Six years ago this month, my Dad died.
A heart attack killed him but he had many medical ailments.
The one that concerns my own health is colon cancer.
I had a polyp removed six years ago.
No cancer.
I'm due to have another colonoscopy this year.
It's something I think about from time to time.
I saw what it did to my Dad's quality of life.
But my Dad rarely went to the doctor for preventive medicine.
I read and listen to a lot of stories about cancer.
Children, adults, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer.
The list of cancers is a long one, each of them categorized by stages.
Like I said, my Dad's cancer was aggressive.
It took only a few months for the colon to weaken.
He had surgery to try and repair it but it was too late.
My sisters and I offered on numerous occasions to help.
But my Dad was a proud man.
And his wife? Well, she was a mystery to us.
No person should be made to live the way he did in his last years.
Though I have wondered if he reached out to God in those moments.
I like to think he did even though there is no evidence supporting that hope.
If I had cancer, I would reach out for help.
I would ask for prayer, ask for whatever I needed.
No matter what, I wouldn't shrink away from my family like he did.
I would never leave my family to wonder, "Why didn't you let us help you?"
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith, of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Pet 1:6-7 NIV)
About This Blog
My blog shares my recovery journey from childhood abuse to living with mental illness. I've been involved in twelve step groups and therapy since 1982. I accepted Jesus as my Savior in 1988. To the best of my ability, I have followed where He wants me to go and what He wants me to do. Maybe you'll find the hope and strength you need through what I write. Maybe you want to stop hurting yourself. Maybe you have a friend who needs help and can benefit from my story. I was newly disabled when I asked God this question: "What do you want me to do with my life?" I closed my eyes and paused for a few moments to still my mind. This is what I sensed from Him: "Amy, I want you to write your story to bring hope and healing to those who are still suffering." And that's exactly what I am doing!