God bless and good evening! (this is lengthy)
Some people wonder why I'm being so open about what is going on with me, it's because I know how it has made me feel to NOT know what is going on with someone I care about. Speculation sets in and "bam" the tadpole becomes a whale. This way you're hearing it straight from me and the tadpole stays a tadpole and the whale, oh well. :>) Most importantly though, I want people to know that it's okay to share with someone who you know will pray for you and will also solicit prayers of others. The enemy tends to use our so called "private" issues to keep us from getting help from prayer warriors. My "private" issue is breast cancer, but someone else's "private" issue may be marital problems, job related problems, children related, family related, etc. Whatever the case maybe, don't ever shut yourself out from having someone pray for you.
Here is an update as to what is going on with me right now. On Wednesday, Sept. 7, (the day after tomorrow) I am scheduled to have a lumpectomy done. This procedure entails removing the tumor and some breast tissue to see if the cancer has spread. (By faith...it hasn't) It is scheduled as an outpatient surgery, however I will be out of the office for about two weeks. I will still have access to my email from home, so by all means please send me written prayers, thoughts, or questions you may have. As for the treatment plan after surgery, my doctor is telling me with this procedure a six week radiation therapy is a given. (again, by faith...maybe not) As for if I will have to do chemo therapy, that will be a decision will have to be made once the report comes back regarding the findings of the tumor. From what I und erstand, if my survival rate is 92% and with chemo it can be 95% am I willing to go through chemo for that 3% survival rate increase? I'll let you know more about that as I know.
I thank all of you who have sent me prayers,words of encouragement and those who shared some personal stories related to cancer. I'm most grateful.
I must admit, this is somewhat difficult for me because I'm use to being on the end praying for someone else not requesting prayers. However, as difficult as it may be, I understand that God has placed many saints out and about to do His work and I'm not the only one. So please let the prayers continue.
My husband, such a mighty man of God (Roosevelt) and two sons (RJ & Zach) who are mighty young men of God has been a tremendous blessing for me during this time. My husband's definition of enduring: by faith seeing the end during the crisis/tribulations/trials. Not just me, but I ask also that you keep my husband and our sons in your prayers as well, we all need your continued prayers. The enemy has to know that God's people are about God's business.
James 5:13-16 NKJV, "13Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16Confess your trespasses F23 to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
John 16:33 NLT, " I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
I read somewhere that..."God's promises outlasts our troubles."
Hurricane Katrina has disrupted and taken the lives and homes of many people and as we think of ways we can help, always remember to start with "Prayer." For some, maybe He is calling you to be there physically, others He may want you to give monetary, and some He may be calling you to enter your prayer closet and pray for the people. Whatever the case, seek His face and see what He would have for you to do during this time. I've heard people say, "I need to do something." That's why it is important and imperative to make sure you're doing what you NEED to be doing.
If you're receiving this message and you're not sure why, ask God.
Faithfully yours,
Benita (Blood) Walker
and remember: ..."God's promises does outlast our troubles."
