors can possibly imagine. Right now…I celebrate being able to witness 10 years of my daughter’s life. I celebrate walking hand in hand with my Love for 11 ½ years. Just because I do not celebrate every cancer milestone does not mean I am not fully in awe of the power of my heavenly Father. Thank you to those dear family and friends that walked the journey beside us!