Sydney Howk Testimony Not Tragedy Video
Since January 23, 2018, Sydney Howk, guided by her faith, has defied the odds that the world of cancer stacked against her. On that day, she was diagnosed with Stage IV Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma (ACC) and given 4-6 months to live. Her world as a mother of two young children - Addyson (age 6) and Gunnar (age 4) - came crashing down, and so did her dreams of delivering babies. After almost 10 years of enduring financial, personal, and family hardships to complete her education, Sydney finally completed her Masters Degree as a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner; all while raising her two children as her husband, Lou, continued traveling for his job requirements. To call Sydney a superwoman is an understatement.
Sydney received her Stage IV diagnosis just one month after finishing school and one week after passing her CNM licensing boards. Two weeks later, her oncology team conducted what was essentially a “Hail Mary” surgery to remove her right adrenal gland, right kidney, and parts of her liver, renal artery, and vena cava. Surprisingly, the only cancer the doctors could physically find was the 3+ pound tumor which was fully encased inside of her right adrenal gland. Although, the biggest shock was her healthy right kidney, which according to the CT scans had no outer cortex and appeared functionally dead. This miracle encouraged Sydney and her family to continue standing on God’s Word like never before and hope for healing rather than submitting to her prognosis. She began her first drug trial just shy of six weeks post-surgery and concurrently passed her second set of boards for her Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner licensing. Instead of planning her funeral, Sydney prepared to start her career helping mothers bring their babies into this world. In September 2018, just seven months after her surgery, Sydney started her new job as a CNM/WHNP. She calls it her ministry, and for almost 2 1/2 years Sydney has done all she can to serve Christ through her job, with her testimony of hope and trials that she calls blessings. From the beginning, Sydney refused to be a tragedy of this world and cancer, instead making the deliberate choice every day to be a testimony of God’s goodness. That faith and determination has carried her through three drug trials in three years, despite hitting several speed bumps along the way caused by the various side-effects.
In January 2021, Sydney had gallbladder surgery due to damage from the chemotherapy treatments. Before she had a chance to fully recover, Sydney was hospitalized with COVID-19, which ravaged her already wounded lungs. Concurrently, she suffered from a biliary leak, followed by pancreatitis. As I write this, Sydney is bravely battling her disease with her husband by her side at a hospital in Texas, apart from their children.
After overwhelming encouragement from their friends and family, as well as lots of prayer, and spiritual and financial counsel, Sydney and Lou relented and agreed to do something they’ve all but refused to do for over three years...accept financial support from individuals. The expenses of medical care, travel to and from medical appointments, and loss of income have added an extra burden to their family. These funds will be used to relieve the extra financial stress so Sydney can focus on recovery and return to her ministry of serving women and their children. Please prayerfully consider supporting this incredible family. Any amount you feel led to give will make a difference.
In love and faith,
Rosa
#testimonynottragedy
#crypraypraiserepeat
Philippians 4:10-14
Since January 23, 2018, Sydney Howk, guided by her faith, has defied the odds that the world of cancer stacked against her. On that day, she was diagnosed with Stage IV Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma (ACC) and given 4-6 months to live. Her world as a mother of two young children - Addyson (age 6) and Gunnar (age 4) - came crashing down, and so did her dreams of delivering babies. After almost 10 years of enduring financial, personal, and family hardships to complete her education, Sydney finally completed her Masters Degree as a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner; all while raising her two children as her husband, Lou, continued traveling for his job requirements. To call Sydney a superwoman is an understatement.
Sydney received her Stage IV diagnosis just one month after finishing school and one week after passing her CNM licensing boards. Two weeks later, her oncology team conducted what was essentially a “Hail Mary” surgery to remove her right adrenal gland, right kidney, and parts of her liver, renal artery, and vena cava. Surprisingly, the only cancer the doctors could physically find was the 3+ pound tumor which was fully encased inside of her right adrenal gland. Although, the biggest shock was her healthy right kidney, which according to the CT scans had no outer cortex and appeared functionally dead. This miracle encouraged Sydney and her family to continue standing on God’s Word like never before and hope for healing rather than submitting to her prognosis. She began her first drug trial just shy of six weeks post-surgery and concurrently passed her second set of boards for her Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner licensing. Instead of planning her funeral, Sydney prepared to start her career helping mothers bring their babies into this world. In September 2018, just seven months after her surgery, Sydney started her new job as a CNM/WHNP. She calls it her ministry, and for almost 2 1/2 years Sydney has done all she can to serve Christ through her job, with her testimony of hope and trials that she calls blessings. From the beginning, Sydney refused to be a tragedy of this world and cancer, instead making the deliberate choice every day to be a testimony of God’s goodness. That faith and determination has carried her through three drug trials in three years, despite hitting several speed bumps along the way caused by the various side-effects.
In January 2021, Sydney had gallbladder surgery due to damage from the chemotherapy treatments. Before she had a chance to fully recover, Sydney was hospitalized with COVID-19, which ravaged her already wounded lungs. Concurrently, she suffered from a biliary leak, followed by pancreatitis. As I write this, Sydney is bravely battling her disease with her husband by her side at a hospital in Texas, apart from their children.
After overwhelming encouragement from their friends and family, as well as lots of prayer, and spiritual and financial counsel, Sydney and Lou relented and agreed to do something they’ve all but refused to do for over three years...accept financial support from individuals. The expenses of medical care, travel to and from medical appointments, and loss of income have added an extra burden to their family. These funds will be used to relieve the extra financial stress so Sydney can focus on recovery and return to her ministry of serving women and their children. Please prayerfully consider supporting this incredible family. Any amount you feel led to give will make a difference.
In love and faith,
Rosa
#testimonynottragedy
#crypraypraiserepeat
Philippians 4:10-14
Organizer and beneficiary
Sydney Howk
Beneficiary