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Rock Bottom News and Moved Mountains

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Did I create it?

Did I inherit it?

Did I cause it?

Did I deserve it?

2024 has been a ‘stretching” year for us, like pulled paper thin kinda stretching.

2024:

  • Our work building unexpectedly flooded putting our offices out of commission for months, displacing us back home (which post covid is pretty isolating and unhealthy for some of us #thisgirl)
  • We packed up our whole house to move into my Dad’s home to help him
  • We literally moved back a month later because it wasn’t a practical living situation
  • I developed pneumonia for the first time ever that was persistent as H-E-L-L and would not clear after 34 days of antibiotics
  • We had to put our 11 yr old fur baby Teddy down
  • My niece was fighting battles, my Dad was falling, my father-in-law was in and out of hospital and continues to fluctuate, family relationships felt tense, we felt financially crunched…
  • We were already fragile, exhausted, and stretched so very thin

And then I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

For any of my life’s personal complacency, complaints or resentments, of all of the things I have ever taken for granted or stopped seeing the value in, I have NEVER wanted to live my life more than when I felt it was being taken away from me.  NEVER before has more value been placed on the gift of MY life then when I was about to lose it.

In between the biopsy confirmation, different scans and my first Oncologist appointment, it was like either being suspended in mid-air, hanging on a thread of unbelievability or being cut off at the knees and gutted in facedown paralysis…it was nights of fervent prayer, total surrender, reflection, fear, overwhelming sadness and disbelief.  The time between diagnosis and prognosis was such a fragile time – that period of unknown where we spent hours clinging to desperate hope.

There were just a small circle of friends and family we could share this unknowningness and vulnerability with.  I feel like I need to call them out by name, because these people were the ones that held us, cradled us, PRAYED for us…my Dad, Beena, Jeffreys, Jessica, Julianne, Jackson, Suma, Suja, Sheeba, Reni, Beryl, Sheeba, Blessie, Betsy, Tobie, Louise, Teresa, Christa, Verity, Leesila, Kay, Benny, Bobby, Dan,  Sibi, Anita, Sharon, Geoff and Brenda.

J and I hadn’t been to Church in, I don’t know how many years, since covid? I couldn’t remember the last time I prayed.  My relationship with God had been almost completely severed, so different from my childhood and teen years.  But at rock bottom, in those darkest nights, He met me again. It was literally the only hope I had, the faith that was reignited in my old bones.  And I felt so covered in prayer. I received texts and messages about being desperately prayed for, “knees on the ground with arms in the air” kinda praying. I received messages from friends imagining God “erasing” the cancer from my body while they prayed.  In  that period of unknowingness, I really felt my name lifted to God; and what could be more precious and more loving than people banding on one’s behalf to the one who could intervene?  Aside from my rock solid husband who remained anchored in faith and devotion for me; these prayer warriors saved me, because God heard and spared me.

On June 27, 2024 we received the news that my stage four cancer (which would normally have a prognosis of five to ten months) genetically tested and put me in a 3-5% range of people who have a specific mutation to their cells that would allow for treatment by way of oral medication; a third generation drug that had just been approved in Canada three weeks prior.  No chemo, no radiation and a prognosis of years of extended life; not months.  We were told this oral medication would not cure my cancer, but in essence would shut the cancer cells down, prevent them from spreading and allow me to live normally again….that God willing, thanks to cancer research and huge advancements that maybe medication could make cancer a chronic treatable (not terminal) condition like diabetes in the foreseeable future. I walked away that day with a bottle of pills and unbridled joy.

I’m not a lucky person.  If you gave me a 3-5% chance of winning the lottery, I wouldn’t buy a ticket.  This wasn’t luck or chance, this was a miracle. Prayer works.  There is a God and He is still listening.  This was the last thing I was ever expecting to hear from the Doctor.  I was stunned and dumbfounded; then completely surrendered and humbled.  This was a direct answer to prayer, and to be able to go back and share the news so that we all could share in this revelation of answered prayer was UNREAL.  It was like we had all held hands and witnessed a moving of a mountain together in 2024.

And so here we are. I still am processing all of this, still moving through all of this and adjusting and reregulating with these new meds.  There are times that I think CANCER and freeze – but the other day I thought of the story of Lazarus (John 11) and how after being brought back to life by Jesus, Lazarus could have remained stuck on his death, ruminated and grieved on his dying.  But put in perspective, though it’s the devastation that breaks us, it is the miracle that gives us life again. And Life Again, is different than just life because it comes with newness, vigor, gratitude, brighter eyes and biggest hope.  I feel held and cared for, scared and hopeful.  I feel loved and so so grateful for this crazy course correction that death almost claimed, but indeed brought me back to life instead #lazarus <3

32 Responses

  1. Proud of you. We have been praying for you every night. Keri’s dad passed away last year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Diagnosis to death was 6 months. At the end all we have is the cross where Christ shed his blood.
    Love you.

    Reply

  2. Beautiful testimony!! Isn’t God so good! Such an understatement I know …but so happy you’re doing well. TL Osborn wrote a book called healing the sick and it’s the most amazing book I’ve ever read, apart from the Bible. I highly recommend it!

    Reply

  3. Wow Betty, what a journey. To truly know that you are so precious and loved is the most important thing in this life. Thank you for sharing your miracle straight from the heart. Love and strength to you.

    Reply

  5. Dear Betty, We are so sorry to hear about this diagnosis. We had no idea what you were going through. After reading your entire post, we are full of hope for your recovery. Your faith in God and ability to accept the current reality are simply amazing. We are so hopeful about this medication you are taking. Love and hugs.

    Reply

  6. You are walking testimony of our God, His faithfulness, His unconditional love and His supernatural healing powers. As always very well written, continued prayers for you and Jason. Love you guys so very much, thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  7. Wow Betty, beautifully written. What a great testimony of your faith (the ups and downs). God is so good!

    Reply

  8. Hi Betty
    I am totally shocked to hear this and sorry for what you have been going through. I can’t imagine. I am rooting for your recovery and health. Thank you so much for sharing this with us along with your incredible faith. Sending you so much love and prayers ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply

  9. Oh wow Betty, well written indeed. It brought tears to my eyes. Our hearts and prayers are with you and Jason during this time. We are with you in this fight always! Alison and Wayne

    Reply

  10. Betty,
    Although hearing of your diagnosis was shocking and sad, I loved your perspective on an true awakening. God bless. You are worthy of this gift.
    Michelle Schneider

    Reply

  11. Betty, I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Your approach to life and connection to God will be so positive in your relationship with this disease. I am so relieved to hear of a medication to help you through this and wish you many years of joy ahead. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
    Maureen

    Reply

  13. I am so, so very proud of you ❤️ and so thankful to God for this miraculous blessing of continued health and life. Love you so much Betsy, and you know you have a permanent place in my prayers as well❤️❤️.

    Reply

  14. You are such a strong woman Betty and a real inspiration of hope and faith. I will pray for your continued health and wish you all the hapiness in life as it is so deserved. An incredible miracle has been given and restores faith and belief. You are a beautiful soul Betty❤️

    Reply

  15. Betty I read your story to Ken and we both are so sorry to hear of your struggles. Your message resinated with me and my relationship with god lately. Thank you for sharing and I pray your light continues to shine on all those around you no matter what. 💕

    Reply

  16. God is good all the time.What an awesome God we serve. Touching Testimony Betty. Our Lord is a great healer. Have Faith and Trust in him.Our creator knows what is best for us and never ever leave us alone. Prayers assured Dear. Love you

    Reply

  17. Dearest Betty,

    It’s Good Friday, 2025, At 8pm someone just called and told me she heard something about you.

    As the news hit my heart, I didn’t want to believe this. As I read your CSBG which I do remember from time to time, it’s evident that you have laid your beautiful writing and your soul all out.

    I’m going to keep reading as I still can get access lol and hope that you’ll accept my call or text in the next coming days. From this, it seems you have an amazing rally of support but I just want you to know, I’m thinking about you and your strength is magical. 💕💕💕💕

    Reply

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