SELMA DEAN TEAM

Maria’s Journey with Breast Cancer

On the morning of July 16, I was sitting on the side of my bed trying to process the news.  I said to God, “God, I haven’t heard from You!” All I could hear at the moment was the voice of my doctor telling me I had cancer. On the day before, July 15, 2015, I was told I had Stage 3, Aggressive Breast Cancer in my left breast.

Still sitting on my bed, I heard God speak to my heart. “I’m showing you.” I then closed my ears and opened my eyes! I mentally revisited the day before. Yes. God was with me all that day!

I recalled my mother speaking these words to me. “God’s got it!” My sister, Fay, said to me, “Maria, God’s got it!”  My brother Bill said, “ Baby Sis, God’s got it, and so do we!” (Referring to my ten brothers and sisters!)

Go clearly showed me how he used the voices of those closest to me to show his care for me. I, in return, apologized for not seeing God intervening in my situation. Right then, I promised God, my Heavenly Father, to be a “good steward” of this horrific disease.

My journey with cancer had begun.  

Physical Journey

My cancer treatments started with chemotherapy on August 17, 2015. The treatments continued through August 17, 2016. The momentous year concluded with my final surgery for breast reconstruction in September 2016.

After the first week of chemotherapy, I landed in the hospital for one week. I had trouble standing and walking. However, the chemo seemed to be working.

Another problem with chemo occurred. It produced a terrible fungus in my nails and feet. The fungus could not be corrected. In addition to other problems caused by the fungus, my nails detached from my fingers and toes.

In January, I had a bilateral mastectomy. I could not receive the breast expander implant at that time because the fungus was so severe.

By March, I had healed from the surgery and fungus. I had reconstructive surgery. However, by April, I had swelling, which needed to be corrected by my plastic surgeon.

During the reconstruction surgery in April 2016, an error occurred. My surgeon punctured the expander. This error resulted in my need for another surgery, which was scheduled later that month.

Because of the reconstructive surgeries, my radiation treatments discontinued for four of the eight required weeks. We restarted the radiation treatment again in May.

By August, with the last of the chemotherapy completed, I finally felt I could rest. All that was left was another reconstructive surgery, which was completed in September 2016.

Emotional Journey

My journey with cancer included one year of chemotherapy, eight weeks of radiation therapy, and seven surgeries. During the journey, I discovered cancer not only attacked me physically. Cancer viciously attacked me emotionally as well.

From the start of this journey to the present, I’ve experienced many conflicting emotions. When the doctor first called to confirm the biopsy results of estrogen-based cancer, I first went numb. I did not cry or show any normal emotion. Being a person of faith, I did not want to insult God.

I prayed to die. The chemotherapy made me so sick, I prayed the death prayer, asking God to take me out of the misery.

“What if?” This phrase describes the emotional roller coaster that we cancer survivors experience. Even after cancer, when other medical issues occur, we often resort to wondering, “What if this is cancer?”

I learned that feelings are God-given. When fighting cancer, it’s ok to feel scared, depressed, or angry.

Just ass my medical team helped me with the physical ailments, I had a circle of fellow cancer patients and survivors to help me with my emotion ailments. One such person was Rebekah. We were fighting cancer side by side. She completely related to my rawest emotions and I to hers. My dear friend, Rebekah, lost her fight with cancer in July 2016.

Spiritual Journey

During this journey with cancer, I grew up spiritually, realizing my priorities were out of order. My love starts with God first others! 

I learned to trust God. Obey the Doctors.

I discovered that Jesus permits me to be human. I did not have to be brave about the news of my illness. God was with me. Have faith in God.

To each cancer survivor

Share your story. I stand now a Cancer Overcomer! I don’t just see a moment, but I seize every moment to share my story and give God the glory.

Include other survivors in your circle. They can walk this journey with you, unlike your other caring family and friends. With them, you can express your true feelings and fears.

Keep a positive mindset. Do not give in to defeat. It helps to keep a journal as you go through each day. There were times when all I could write was, “I feel sick.” By journaling, you can release feelings from your head to the paper.

Always take someone with you to each medical appointment. If you have no one to go with you, record the conversation between you and your doctor. It’s difficult to remember all the troubling details when you learn of a cancer diagnosis.

Every woman should diligently perform breast self-examinations. Do not ignore any lump.  I discovered a lump six months before bringing it to my doctor’s attention. I ignored it. By the time I began treatment, the cancer was extremely aggressive.

How am I doing?

Today I am cancer-free. God was faithful to the promise he made as I sat on my bed that morning.  He assembled and orchestrated a caring and compassionate medical team. My team and I prayed together before my surgeries. For each of my concerns, my medical team prayed with me.  

My two daughters, son, and other family walked with me.  My circle of cancer survivors gave me tremendous support and love.

Since cancer, I’ve had other illnesses including lymphodema, a condition caused by the removal of my lymph nodes, neuropathy in my hands and feet, and surgery for gall bladder removal in 2017.

God helps me to accept my new normal as a breast cancer survivor. I was prescribed the cancer drug, Arimidex, for ten years. With seven years to go, I have no qualms about this. Being aware of cancer signals is how I now live.

I wake up each morning and live. I work, and minister life and hope to others, all the while, being grateful to God for each day.

More about Maria

Ms. Maria Simmons lives in Evansville, Indiana. She works part-time as an administrative assistant for Clouds of Joy Pre-School & Learning Center in Evansville. An awesome and inspiring solo, Maria inspires audiences and church congregations with her beautiful soprano voice and messages of hope and healing. Maria has 3 adult children, Monica, Jeremi, and Maegan. She absolutely adores her 3 granddaughters and 4 grandsons.

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A Story of Victory While Battling Breast Cancer from a courageous survivor.

My mother passed from ovarian cancer in 1986. Five years later, my older sister, Debra was diagnosed with breast cancer. Later, in September 2013, another older sister, Karen, had a cancerous tumor removed.

In January 2015, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

After 35 mammograms and numerous blood tests, I was referred to an oncologist. The oncologist requested a biopsy and a genetic test because of my family’s history with cancer

By the summer of 2015, I had the first steps of chemotherapy, but suffered severe reactions to the treatment. My team of doctors decided the best solution was a double mastectomy. After careful prayer, I agreed. It was also during this time that I learned a 3rd sister, Sharon, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.

October 28, 2016, was the day of my first breast cancer surgery. My doctors also advised breast reconstruction. I started my journey of reconstruction surgeries in November 2016. I had several procedures of fat transfers to complete my reconstruction.

October 28, 2016, was the day of my first breast cancer surgery. My doctors advised breast reconstruction. I started my journey of reconstruction surgeries in November 2016.

Breast reconstruction presented me with several complications. My lower back pain became extremely painful.

With unbearable back pain, I resorted to occasionally using a walker or cane to walk. After the 2nd surgery, we determined that my problems stemmed from being allergic to the breast expander implants.

I had several procedures of fat transfers to complete my reconstruction.

On January 7, 2017, my best friend found me collapsed on the living room floor. The EMT’s had to perform CPR to revive me. Later I began to have seizures, severe migraines and was unable to eat or drink.

My new, reconstruction doctor recommended another surgery to relieve my symptoms. This would be my 19th surgery. This time gangrene infection was discovered in my right breast. The surgeon had to remove the expander implanted in my breast 3 years prior.

My Current Situation…

As I wrote this to you in September 2019, I discovered another large cyst in the same right breast area. I had surgery on September 11, 2019. It was successful in that it was not cancerous.

I have now battled cancer 3 times. But thank God, today, I am cancer-free! I have been challenged by my own illnesses as well as the heartbreaking illnesses of my family members.

Debra is still doing well and cancer-free. Karen passed from breast cancer in January 2019. Even more sadly, another dear sister, Sharon, lost her fight with breast cancer in March 2017.

After losing two sisters to breast cancer, I feel even more driven to advocate for breast cancer awareness.

If you or someone close to you is being treated for breast cancer, remember these 3 things: 1) God is in control of your life, 2) Be proactive about your health, and 3) Surround yourself with a supportive team. God is in control of your life.

Let God control of your life.

I am journeying through this process with God as the center of the process. These last 4 years of my life with breast cancer have challenged me medically, financially and emotionally. Yet I still stand strong through it all.

I read the Bible about the woman with the issue of blood and looked at myself. I understood the woman’s journey and why she sought Jesus for her healing. Like her, I turned to my faith. Be proactive about your health.

Be proactive about your health.

I’ve walked this journey with multiple teams of doctors. However, I did not trust my recover entirely up to them or the well-meaning advice of others. With God’s help, I remain in control of my health decisions.

I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing your family’s medical history. Do not ignore the family history facts that could put you more at risk for cancer. Regular breast exams, medical check-ups, and mammograms are crucial.

At age 35, I visited my doctor because of back pain. I was observed to have an enlarged uterus with uterine cancerous cells. As a result, I had a complete hysterectomy.

I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing your family medical history. Do not ignore the family history facts that could put you more at risk for cancer. Regular breast exams medical check-ups and mammograms are crucial. Surround yourself with a supportive team.

Surround yourself with a supportive team.

Yes, I am a fighter, but my family and close friends fought with me. My three children, Alex, Whitney, and Velnice traveled from Atlanta to Pittsburgh many times to support me. Even my grandson, Nathan, my heartbeat kept me going through it all.

Besides my doctors and family, there were others on my team. My two best friends, Karen J. and Karen D. along with my church family walked every step with me through this journey.

God also sent another miracle during this journey in the person of Allen G. Barr. Allen has blessed my life completely with his gentleness and loving support.

I AM STRONG
“As I journey through the trials of life, I know that I must battle each season. For in each season, I find my strength. For my strength is not in myself or someone else. My strength is my Lord and Savior, who carries me through each trial. He even lets me fall sometimes to learn how to get back up.”
by Tamela Walker

More about Tamela…

Reverend Dr. Tamela Walker lives in Pittsburg Pennsylvania. She is the Chief Visionary Officer of Women Divinely Persuaded Ministries. She also serves as an associate minister at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Pittsburg. In addition to all of the above, this adoring grandmother is studying for her second doctoralal degree at Colorado Technical University.

Dr. Walker is the mother of 3 adult children, Alex, Whitney, Velnice, and daughter-in-law, Annalice, all of Atlanta, Georgia. Tamela has one grandson, Nathan who she calls her “heartbeat” and another special god-grandson, Carter.

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Can we talk about suicide? This conversation is not pleasant.  But please, lets have it now.

Forty years ago, I thought suicide mostly happened to well-to-do, white men. However, here is the horrible truth. Suicide is not resigned to any race, gender, or age. It is the 10th leading causeof adult deaths in the United States.

The statistics get more disturbing. One online news source reports: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among teenagers. It is the  fourth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This is a great time to commit to the prevention of the suicides so prevalent among us. You can start by knowing the warning signs of suicide from the National Institute of Mental Health. They are listed below. 

But first, will you take a few minutes to listen to these 4 suicide survivors?

WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE

• Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
• Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live
• Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
• Talking about great guilt or shame
• Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
• Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Using alcohol or drugs more often
• Acting anxious or agitated
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Changing eating and/or sleeping habits
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
• Talking or thinking about death often
• Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
• Giving away important possessions
• Saying goodbye to friends and family
• Putting affairs in order, making a will

YOU CAN HELP SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE.

There may be other signs. If these warning signs apply to you, or someone you know, please get help immediately. Getting help as soon as possible is especially important if the behavior is new or has recently increased.

Here are some 24/7 resources to contact if you or someone you know are contemplating suicide. If you’re not certain, contact them anyway.

Click on any of the names below to be directed to the any website.

• Call 911 first for immediate help.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line, Text 7417                         
• Veterans Crisis Line, at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, Text 838255
• The Trevor Project for LBGQT youth, at 1-866-488-7386

However, there are two steps!

Paul, the apostle, wrote about his need to do just one thing to reach his ultimate goal. “…but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:11-15).” 

However, Paul’s “one thing” included two steps. Read on.

One Thing. Two Steps

The past was a problem for Paul. He experienced a lot of suffering through others once he converted to Christianity. He also had memories of the criminal acts he committed against other Christians before his conversion.

He would do one thing to fix the problem of his past. However, he broke his one solution down into two steps. As you read on, think about what one thing you will do to move forward in your walk with God.

1. Forgetting the past,

“If you want to forget something or someone, never hate it, or never hate him/her. Everything and everyone that you hate is engraved upon your heart.” C. JoyBell C. You will never forget until you forgive. By praying daily for forgiveness, you will eventually experience supernatural healing from your past (Matthew 6:9-15, Mark 11:25, Luke 17:3-4).

There are many Bible lessons on forgiveness. Explore them. Meditate on them. You will soon begin to feel freedom from your injurious past.

Some of you have experienced horrendous offenses against you. If this process of forgiveness gets too difficulty, don’t hesitate get help from your clergy or a mental health professional.

2. Looking forward to what lies ahead,

Your greatest goal in life is to please God. Paul, the great apostle, challenged the Christians at Corinth to stop focusing on things that are seen, but to fix their eyes on what is not seen (2 Corinthians 4:18)

When you are blinded by the activities of others around you, God’s plan for your life remains unclear(Jeremiah 29:11).

Press on to Receive the Prize.

Like Paul, you’ve made a decision to forget the past and focus on what’s ahead. Follow Paul’s example to move forward and upward in your heavenly calling. Here’s how:

1. First, ask yourself, “What is one thing I must do in order to move forward?” Most likely, you already know the answer. If not, pray about it until you’re sure.
2. Next, try breaking down your “one thing” into smaller steps to reach your goal. For example: “I will pray each morning before breakfast.” “I will mind my own business today.” Set your goals for one week, then one month, and so on.
3. Finally, pleasing God must always be your goal. Persevere. Stay in the race. Keep moving forward until you cross the finish line into Heaven!

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7 Scriptural-based Stress/Anxiety Management Techniques

Everyone gets a little anxious at times. However, do you constantly worry that something bad might happen, or feel tense or fearful when there is no reason? If so, you may be acting on anxiety.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a condition that involves nervousness, tension, and constant worrying. This kind of worry and fear is mentally and physically exhausting. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, GAD often begins during the teen or young adult years.

HelpGuide, an online mental health and wellness guide, gives the following differences between “normal” worry and GAD.

“Normal” Worry:	Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Your worrying doesn’t get in the way of your daily activities and response-bilities.	Your worrying significantly disrupts your job, activities, or social life.
You’re able to control your worrying.	Your worrying is uncontrol- able.
Your worries, while unpleasant, don’t cause significant distress.	Your worries are extremely up- setting and stressful.
Your worries are limited to a specific, small number of realistic concerns.	You worry about all sorts of things, and tend to expect the worst.
Your bouts of worrying last for only a short time period.	You’ve been worrying almost every day for at least six months.

There are several ways to treat anxiety disorders such as GAD. You should first consult your health professional for treatment. Medication and therapy may be recommended.

There is more Good News! Common management techniques for Gad is also supported by Bible scriptures. Keep reading to discover 7 common management techniques for stress and anxiety. Each technique is supported by Bible references.

7 Scriptural-based Anxiety/Stress Management Techniques

1. Stay in the present.

Stop dwelling your thoughts on what could or will occur later.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34, BSB).

You must not dwell on painful memories from your past.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” (Isaiah 43:18, NIV).

2. Re-think your thoughts.

Recognize when negativity is overtaking your thoughts.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8, ESB).

Focus on spiritual solutions to whatever problem you are facing.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6, NIV).

Avoid obsessing about, and trying to solve the problems of other adults.
“We pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, GNT).

3. Take a break.

Take some time to relax.
“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat” (Mark 6:31, NLT).

4. Exercise often and eat a healthy diet.

Get moving so that you can fulfill your God-given purpose.
“Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19, ASV).

Work diligently at breaking your bad habits of consuming unhealthy foods and beverages (i.e. sugar, fast food, excessive carbs). Try eliminating one thing for 21 days, then move on to the next. Never give up!
“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church” (Ephesians 5:29, KJV):

5. Laugh and find joy.

Find something funny to read, watch or think about each day.
“Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time” (Proverbs 17:22, GNT).

Having time alone with God each day will give you joy even during your difficult days.
“So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure” (Psalm 32:11, NLT)!

6. Accept and admit your personal struggles.

Get needed help through your pastor, medical professionals, support groups, etc.
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap” (Luke 21:34 , NIV).

7. Practice intentional prayer and meditation each day.

Rather than just going through the habit of praying each day, focus on the communication process. When praying, talk to God, then quietly listen as God speaks to you. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NASB).

Finally..

This information should not replace the medical advice of your health care professional. SDT is a faith-based organization that offers Christian counseling through Biblical-based practices.

God bless. We’re praying for your peace.

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