Why did I get breast cancer and what's God got to do with it?

Brenda5
Brenda5 Member Posts: 2,423
Initially on my diagnosis that's what I wondered. What the heck, God, what's going on? How can I bear this cancer? Will I survive? Here's what I found out. I could bear the treatment and I did survive and some pretty cool miracles happened along the way.
I found my father. Mum had lost contact with my dad when I was two so she went off and married another man. My dad was already married when I was conceived, oops, he forgot to tell my mum that bit of info in their relationship. The other man legally adopted me and he died of cancer in his stomach when I was 13 years old. Mum remarried 18 months later but I was becoming independent by then and only had a few months with them when I started working at 16 and moved away from home.
Mum only told me I had a real biological father when she tracked me down at 25 years old and asked me to forgive her for hiding it from me, as she had become a born again Christian during our estrangement. Unfortunately, she didn't remember his name correctly and I was never able to find him. Enter, the breast cancer diagnosis. Mum correctly remembered my fathers name then and I did a google search for him. He had been in the army but his files were hidden from public viewing and he is not listed on any electoral roles.
Someone was researching her lineage of dads first wife and dads name came up as her husband. It also said there were two children from that marriage. A boy two years older than me and a daughter about 8 weeks younger than me.
I asked my mum and she confirmed that was my dad and yes that was the names of the children. I thought the boys name was a pretty common one so not much chance of finding him but the daughters name wasn't so common and I wondered (a long shot I know) if she was listed on face book under her maiden name? There was one name like that on there so I private messaged her and asked if her father was my fathers name. She said yes, Brenda, we have been looking for you for years! They couldn't find me because of the adoption laws.How's that for a miracle?
Then she said, dad lives across the road from her and her mum. Another miracle, getting tingly yet? She gave me his telephone number and we talked right through my chemo months and as soon as I was well enough, I travelled interstate to meet him. I never did get to meet that sister as she was out each time I was visiting but my brother two years older than me was there and don't tell him but he looks like Richard Gere, very good looking. I have since met another sister, only 40 years old from a second marriage and another brother as well! I have nephews and nieces galore too.
I recognised something familiar about dad deep down when we met and when he laughs it also gives me a familiar feeling I have heard it before. Dad got diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in his bones after I was finished treatment so I gave him encouragement and tips on chemo all last year. How is that not God in there too?
In December dad was sick of chemo and came up to Qld to visit us and ended up staying nearly a month. When he went home he got very depressed and lonely. Then a unit came vacant for rent, beach front, two doors from us and I rang him up and told him about it. He said "mine!" We went down with the car and trailer and came back full on a Sunday and back again on the Thursday and trailer full again, this time with dad in the car too. He was moving to Queensland.
Mum has since met dad and confirms yes it is my dad, although a lot smaller and less muscley than in his army days. He was also SAS which mum didn't know and where dad had disappeared to for years and is why his army files are hidden from public viewing. Thank goodness for the lady who was heritage tracing. I have since emailed and thanked her. My husband says dad and I are so similar in everything it is scary. Like two peas in a pod.
Where God is leading us with all this is anyone's guess but so far its been a heck of a ride! <3

Comments

  • SoldierCrab
    SoldierCrab Member Posts: 3,445
    @Brenda5 God brings us to the most amazing things at the right time.... 
    My son got his licence the week I was diagnosed meaning he became the designated driver etc.... I had moved into a house with a beautiful sunroom just about 6 mths prior to my diagnosis,  we left that house 12 mths after my treatment finished. I grieved really badly on the last day in the house it was like I was leaving the cancer and the pain of treatment etc behind me. 
    God is an amazing God, He loves us unconditionally and from my diagnosis and treatment my 2 boys with autism learnt to be more independent something that has been a struggle previously but it has helped me to see they will survive when I am no longer with them.... I expect that to be years away from now... 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2XHCpLFtxo&index=6&list=PLit1Jq891Lz_ac_xCfv8ekS8vjopg5UxO  these are some lovely you tube videos I have them on my itunes ... JOEY  passed away last year from Breast Cancer.
  • au0rei
    au0rei Member Posts: 248
    Hi @Brenda5 @Soldier Crab :)I did not know there is such a thread.

    Both of you have gone through a hard time and it's so encouraging to see that you are continually trusting God. It's been a shock to get diagnosed last Dec under circumstances beyond me (on first day of holiday) but I know God has intervened in that circumstance for sure, for I was still working back home I would not ever detect the lump before it was too late. I am thankful but must admit it was a big curve ball and a wild ride since. But I realised I could have never survived without my faith in Him. It's hard to trust Him at times, I do struggle but His word really keeps me afloat.

    During this time, I have learnt far more than I did in years and I appreciate all the lessons learnt. And many blessings flowed this time as well. I am so blessed to have supportive friends rallying around me to help, so blessed to have my mum fly over to take care of things, and my relationship with my husband has seen a lot of improvement since. We are really not on good terms for a while but last year was the worst. I know God is making good a situation that seemed bad.

    Let's continue to trust Him.

    Sharing this video which a friend shared :smile:

    https://youtu.be/QZTWNnQg9eI

  • Victoria1
    Victoria1 Member Posts: 5
    Hi everyone. I am really new to all this. I have recently in the last week been diagnosed with Early Breast Cancer!. Was & Is a shock!. (Am still trying to get my head around it all!)
  • SoldierCrab
    SoldierCrab Member Posts: 3,445
    Welcome @Victoria1 it is a shock when we are first diagnosed for us all.  Breathe take your time. Know that God is with you as you have got on the roller coaster ride called Breast Cancer and its associated treatments. 
    Do you have a My Journey Kit ?  you can order one on here https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/
    Do you have a local McGrath breast cancer nurse?

    Ask questions either here on the general forum and you will get some incredible supportive women answering you.
    Alice aka Soldiercrab 
  • Brenda5
    Brenda5 Member Posts: 2,423
    Welcome @Victoria1. Got nothing nice to say about cancer so I wont say anything at all apart from all the love and encouragement in my heart to you. <3
  • au0rei
    au0rei Member Posts: 248
    Hi @Victoria1... God is good! Cancer is the mountain. We shall speak it to uproot and drown in the ocean! Recently I have been learning to speak to my mountains - fear anxiety cancer etc! We have the mind and spirit of Christ. We can do all things through him who gives us strength. May God's love and peace surround you during this time. And post if you need to rant or vent or any support. xxx
  • Brenda5
    Brenda5 Member Posts: 2,423
    Glad I made this thread as I needed to read it myself for encouragement this morning. Woke up feeling blah and sort of wondered why am I still here and not in Heaven?
    My family still needs me I guess but sometimes I think I am more of a burden than a help nowadays. Just keep on I guess. <3
  • SoldierCrab
    SoldierCrab Member Posts: 3,445
    @Brenda5 Girl you got purpose you have family who need you ... sometimes we forget that God changes our roles in life, as things change.I know your boys and hubby love you and they want to see you flourish with this life after cancer. But it takes time, I know taken me 5 years to feel even a bit like before I had cancer. I cant do the things I used to do prior to cancer, my gardening my heavy cleaning etc. but I have learnt to let go of that and allow my family to grow by learning that it is a team effort. 

    Hugs 
    Soldier Crab



  • Molly001
    Molly001 Member Posts: 419
    @Brenda5 Sorry you're feeling down today. Ripples on water... you are touching lives far further than you realise. Don't underestimate how significant you are. Trust His plan for you.
  • au0rei
    au0rei Member Posts: 248
    God's Holy Spirit lives within us and His fruit is love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self control. We are usually living in our physical and emotional sphere. We need to start living in the spirit by connecting with Him in spirit and in truth. This is something which I am learning recently. It's been exciting! I am praying that God open the eyes of my heart to have more and more revelations of his love and truth!

    Hey why does God want us in heaven prematurely? The Bible says we are meant to live a long life here at least 70-80 if we desire more we can ask Him! He needs us to be here on earth to touch more lives than in heaven where we will just be worshipping Him, no more evangelism!

    Sometimes I get tired emotionally and physically and wish He would just take me in my sleep LOL! But I know He has a greater plan for me. It's so good to spend time with Him in worship and digging into His Word to get refreshed and rejuvenated!

    And do you know that you have the authority to speak to your tired body in the Name of Jesus?! Try it, believe it and it will work! I have had times recently when I rebuked the stiffness in my knees and sore neck muscles, and they left! We have faith in the Name of Jesus for our physical healing!!!

    I cannot post links here they get deleted! Please search Youtube for Andrew Wommack's teachings such as 'God wants you well', 'Spirit, Soul and Body' and be transformed by the renewing of our minds!!! Praise God!
  • BarbieAnne
    BarbieAnne Member Posts: 174
    @Brenda5, don't know how I missed your initial thread in March. I was very excited for you when I read it. Then read your comment for 28th. I reckon it is good to be able to reflect back over our own writings for encouragement/comfort.
      Hope that you are in a better place today and that the Lord has touched you anew with His love and care.
    Did a bit of reflection of my experience of the first 12 months of my diagnosis and shared my experience with ladies from my church at a girls night in last night. It was quite cathartic to know how far I had travelled in that time and how through God's love I have come to accept my circumstances. 
    God bless .
  • SoldierCrab
    SoldierCrab Member Posts: 3,445
    @au0rei
    Why cant you post links ? 
  • au0rei
    au0rei Member Posts: 248
    I was told that it can affect other members' decisions on eg their treatment.
  • au0rei
    au0rei Member Posts: 248
    Ladies, i am hardpressed for time but I have learnt some really tremendous things about God. If Jesus is the way truth and life, then our life here on earth is not about just accepting our circumstances. We can rise up above our circumstances and soar like eagle because Jesus has already conquerored it all. We are promised persecution for our faith and there will be tribulation by the evil to try to destroy our faith and steal our seed. It's hard for me to type everything down here but I wish for you ladies to know the true Truth and be set free. Please please Andrew Wommack's teachings are free on youtube please look for his videos and watch. I promise you they will transform your life. I am flying off to Sydney to attend the Grace Conference on Thurs. I can't wait to hear God's truth and be set free from any deception which the evil one uses on people. He is the father of all lies! You are blessed!!!