Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: COMMUTE (07/07/16)
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TITLE: Life or Death | Previous Challenge Entry
By Christine Hammock
07/14/16 -
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Some see a hopeless end, while others see an endless hope.
My daughter, Valorie, and I sat in the Breast Cancer Suite at University of Alabama Hospital, Birmingham, our minds filled with uncertainty. Just reading Breast Cancer Unit caused fear to rise in our hearts. The breast cancer specialist she was to see would provide her with the results of her breast tumor biopsy.
Speaking softly, without emotion the doctor said, “Mrs. Tucker, you have stage four breast cancer, a very aggressive type of cancer. I noticed from your history, you are a Nurse Practitioner; I assume you realize the seriousness of this diagnosis. We’ll act immediately to remove the tumor and the areas where it has spread. Then you’ll see an oncologist to prescribe chemotherapy and afterwards a drug for maintenance therapy.
My daughter was admitted to the hospital several days later and the procedures were performed as the doctor described. While still in the hospital the oncologist visited her describing the plan for her therapy. All went well and she was prescribed Tamoxifen for maintenance.
Six months later she began to experience dizzy spells and of course she immediately made an appointment to see her oncologist. Tests were made. The result -- her breast cancer had metastasized and produced eight brain tumors. Immediately radiation and chemo was prescribed. After all the prescribed treatments were complete, all the tumors were gone. Again she was prescribed another maintenance drug.
Six months later she went in for a battery of test to determine if she was cancer free when the doctors found the cancer had spread to both lungs. From that day to this, she can be found in the oncology unit on Monday mornings receiving chemotherapy. The chemo each week has become her maintenance drug.
Her oncologist recently told her,“Valorie, you know you’re a miracle. This report says you’re in remission. The statistics say you shouldn’t be with us today. Ninety-eight percent of patients that have had similar cancers are no longer with us.”
She replied, “I know you’re right, but most of those patients didn’t have the Great Physician as their doctor. I’ve depended on the Lord Jesus for forty years; He has never failed me. My hope is in Jesus.”
Furthermore, “You know from the beginning I declared that the Lord was going to see me through this and I would live. I have five children the youngest thirteen and three grandchildren; I have too much to live for to die. Ten years ago you rendered me a sentence of death; but the Lord Jesus decided to commute my sentence of death to life, eternal life.”
Her journey hasn’t been easy; it still isn’t easy. She has chemo each Monday and the sickness that follows. Every six months when she has the tests to determine if the cancer has returned, as her mother, I’m anxious. However, she states she knows the Lord has commuted, substituted life for her instead of death. She faces each day with praise to God for what He has done in her life.
She has had many opportunities to give her witness and praise to Jesus. Following is an excerpt from her testimony, “Jesus was beaten and the strips He took on His back that day were for my healing. Jesus was sentenced to death on a cross where every drop of His blood was shed for me, really all humanity. Because Jesus arose from death and returned to the Father in heaven my redemption is sure. The Father designed this amazing plan of salvation to commute my death sentence to a life sentence with Him.”
David wrote in Psalm 51:14 MSG, “Commute my death sentence God, my salvation God, and I’ll sing anthems to your life-giving ways. Unbutton my lips, dear God; I’ll let loose with your praise.” Each Monday morning before her treatment she dispenses encouragement and words of life to cancer patients in the chemo room as she lives out this scripture.
Valorie concludes her testimony with these words, “I’ve been given the choice between life and death. I’ve chosen life, (Deuteronomy 30:19, NLT). We can’t determine the day of our passing from this world, but we can choose life or death. Our physical bodies may fail us, but if you have Jesus as your Savior, on that appointed day, you’ll be transported to heaven with Him. My endless hope is in Jesus, my Savior, my Healer.”
Put your hope in Jesus -- choose life!
A true story.
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Thanks for sharing the victory and hope we have in Jesus. Beautifully written
I know you're proud of your daughter! God bless.