How do you hear the sobering words, "I have cancer" from someone you love? Someone so close to your heart you'd do anything for them? Someone who not only happens to be your best friend but your sister, too?
I'll tell you how... it's absolutely devasting and utterly breaks your heart. The kind of sickness of heart that brings you to your knees in tears. The kind of grief that makes you lose sleep because you're overcome with emotions for her and what she's enduring .
However, we find strength when we cling to our hope in God, trusting in His goodness and knowing in the depths of our very being that He is our anchor when the storms of this life roll in. While the road ahead seems unfamiliar, scary, and unknown, full of appointments, tests, surgery, radiation treatments, and mounting medical expenses, we know our great big God is totally in control of everything and fully able to supply all our needs whether it is physical, emotional, spiritual, or financial.
I am claiming two very specific verses over David and Kathy:
Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all THEIR needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
And Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
We don't often know what the day will hold. Sure, we can plan but sometimes our plans don't play out the way we hope them to. For example, last Saturday I went to the mall with my sister and sister-in-law. We had a good time shopping but in the back of my mind was a nagging thought. A fear. An idea that perhaps something, not-so-great was waiting for me.
The previous week I had endured a biopsy on my thyroid along with the jarring news that I could potentially have thyroid cancer. WHOA. I tried to take it in stride. How do you do that? How do you hear the words, "Well, I don't want to scare you, but you have three of the four markers for this to be cancer." and take that in stride? That's a scary thing to hear. I tried not to let it get to me. Besides, we had to drive to Chicago and get my sister who was coming in from Australia the same day and that was an exciting thing.
So we made it to Chicago, arrived home incredibly late with my sister and the coming days were filled with happy tears of surprises and fun. That week I called the doctor's office in attempt to find out the results of the biopsy. No luck. The first time I was told they wouldn't have the results for at least a week. A week! The doctor told me 3-5 days. So, I tried to take deep breaths and keep myself distracted until the next day when I called again. See, I don't give up so easily. That day I was told the results were in but the doctor hadn't read them yet. So I wouldn't be able to get any information. I tried again on Thursday, I figured it had been almost a week and surely he had read the results by then. No. Such. Luck. This time I was told that I should just plan on keeping my appointment. After, three times I decided that maybe I just didn't need to know yet and I wasn't going to call anymore. I was just going to wait until I went back for my follow up appointment.
So back to the mall..... There I was, meandering my way through Barnes and Noble. Picking up books and checking them out. My sister-in-law tells me that my brother would really like this Edgar Allan Poe book. So I say, "Oh, good! I'll get it for him for his birthday!" Yes, I stole the birthday idea from her. A few steps later, we get separated and my phone rings....unknown number. Do I answer it?? Ah, I know what David would say.
"Hello?" I said as quietly as I can. I'm not sure why I equate a bookstore in the mall with the library but I thought I'd better be quiet.
"Is Katherine available?" A man's voice says on the other end.
So here is where I want to make sure I'm not wasting my time.
"Nope, can I take a message?"
"Well this is Dr. D."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm here, this is Katherine. I thought you were a solicitor." If you are wondering I was embarrassed the answer is yes.
"Did you think I was going to sell you something?" He joked.
"You never know." I said nervously. At least he had a sense of humor about this. I mean after all I did nearly blow off his call.
"Is this a bad time?"
"Well, I mean, I'm out shopping but you're already on the phone so...." I trailed off. At this point I had a sick feeling in my stomach. It's Saturday afternoon and I cannot imagine a good reason that my doctor would be calling me.
"I just got back from vacation and I see that you've tried to call several times and I didn't want you to wait any longer for the results."
"Okay."
"You have what is called Papillary Carcinoma. It is cancer. It is very treatable as we discussed previously but will require a total thyroidectomy and radiation treatment following. I'd like to see you in my office sooner than Friday. Can you come on Wednesday?"
At this point, I was now sitting on the floor of the Barnes and Noble because I couldn't stand up any longer. Somehow my sister and sister-in-law managed to find me there and my doctor then explained everything to one of them. There I sat, crying and in total shock until one of them said something about leaving.
I won't load you up on all of the heartbreaking phone calls that had to be made that long hour home. I think it got to be more difficult for my family in the car to hear me say those words over and over again. I have cancer.
I think sometimes we forget that in order to have a victory, there has to be a battle. I'm entering mine. But I'm not alone. Oh, no. I have many people by my side. Praying, caring, loving and helping me laugh my way through. Helping me find my happy place. Most importantly, I have a big God. One that I know is always by my side fighting my battle with me. I'm reminded of all of the victories that God has granted so many.
Today, don't look at the negative things in your life and say, "Why me?" Look at them and remember that victories only come after a battle.
-Katherine Wickey
David & Kathy share their journey through the difficult and fun times in this blog @
http://gooddayforadonut.weebly.com/
I'll tell you how... it's absolutely devasting and utterly breaks your heart. The kind of sickness of heart that brings you to your knees in tears. The kind of grief that makes you lose sleep because you're overcome with emotions for her and what she's enduring .
However, we find strength when we cling to our hope in God, trusting in His goodness and knowing in the depths of our very being that He is our anchor when the storms of this life roll in. While the road ahead seems unfamiliar, scary, and unknown, full of appointments, tests, surgery, radiation treatments, and mounting medical expenses, we know our great big God is totally in control of everything and fully able to supply all our needs whether it is physical, emotional, spiritual, or financial.
I am claiming two very specific verses over David and Kathy:
Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all THEIR needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
And Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
I'd like to invite you to walk this journey with them by offering your support , love, and friendship through words of encouragement, prayers, and if you're able by giving a financial donation for the expenses that are already adding up. Please know that no amount is too small. As it stands around $5,000 is already due by September 1st but our God is able!
Blessings,
Jennifer Wickey
Below is an entry from David & Kathy's new blog describing in detail her account of finding out she was diagnosed with cancer.
Blessings,
Jennifer Wickey
Below is an entry from David & Kathy's new blog describing in detail her account of finding out she was diagnosed with cancer.
We don't often know what the day will hold. Sure, we can plan but sometimes our plans don't play out the way we hope them to. For example, last Saturday I went to the mall with my sister and sister-in-law. We had a good time shopping but in the back of my mind was a nagging thought. A fear. An idea that perhaps something, not-so-great was waiting for me.
The previous week I had endured a biopsy on my thyroid along with the jarring news that I could potentially have thyroid cancer. WHOA. I tried to take it in stride. How do you do that? How do you hear the words, "Well, I don't want to scare you, but you have three of the four markers for this to be cancer." and take that in stride? That's a scary thing to hear. I tried not to let it get to me. Besides, we had to drive to Chicago and get my sister who was coming in from Australia the same day and that was an exciting thing.
So we made it to Chicago, arrived home incredibly late with my sister and the coming days were filled with happy tears of surprises and fun. That week I called the doctor's office in attempt to find out the results of the biopsy. No luck. The first time I was told they wouldn't have the results for at least a week. A week! The doctor told me 3-5 days. So, I tried to take deep breaths and keep myself distracted until the next day when I called again. See, I don't give up so easily. That day I was told the results were in but the doctor hadn't read them yet. So I wouldn't be able to get any information. I tried again on Thursday, I figured it had been almost a week and surely he had read the results by then. No. Such. Luck. This time I was told that I should just plan on keeping my appointment. After, three times I decided that maybe I just didn't need to know yet and I wasn't going to call anymore. I was just going to wait until I went back for my follow up appointment.
So back to the mall..... There I was, meandering my way through Barnes and Noble. Picking up books and checking them out. My sister-in-law tells me that my brother would really like this Edgar Allan Poe book. So I say, "Oh, good! I'll get it for him for his birthday!" Yes, I stole the birthday idea from her. A few steps later, we get separated and my phone rings....unknown number. Do I answer it?? Ah, I know what David would say.
"Hello?" I said as quietly as I can. I'm not sure why I equate a bookstore in the mall with the library but I thought I'd better be quiet.
"Is Katherine available?" A man's voice says on the other end.
So here is where I want to make sure I'm not wasting my time.
"Nope, can I take a message?"
"Well this is Dr. D."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm here, this is Katherine. I thought you were a solicitor." If you are wondering I was embarrassed the answer is yes.
"Did you think I was going to sell you something?" He joked.
"You never know." I said nervously. At least he had a sense of humor about this. I mean after all I did nearly blow off his call.
"Is this a bad time?"
"Well, I mean, I'm out shopping but you're already on the phone so...." I trailed off. At this point I had a sick feeling in my stomach. It's Saturday afternoon and I cannot imagine a good reason that my doctor would be calling me.
"I just got back from vacation and I see that you've tried to call several times and I didn't want you to wait any longer for the results."
"Okay."
"You have what is called Papillary Carcinoma. It is cancer. It is very treatable as we discussed previously but will require a total thyroidectomy and radiation treatment following. I'd like to see you in my office sooner than Friday. Can you come on Wednesday?"
At this point, I was now sitting on the floor of the Barnes and Noble because I couldn't stand up any longer. Somehow my sister and sister-in-law managed to find me there and my doctor then explained everything to one of them. There I sat, crying and in total shock until one of them said something about leaving.
I won't load you up on all of the heartbreaking phone calls that had to be made that long hour home. I think it got to be more difficult for my family in the car to hear me say those words over and over again. I have cancer.
I think sometimes we forget that in order to have a victory, there has to be a battle. I'm entering mine. But I'm not alone. Oh, no. I have many people by my side. Praying, caring, loving and helping me laugh my way through. Helping me find my happy place. Most importantly, I have a big God. One that I know is always by my side fighting my battle with me. I'm reminded of all of the victories that God has granted so many.
Today, don't look at the negative things in your life and say, "Why me?" Look at them and remember that victories only come after a battle.
-Katherine Wickey
David & Kathy share their journey through the difficult and fun times in this blog @
http://gooddayforadonut.weebly.com/
Organizer and beneficiary
Katherine Wickey
Beneficiary