Ruthie's Story.....
I would like to share my testimony in hopes I can bring forth and show the TRUE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and MERCY that God has given me throughout my life.
December, 2009: I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. At the time of my diagnosis, my doctor had no hope for my future. I remember the day he looked into my eyes with despair. The only thing he could tell me was, “We need to get you into MD Anderson because I don’t know where to even begin to try and treat you. It’s going to be hard because even with a referral, the best to get you in for an appointment is 6 weeks. We don’t have that kind of time to wait. If we don’t get you in there …” I stopped him there, and knew I was up for a huge battle for survival. I held my composure until I walked outside, opened my car door and cried out so loudly to one who I knew would hear it… my Lord. As a Christian woman, you learn that when things are overwhelming on this earth you need to have relationships with people who can stand by you and pray. I called my assistant pastor’s wife and told her of my situation. At that moment, she began to pray with me (Mark 11:23-24) to pull away that mountain and in agreement with me that I would be able to be seen at MD Anderson immediately. I continued to pray that night, tired of crying, begging the Lord to not let me go through this battle alone. I had battle breast cancer 9 years before and thought I would never see the likes of this enemy again in my life. The Lord hears you when you come to him, humble in spirit and broken. (Ps. 51:17) One of the things I feared and begged the Lord not to let me go through this all over again alone. I needed support and comfort desperately. God orchestrates and prepares an individual in His perfect timing.
Just when I thought things were looking up for me in my life--I was attending college, my job was one that fulfilled me and I was beginning to feel secure in my future--I was hit with the news that I had a very aggressive form of breast cancer and my chances for survival were less than 25%. The things going through my mind were these: ‘Who in the world would ever look at me?” “I will never marry again.” “Will I be here to see my daughter graduate?” “Will I be here to see any of my children’s children?” I was lost for hope … but only for a moment. I remember, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane crying of what he knew was about to take place in His life, yet in that cry He stated, “Lord let not my Will be done, but yours” (Matt 26:39) I knew that I was not going to go through this alone. He would be there with me every step of the way.
I knew I had to prepare myself for this battle. I first, asked for ‘forgiveness’ because I knew for the Lord to hear me clearly I had to come to Him with a pure heart to receive His blessings. I received such a surreal peace from that moment on. I was given strength to have a Will drawn up and made arrangements for my own funeral. This was because I did not want that burden on my children. I was at peace and told the Lord, whatever He wills in my life, I knew I would be the victor of the situation in my life. I KNEW WHERE MY HOME WOULD BE! I saw myself not as Ruthie, but as an open vessel that would allow the Lord to use me for His glory. I stayed focused and surrounded myself with positive, strong-willed warriors of God. I never allowed anyone to enter my life with doubt, despair or negative words. It was enough to go through the chemotherapy I endured for 5 months, then the surgery that followed which took a part of me that made me feel like a woman. Then there were the 47 treatments of radiation that left what was once soft skin in 2nd degree burns on my chest.
August 2011, was my one-year anniversary of being cancer free! What was thought of 18 months ago for my life to be over with … I was still here! I share this with you because many of you who have read any part of the Bible or have heard of Jesus performing miracles and wondered if miracles truly ever happened? I am here to tell you YES! God is the SAME, yesterday, today and forever! (Heb 13:8) God wants to do the same for you as He has done for me. He has His arms open; ready to receive you… are you ready to receive HIM?
March, 2012 -- Recent update. I am now in my THIRD battle with this enemy. It chose to come at me one more time. This battle almost caught me 'off guard,' but it didn't catch my GOD. I now am fighting with several tumors (5) throughout my body, one that is still unpredictable in my sternum area. Although it has made it very difficult for me to breath and lay to rest at night, I am very thankful that God is in control, and know that THIS TOO SHALL PASS! Like Pastor Danny said in service Sunday... God and I will have a long talk when I make it to Heaven! I am going through the physical changes once again--the hair loss, weight loss, numbness in my feet and toes and nausea--BUT, my SPIRIT has not been touched!! I am under the care of MD Anderson and surrounded by family members and MANY beautiful friends ... YOU!! Thank you for all your prayers, cards, encouragement and LOVE!!
Ruthie~
December, 2009: I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. At the time of my diagnosis, my doctor had no hope for my future. I remember the day he looked into my eyes with despair. The only thing he could tell me was, “We need to get you into MD Anderson because I don’t know where to even begin to try and treat you. It’s going to be hard because even with a referral, the best to get you in for an appointment is 6 weeks. We don’t have that kind of time to wait. If we don’t get you in there …” I stopped him there, and knew I was up for a huge battle for survival. I held my composure until I walked outside, opened my car door and cried out so loudly to one who I knew would hear it… my Lord. As a Christian woman, you learn that when things are overwhelming on this earth you need to have relationships with people who can stand by you and pray. I called my assistant pastor’s wife and told her of my situation. At that moment, she began to pray with me (Mark 11:23-24) to pull away that mountain and in agreement with me that I would be able to be seen at MD Anderson immediately. I continued to pray that night, tired of crying, begging the Lord to not let me go through this battle alone. I had battle breast cancer 9 years before and thought I would never see the likes of this enemy again in my life. The Lord hears you when you come to him, humble in spirit and broken. (Ps. 51:17) One of the things I feared and begged the Lord not to let me go through this all over again alone. I needed support and comfort desperately. God orchestrates and prepares an individual in His perfect timing.
Just when I thought things were looking up for me in my life--I was attending college, my job was one that fulfilled me and I was beginning to feel secure in my future--I was hit with the news that I had a very aggressive form of breast cancer and my chances for survival were less than 25%. The things going through my mind were these: ‘Who in the world would ever look at me?” “I will never marry again.” “Will I be here to see my daughter graduate?” “Will I be here to see any of my children’s children?” I was lost for hope … but only for a moment. I remember, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane crying of what he knew was about to take place in His life, yet in that cry He stated, “Lord let not my Will be done, but yours” (Matt 26:39) I knew that I was not going to go through this alone. He would be there with me every step of the way.
I knew I had to prepare myself for this battle. I first, asked for ‘forgiveness’ because I knew for the Lord to hear me clearly I had to come to Him with a pure heart to receive His blessings. I received such a surreal peace from that moment on. I was given strength to have a Will drawn up and made arrangements for my own funeral. This was because I did not want that burden on my children. I was at peace and told the Lord, whatever He wills in my life, I knew I would be the victor of the situation in my life. I KNEW WHERE MY HOME WOULD BE! I saw myself not as Ruthie, but as an open vessel that would allow the Lord to use me for His glory. I stayed focused and surrounded myself with positive, strong-willed warriors of God. I never allowed anyone to enter my life with doubt, despair or negative words. It was enough to go through the chemotherapy I endured for 5 months, then the surgery that followed which took a part of me that made me feel like a woman. Then there were the 47 treatments of radiation that left what was once soft skin in 2nd degree burns on my chest.
August 2011, was my one-year anniversary of being cancer free! What was thought of 18 months ago for my life to be over with … I was still here! I share this with you because many of you who have read any part of the Bible or have heard of Jesus performing miracles and wondered if miracles truly ever happened? I am here to tell you YES! God is the SAME, yesterday, today and forever! (Heb 13:8) God wants to do the same for you as He has done for me. He has His arms open; ready to receive you… are you ready to receive HIM?
March, 2012 -- Recent update. I am now in my THIRD battle with this enemy. It chose to come at me one more time. This battle almost caught me 'off guard,' but it didn't catch my GOD. I now am fighting with several tumors (5) throughout my body, one that is still unpredictable in my sternum area. Although it has made it very difficult for me to breath and lay to rest at night, I am very thankful that God is in control, and know that THIS TOO SHALL PASS! Like Pastor Danny said in service Sunday... God and I will have a long talk when I make it to Heaven! I am going through the physical changes once again--the hair loss, weight loss, numbness in my feet and toes and nausea--BUT, my SPIRIT has not been touched!! I am under the care of MD Anderson and surrounded by family members and MANY beautiful friends ... YOU!! Thank you for all your prayers, cards, encouragement and LOVE!!
Ruthie~