I have been incredibly impressed by how one of my sisters in Christ, Angie, our 6th grade teacher, has managed a recent diagnosis and treatment for cancer, continually sharing news with the caring community of friends and colleagues that surround her, asking … even challenging … us to include her in our prayers. 

So, I thought, who best to share a word of ministry with God’s people than Angie! We often treat the community of God’s people as an “afterthought,” something we don’t really pay that much attention to. For our sister in Christ the community that surrounds her (including family, friends, co-workers, church members) have been what she needed now. 

Here are her words:

“I have cancer, cancer doesn’t have me!”

Like many women my age and older, I was heading to my yearly mammogram screening while my mind was planning all the things I needed to do once the appointment was over. Even when I was told I needed to come back for a diagnostic scan, I was more frustrated with the fact that I needed to take more time off work to be there. The seriousness of the situation didn’t hit me until the nurse told me I would need to schedule a biopsy. This made me pause; made me forget that list of “things” that were waiting for me outside the doctor’s office. 

On my ride back to school, I had called my mom and told her what was happening. She was getting nervous, so I remember trying to calm her fears and convince her this was all going to be okay. It wasn’t until I walked into the school office and told Mrs. Berndt and Pastor Albers that I yet again needed more time off, this time for a biopsy, that my emotions took over, and the tears started to fall. Not only was I worried about what this may lead to, but I felt like I was letting the school down by needing so much time off work. Little did I know at the time that everyone at the school would be absolutely amazing for me during this entire process. Not only did all of the staff members step up to fill in wherever they may have been needed, but they all reached out to me and let me know they were praying for me and adding me to their church prayer lists, or asking their friends to pray for me as well. As for the extra time needed off for work, no one even batted an eye.

Fast forward a couple of weeks to the biopsy itself. I was still telling myself that everything would be alright; this biopsy was just a good way to prove it. When the biopsy was complete, the nurse informed me she was concerned about the bigger spot and would have the results for me as soon as possible, but it may take a couple of days. Before I even left the room, I closed my eyes and said a quick prayer, “Dear God, whatever this turns out to be, I know you’re with me. I trust your plan for me. Let me be an example to my kids through all of this. Amen.” 

Then the call came: “You have breast cancer.” I know there was more to the conversation than that, but it’s difficult to focus on much after you hear those words. Now, I’ve had multiple experiences with skin cancer, and that has almost become “no big deal” to me because of how fast the doctors can take care of it. But there’s something completely different about this new diagnosis, something more real, if you will. I instantly went into planning mode, since here I was again, about to ask for more time off and needing to make more sub-plans. The medical staff I worked with surprised me with how fast they were able to get everything scheduled, and how confident they were that I would get through this and be back to my routine.

Because I have seen what prayers can do in my life previously, I decided to tell people as soon as possible. My husband, Matt, and I told our kids over dinner. There were a few tears, but we made sure to let them know that the doctors had caught this early and were very positive about my outcome. I let my students know, as I always try to be as honest with them as I possibly can. Of course, there were mixed reactions, but I was pleased to see the students step up and offer to help with things when I couldn’t be in the classroom, and remind me they would be praying for me each night. Parents were notified, and many of the same reactions came up: offering help and lots of prayers. Even as I posted on social media, I received many comments from people I haven’t talked to in years, offering prayers and making sure I was doing all right. Other breast cancer survivors reached out and offered to help me in any way they could. Thankfully, Matt’s company has been more than gracious in allowing him to take whatever time off he needs and sending food, gifts, and prayers for our family. 

Now here I sit, writing this reflection a week after my surgery. Every day, I have had calls and messages from people checking in on me. When asked how I am doing, I answer with, “I really can’t complain.” It’s not that I am trying to sugar coat anything or don’t want to talk about it; I feel I’ve been pretty open about this experience with people this whole time. Yes, I am a little sore, not sleeping great at night, etc. But I really can’t complain because I had breast cancer. God provided me with the right appointments, tests, and people all at the right time. God gave me the strength to walk this path and hopefully show others that, as serious and scary as cancer is, it doesn’t mean you have to give up or hide. He has even allowed me to keep my humor through this, joking about some of the things we’ve had to experience and talk about. 

Shortly after my diagnosis, I saw a quote that resonated with me greatly, and I hope to express it through my actions. It said, “I have cancer, cancer doesn’t have me.”