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Never again! Yesterday I claimed a “Never Again.” There is a place in the Bible where this is said quite emphatically. It is Genesis 9 verse 14-15,
“Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. NEVER AGAIN will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.”
It came to mind yesterday while I was driving home with Riana after her LAST radiation treatment. There was one rainbow after another, spread joyously across the sky, bringing colour and brilliance amidst the grey clouds.
NEVER AGAIN. Riana and I had planned to go together for her last radiation treatment. We had our mammograms together on 1st April. I was there when she walked into the waiting room after her ultrasound – pale and in a little shock, explaining she had a lump and should we wait for it to be biopsied under ultrasound. I sat in the ultrasound room watching while the specialist did the biopsy. When she got the results, she was on her way to pick me up for gym. I went back 141 days on my cell phone to a Whatsapp on 2nd April….
It was bone-chilling. Even now, when I relive those moments, my heart pounds and my adrenaline levels rise. We were both shocked. We went to gym, internally reeling from this life-changing news. Externally trying to just be normal. She had not been able to get hold of her husband. We could say nothing to anyone….except God. Arrow, silent prayers shooting heavenward, trying to make sense of this bizarre, unexpected result.
The days ahead blurred as appointments were made, doctors visited, scans, surgeons, conversations, endless questions and much prayer. The news at every turn was unexpectedly good, under the circumstances. The oncology team said it was the smallest lump they had ever had to deal with. After surgery, the rim was clear, the glands were clear. No mastectomy necessary. No chemo required. The doctors were all in agreement that it was remarkable that it was found so early. 6 weeks of radiation (5 days a week) was the prescribed treatment. And so Riana, with very little fuss or bother, got it done. And it came as no surprise yesterday that the radiation staff commented that she was one of the best, pleasant patients they had ever had! 😀
We went as a group…4 of us….Riana, me, as well as two other precious friends who have advised, explained, sympathised, supported and done something I could not do…they have fully understood. They have been through their own breast cancer journey – both have had to have chemo and radiation. Both have been amazing examples to all of us – role models – strong women, who have shown vulnerability, yet extraordinary strength and tenacity. They have learned to”die to their afflictions and to live out on God’s altar”*, knowing that He is sovereign and He will NEVER let them down. He is faithful. They have scars to tell – living proof that they can be “afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” (2 Corinthians 4)
These are 3 amazing women who I am privileged to call my friends! My prayer for them yesterday and today and always, is that NEVER AGAIN will they have to walk that road….that those three “NEVER AGAIN” rainbows that beautifully spread across the sky on our way home will be a promise to them of a NEVER AGAIN to cancer.
So we marked the moment with photos aplenty…this is in front of the humongous radiation machine at Vincent Palotti…
And afterwards, we went out for SUSHI! On Riana’s first day of radiation, we had arranged a sushi outing and unexpectedly, the day before, she got a call to say radiation starts tomorrow & the time conflicted with sushi. Yesterday we made up for it…
It was mouth-watering!
Life is fragile. Surround yourself with people who support you. Love each other unconditionally. Life’s too short to be at odds with one another. If you have wronged, make right; seek forgiveness, make amends. Forgive others. Forgive yourself. None of us are perfect. It’s time for freedom!
Keep the smile going!
God bless you!
In His Grip
Helga xx 🙂
*Lyrics by Bill Drake
Gratitude Pic….My victorious cancer-free friends…
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