Testimonies
Monda Hafley
Written February 5, 2008
Monda Hafley
The
following is from my journal: August 27, 2007, 4:30 pm - the telephone
call came to notify me that yes, I do have breast cancer. In some
ways, it confirmed what I already knew. When the doctor actually
said the words, the realization of the truth of what was ahead was
a shock.
I had my annual checkup in January, but it was May before I was able to schedule a mammogram. The cancer was found in the early stage. I wonder if the mammogram had been scheduled earlier, would the cancer have been seen? God's timing is perfect!
My body was trying to tell me something was wrong for some time. I kept thinking the changes I felt was due to increased work load and exercising. I should have listened closer to my body.
The "Sisters in Pink" was not an organization I planned on joining. Looking back over the last five months, this has been/is quite a ride. Originally, surgery was scheduled for October 2, 2007. I had a couple of weeks to get work in order and get myself prepared. September 7th, the surgeon's office called and said they had a time open up, could surgery be moved up to September 18th, 2:30 pm? I said "Yes, let's get this done."
While in one of the many labs I visited, there was a sign on the door that read, "Whenever God closes a door, He always opens another, even though sometimes it's hell in the hallway". How true that has turned out to be. God has been and is with me as I am walking this hallway. There is light coming in from the door ahead.
Through all of this, I have held on to the song, "How Great Is Our God". I have no idea how may times I have sang that song out loud and to myself as procedures were/are being done.
All the prayers, cards, meals, etc. have just overwhelmed me through this time. I am so thankful for the love and concern that has come my way. I am thankful for the peace I have felt. How I know God is always with me no matter what is taking place. He held my hand through radiation. He sat beside me during all chemo treatments. He held me in his arms when multi nurses and doctors couldn't find a vein to do the procedure that "had to be done".
If there was a store that sold energy, I would have been first in line. I find myself asking, "Where did it go?" Now and then I can feel my anxiety level trying to rise. I try to continually rest in God's peace knowing He will never leave me or forsake me.
It has been and still is a long ride. I have completed radiation and chemo. The effects of chemo are still with me, but I am claiming I am getting stronger each day. Thankful for cancer? No! Thankful for the sweet time God and I are having? Yes!
I am always trying to remember, I am not going through this alone. My husband, Bill has been an outstanding nurse. Sometimes, too good! He has been with me to every doctor appointment, sat with me during procedures that they would allow, cooked my meals, looked in my eyes and told me to "go take a nap."
My mother and sisters live 660 miles away. They each have busy lives and were not able to be with me except for a short time each during these days. We talk a lot by phone and I have tried to relate what is going on and how I feel.
My younger sister asked that I keep a journal through this experience so her daughter, my sweet niece, would have it for the future. I am glad I am doing so. I have looked back and read over the months and it is an encouragement to see how far we have come.
My prayer through all of this is that God would be glorified in how I respond to all that is said and done. I have visited with patients during treatments, with medical staff, and with families of those that are sick. My prayer has been, "as You go with me through this hallway, may You be praised."
We serve a good God and I am thankful each day for what he is bringing me through. He is my Healer.
Monda HafleyI had my annual checkup in January, but it was May before I was able to schedule a mammogram. The cancer was found in the early stage. I wonder if the mammogram had been scheduled earlier, would the cancer have been seen? God's timing is perfect!
My body was trying to tell me something was wrong for some time. I kept thinking the changes I felt was due to increased work load and exercising. I should have listened closer to my body.
The "Sisters in Pink" was not an organization I planned on joining. Looking back over the last five months, this has been/is quite a ride. Originally, surgery was scheduled for October 2, 2007. I had a couple of weeks to get work in order and get myself prepared. September 7th, the surgeon's office called and said they had a time open up, could surgery be moved up to September 18th, 2:30 pm? I said "Yes, let's get this done."
While in one of the many labs I visited, there was a sign on the door that read, "Whenever God closes a door, He always opens another, even though sometimes it's hell in the hallway". How true that has turned out to be. God has been and is with me as I am walking this hallway. There is light coming in from the door ahead.
Through all of this, I have held on to the song, "How Great Is Our God". I have no idea how may times I have sang that song out loud and to myself as procedures were/are being done.
All the prayers, cards, meals, etc. have just overwhelmed me through this time. I am so thankful for the love and concern that has come my way. I am thankful for the peace I have felt. How I know God is always with me no matter what is taking place. He held my hand through radiation. He sat beside me during all chemo treatments. He held me in his arms when multi nurses and doctors couldn't find a vein to do the procedure that "had to be done".
If there was a store that sold energy, I would have been first in line. I find myself asking, "Where did it go?" Now and then I can feel my anxiety level trying to rise. I try to continually rest in God's peace knowing He will never leave me or forsake me.
It has been and still is a long ride. I have completed radiation and chemo. The effects of chemo are still with me, but I am claiming I am getting stronger each day. Thankful for cancer? No! Thankful for the sweet time God and I are having? Yes!
I am always trying to remember, I am not going through this alone. My husband, Bill has been an outstanding nurse. Sometimes, too good! He has been with me to every doctor appointment, sat with me during procedures that they would allow, cooked my meals, looked in my eyes and told me to "go take a nap."
My mother and sisters live 660 miles away. They each have busy lives and were not able to be with me except for a short time each during these days. We talk a lot by phone and I have tried to relate what is going on and how I feel.
My younger sister asked that I keep a journal through this experience so her daughter, my sweet niece, would have it for the future. I am glad I am doing so. I have looked back and read over the months and it is an encouragement to see how far we have come.
My prayer through all of this is that God would be glorified in how I respond to all that is said and done. I have visited with patients during treatments, with medical staff, and with families of those that are sick. My prayer has been, "as You go with me through this hallway, may You be praised."
We serve a good God and I am thankful each day for what he is bringing me through. He is my Healer.
Written February 5, 2008