Volume 41      Number 5                                                                                  January 1999

“In the course of life, events occur which may change us dramatically. As a result of these events we are never the same. This article is written to share with others such an event and to encourage those who are facing physical trials.”

August 1997

We had just returned from the Eminence campout where we enjoyed a wonderful week of lessons and fellowship. Life was good. We were waiting to move into a new house—I had retired from my business with plenty of time to enjoy the grandchildren.

The phone rang at approximately 7 p.m. on the evening of the 12th . It was my doctor informing me cancer cells were found in a biopsy taken earlier in the week. I was in shock. This was unimaginable—I didn’t feel sick. After a thorough work-up at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas I was diagnosed with cancer of the upper stomach, lower esophagus, two lymph nodes near the upper stomach, and twelve pinpoints on my diaphragm—stage 4 cancer.

I can not recall clearly the events of late August and early September. Time became a blur. I could not bring myself to speak the “C” word, hear it on television, or discuss it with others. I did not want to take phone calls and would avoid visiting with others whenever possible. At night I slept very little but lay in my recliner imagining the disease gnawing inside my body like a ravenous beast. The “C” word was like an broken record playing over and over in my mind. I did not know if I could face life knowing what was in store for me.

My family provided me with relaxation tapes, recordings of river sounds, and soothing music hoping I could relax and begin to sleep. One day I remembered a set of New Testament tapes brother Guy O’Neil of the Nixa congregation had given me over 15 years ago. I began listening to those tapes at night and often during the day.

Then a most wonderful thing began to occur in my life. One “C” word was replaced by another “C” word. “Christ” began to replace the “cancer”. Every time I thought about the cancer within my body I went to the tapes and listened intently to every word Jesus and his apostles spoke to ME.

Wonderful changes began to take place in my life. A tremendous joy began to fill my heart. I was actually happy and I had cancer. I began to pray in the spirit, more often and more fervently. Often feeling stressed as I began to pray I soon would feel a calming peace wash over my soul as my prayer continued. I was not alone in my prayers. My family and the entire brotherhood were praying for me. People in the community, whom I did not know well, called telling me they were praying. I received over 300 cards and/or letters with words of encouragement. I could count on letters of encouragement from four of my sisters at least every two weeks; Yvonna Hartman, Kathy Cooper, Charlene Harp, and Reba Lee. I began to realized the awesome power in God’s Word and in prayer. I learned to appreciate the wonderful significance of God’s family here on earth.

October 1998

Springfield, MO: Gastric cancer has gone into complete remission on ELF chemotherapy. Doing well. Gary L. Hoos, M.D.

Houston, TX: RADIOGRAPHIC STUDIES: Chest x-ray, PA and lateral, no pulmonary metastases or adenopathy. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis from 10/28/98 showed stable appearance of the abdomen with no definite evidence of disease. ~ Jaffer Ajani, MD.

November 1998

The scripture tells me Christ died so I could live. By facing death, I learned how to live. When you face death your priorities are quickly aligned; God, family and others. When you face death it doesn’t matter how far up the corporate ladder you have climbed, how many material possessions you have amassed, your status among men, how good you are at sports, or how skilled a sportsman you are. In death it will be only you and God and what you have done for him.

I have a small photo album with pictures of my grandchildren. It also includes a picture of myself when I lost my hair from Chemotherapy. This is one of my most treasured pictures. I look at it often because I never want to forget that period of my life. I never want to get my priorities mixed up again.

Some may say, “She’s older--I’m much younger. I have plenty of time to align my priorities, this doesn’t apply to me.” It applies to all whether young or old. One of the hardest things about going back to Houston, TX is not the battery of test, but what I see. Young children, teenagers, and young adults all dying of cancer. No, it may not be cancer for you, but it may be an accident or heart attack where you will not have time to realign your priorities.

It is with a deep sense of love for each of you, young or old, that I ask you to check your priorities. Make sure they are aligned correctly. Our daily strength comes from the Word, prayer, and the mercy of God. Use the most choice time of your day to read and/or study God’s word. Don’t wait until you are physically exhausted and have trouble comprehending. Pray often and fervently. Minister to others in both spiritual and temporal things. Understand that life is a gift from God, always count it a blessing to serve.

Reflecting back over the last year I can now say it has been the richest year of my life, all because of the “C” words.

“I thank each of you for the many prayers offered on my behalf and the many cards and letters of comfort. I praise God for answering these prayers.” - Kay