Cancer Made Me Beautiful

The diagnosis is Lymphoma Cancer. These were the words spoken to me in June, 2005 that changed the trajectory of my life forever. They were the very words I feared most, so naturally they were also the words that shook me to my core. I was about to begin a journey with an unknown outcome, not to mention hidden twists and turns. Every part of my being, and who I thought I was; was about to be tested. And I didn't know if I had what it took to pass the examination. Over the next year I would experience an increase in my love of family, belief in self and my level of faith. Life as I once knew it would be no more. The critical questions that had to be answered were; what was lymphoma and why was it attacking me? I knew the enemy called Cancer hovered over us all, lying in wait to devour who and what it could. But this particular form of cancer called lymphoma, I knew nothing about. Where did it come from? What was its cause? And most of all, what had I done that permitted it to enter my life? It was all a mystery; requiring research, study and prayer in an attempt to unravel and debunk its power. This book has been in the making for the last five years. While finally putting pen to paper (Nov 2010), I am celebrating my 5th anniversary of completion of treatment, placing me officially on the remission list. But in looking back over the experience, as well as sitting by the bedside of others stricken by the disease of cancer, I realize that there are some feelings that we all experience at one point or another - Depression, Anger, Fear and Hopelessness. It was difficult for me to accept my calling to write such a book or to move forward with the process of writing. After all, I was just an everyday woman who had given her life to Christ and allowed Him to heal and deliver her. I did not have a major platform, nor was I in the public eye. So who would listen to me? Nevertheless, my hesitancy and apprehension did not matter to God. Though the writing process was slow and long in coming; I had to take a deep breath, say my prayers and finally, literally, be pushed into this process. I recognized that people with cancer, no matter the type, faced the same obstacles as anyone else striving for recovery. I believed that although we attempt to separate recovery into categories; such as weight loss, alcohol, drugs or illness, the steps taken to achieve full recovery are the same. Since my experience or road to recovery came through Cancer, I knew it would have to be the recovery platform from which I had to speak. This book not only gives you a glimpse into the journey of a cancer survivor, but also lays out a detailed and practical plan for bringing balance back into your life and restoring you to your purpose. Cancer Made Me Beautiful deals directly and powerfully with the spiritual and psychological barriers that stand in the way of our recovery on all levels when confronted with the harsh realities of life. Cancer Made Me Beautiful provides sensible, usable and even enjoyable steps you can use to overcome your fears, anxiety and other negative emotions; transforming them into life-affirming behaviors. No longer will you see your life in fragments. You will begin to see the whole picture that will allow you to live in your own power and restore your life's balance.