“You have a cancer,” the doctor said. The words conjure up a deep fear beyond measure. Those four words cast doubt about your future, and they put in peril everything dear to you. Immediately, you want advice, help, and any shred of hope to comfort you. You have begun a race to save your life, and a moment ago, you had no concept that you were a participant in a race. Some folks panic and they remain in panic for a long time. Others try to get hold of their panic and they begin their race by asking questions. Your first questions direct to the physician who delivered the disheartening news.
Perhaps your physician has a plan. Maybe he or she has served previous patients who had the type of cancer that he or she believes that you have. You listen carefully, take notes, determine options (points of decision for you to make). Likely, your physician will suggest that you get a second opinion. Possibly, you must think of that and tell your physician that you want a second opinion. You might ask to speak to patients who have faced the same diagnosis and have defeated or slowed the cancer. You must form your plan, and the more information that you have, they better you can plan. If you have medical insurance, involve them soon. Your insurance company likely also has experience with patients like you and they may help you get the second and more opinions on how to proceed. Most people regard their medical insurance company as unfriendly and they suspect that they will deny payments in order to save money. The counter view: If your insurance company does right by you, you live longer and pay them monthly insurance premiums longer.
You received opinions, understand options, made your plan, and you understand your treatment schedule, how to pay for it, and changes to your routine while you undergo treatment. Do you have more actions? Yes. Answer your “wake up call.” Your earthly life, different now, can improve because you might have limited time to enjoy it. So, enjoy it. Appreciate yourself, your family, your friends, and anyone who helps you. Finish your unfinished business (things you said you would do in your life). As a better person, take comfort in small victories.
Don’t fight cancer alone. “Call in your banners,” an old term of powerful feudal houses (family dynasties) used when they were under threat. It meant inform every other house of power to come to their aid (because they said they would or because they owed fealty for good deeds done for them). Put thought into this before you do it, and today, “call in” means make contact. Tell your banners what has happened and open a conversation to support the effect that you want.
Whether by cancer or by other means, do you expect your life to end when you die? Or, do you believe that God exists? Perhaps sure of the first, you want information about the possibility of God. If you acknowledge God, accept his omnipotence. He owes you nothing. Do not presume to pray to God for the cancer to go away so that you can resume your former life. From the comfort of your home, online, learn about the history of God, the people that he favored, the promise of a savior (Christ), and Jesus Christ (the son of God). Jesus had disciples who wrote about what he did in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Read how God loves you and only asks that you acknowledge him as God and that he experienced the challenge of human suffering by the union of himself with a human female, resulting in his son, Jesus, who sacrified himself for all sin, including your sin.
Believe that, then pray this way: “Father, my God, I believe that Jesus took my sin and I will live my life for your purpose. I ask your grace upon my family and on me as I face harm in my life. Amen.” Continue your fight against your cancer, stronger by the promise of your salvation. Become the rock upon which your family, friends, and all who know you admire. Be the way to your, and their, salvation. God bless you as you face the enemy within.