I shared this on social media this week and wanted to share it with you, the wonderful Inspired by Life and Fiction community, too. . .
I’ve had my hands so full with this privately that I haven’t felt the tug to share this publicly until now—at the start of this new year. (I’ve never been so happy to see one year end or so grateful to welcome a new year with new hope.)
In February of 2023, I went in for my annual mammogram. I wasn’t too worried when they notified me that I’d need a follow-up mammogram, because I’d experienced that in the past and received good results. But this time, the second mammogram led to an ultrasound. Which led to a biopsy. Which brought the news, on April Fool’s Day of all days, that the small tumor (which had shown up on just one, single slide of that initial mammogram) was cancerous.
At the time when I received that news, I was going about my regular life. No health concerns. Feeling great. It was a challenge to wrap my head around it. “I have cancer? How? No, this can’t be right,” gradually became, “I have cancer.”
Genetic testing, an MRI, and decisions followed. Then came, on Cinco de Mayo of all days, lumpectomy surgery. After that, they tested lymph nodes and the tumor and determined that my treatment would include 20 sessions of radiation therapy.
I began radiation in mid-June. My body was dealing with it reasonably well until I came down with severe nausea after treatment #7. They ran tests and discovered I had strep throat. Radiation + strep + heavy antibiotics ended up equaling weeks of sickness while I struggled through the final 13 radiation sessions.
At the end of all that, I went in for a mammogram and the news came back saying that the doctors saw, “No areas of concern.”
Praise God!
Since then, I’ve been on medication and my doctors will continue to monitor me closely via twice-yearly mammograms and frequent office visits.
All that to say . . .
2023 was a HARD year for me. It was scary and stressful and physically taxing. I spent many days last year waiting for test results and wrestling with the uncertainty of “not knowing”.
At this point on this journey . . .
Do I think God is good? YES. More than ever.
Do I think God can be trusted? YES. More than ever.
He showed me His love, power, and provision in a hundred ways. He renewed my reliance on Him. He gave me a fresh understanding of how each day of life is a gift. He gave me His peace. He reminded me about the things that matter and the things that honestly don’t. And He graciously blessed me with big joys in and around the struggles.
Ya’ll! A year before this diagnosis, He guided me to indie-publish my current series. Which meant I had no contractual deadlines in 2023. I was free to write whenever I felt up to it. Also far before this diagnosis, I booked a 30th anniversary trip for our family to Europe. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that the trip ended up falling at the absolute PERFECT TIME between surgery and radiation. Which meant I was able to go and experience that with my husband and children.
My surgery took place just a week before my oldest daughter’s college graduation. But because the surgery had a relatively quick recovery time, my doctor gave the go-ahead for me to travel, and I was able to sit in the arena and cheer for her as she received her diploma.
I always knew I’d share this widely when the Lord prompted me to do so because 1) I want to sing His praises and 2) I’d like to gently encourage you to keep up with your mammograms. I’m very, very thankful that my tumor was detected early.
“The LORD is good and his gracious love stands forever. His faithfulness remains from generation to generation.” Psalm 100:5 I don’t know what the future holds, but I know He will be there. And that is everything.
Happy new year with love, Becky XO XO
Becky Wade
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Happy New Year Becky and Praise be to God!!! Not only for your healing, but for ALL things – Early detection, medical treatments, spiritual and physical strength for you & your family, as well as the comfort of God’s presence, His guidance, and the knowledge that He was (and is) with you and in control the entire time.
Thank you for sharing with us and may God continue to bless you in all ways!
Thank you so much!
God’s faithfulness and kindness are never ending, as are his loving compassion and grace. Bless you, friend! I loved hearing even more about this difficult but ultimately encouraging and faith-building journey. I continue to pray for your health and healing, and for your words to flow as you seek to lift him up. You’re such an encouragement.
“God’s faithfulness and kindness are never ending, as are his loving compassion and grace.” Yes. So thankful for that truth.
That word….. CANCER….. is scary….. just to hear it!! Then to read your experience is HUGE! Thank you so much for sharing with us today. I’ve been reading your books for some time, and I think about how much pleasure they have given me over time. Then to read your cancer account and really know what you were enduring while writing your wonderful books….it shows me how God REALLY DOES use us for His honor and glory.
Thank you for “keeping on, keeping on” thru it all.
Thank You God for bringing Becky thru this life changing experience, so that she can, and does continue to tell we, her readers, what YOU can and will do I. Our lives as well.
“God REALLY DOES use us for His honor and glory” Amen!! He really does.
Dear Becky, (my sister’s name also!)
I read your posts regularly but have never commented to any of the authors. Today I’m replying to you to say thanks for sharing your journey. When I was 56, I had the same surgery in 1999 and have been cancer-free all these years! Praise God! I also had radiation – 36 sessions, and chemo before that. I also look back on that year and see God’s Hand and His blessings so clearly. Two years ago my daughter at the age of 44 had a double mastectomy followed by chemo, and she is doing great! God has brought many ladies on our paths and we’ve been blessed to minister to them on their journey. My verse for that journey has been Romans 12:12: “Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” And, yes, we always encourage regular mammograms! You are in my prayeres. Your friend, Susan Gallion
It’s so encouraging to me to read your story and your daughter’s story and to hear that you’re both doing so well, Susan. Thank you for sharing. 🙂 I love that your verse for this experience is Romans 12:12. Amen to that! And I love that you’ve been able to minister to so many others. God really does redeem our suffering by enabling us to minister to others going through the same suffering, doesn’t He? It’s meant a lot to me to have friends who’ve walked this path and can relate.
Becky, I’m so thankful for the way God has carried you through. These kinds of stories are an encouragement even for those who haven’t walked this path but know that it certainly could be in our future or the future of a loved one someday. I’m storing up hope and joy and trust for that future day and praising the Lord for His kindness to you and your willingness to share it with us.
Thank you, Deb!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey and your faith! While I personally have not experienced cancer, I know so many who have and will have a better idea of how to pray for them. I will pray for your continued health and for your continued writing ministry!
I really appreciate prayer! Thank you, Suzanne.
Continuing to pray for you. In Feb., I will be a 19 years breast cancer survivor. Praise the Lord! 🙂
Praise the Lord!!! It’s a joy for me to hear from breast cancer survivors who are doing so wonderfully well.
What a hard journey, yet one filled with victory and blessing. Praise God not only for your recovery but for his presence beside you every step of the way! I know your story will encourage many, Becky. Thank you for being vulnerable enough to share it.
It DOES feel vulnerable to share it. But it also felt necessary to do so. I’m trusting that God will use my story for good. 🙂
Oh, Becky. Loved reading this. Having walked a very similar cancer journey (and last month celebrating 13 years cancer free), I can join you in declaring His faithfulness and praising His goodness. I love how He orchestrated your writing and travels to fit what was coming, well before you knew what was coming.
I love that, too! In the moment and now looking back, I MARVEL at how He went before and orchestrated the details and the timing.
Thank you for sharing your story! I can see God’s hand as you related each step of this journey. Praying for your continued recovery and strength. You are an inspiration.
Blessings!
Thanks, Betty! It’s wonderful when God let’s us see His hand, isn’t it?
Thank you for sharing, Becky! When my daughter went through her cancer journey at age 19 I kept a log of how God showed up, and He showed up every single day in big, small and unexpected ways. I can look back at that log and remember how faithful our God is!
What a blessing! It’s such a faith-builder to witness that–the Lord showing up in “big, small, and unexpected ways”. Yes!
Becky, I’m so sorry you’ve had to endure this, but thank you for sharing your story. You never know what someone is going through and I really appreciate you sharing this with us. It is such an encouragment to see your walk in faith and glorifying God in it all.
That was my hope, Shelley. That my story would encourage others. Hugs!
Thank you for sharing such a personal journey. God is good! He placed you exactly where you needed to be for all of these events to unfold, even down to the no-contracts, trip to Europe, watching your daughter graduate. Our God is an awesome God! So glad you are beyond this and taking steps to keep a close watch on it.
” He placed you exactly where you needed to be” Yes, exactly! It’s astonishing and wonderful when He shows up in ways we can clearly discern.
Thank you for sharing your journey. I’m so glad you are better. And yes, God is so good!!
You’re welcome, Rebecca 🙂
Thank you for your vulnerability and testimony. I praise God for a good report at the end of all your trials.
Yes! Praising Him for sure.
What an inspiration to hear your story and how God worked things out up to and through your difficult time. Thank you for sharing your story and how God was such a blessing to you and how you are stronger for it.
You’re so welcome!
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so sorry you had to face this, but your faith shines through it all. I pray that your new year is filled with love and joy and good health!
Thanks, Tama! I’m hoping for the very same from 2024. 🙂
Oh, Becky….I am so very sorry you’ve been through this, but THANK YOU for sharing about your journey with others. I strongly believe that the trials God allows us to experience can be used to greatly help others later on (I’ve seen that firsthand in my own life).
Mammograms are SO important, and for several years I’ve had a “personal mission” to encourage my female friends to be sure and have their annual screening.
I am adding you to my prayer list and will pray for healthy, happy days (and years!) ahead. Sending gentle hugs from rainy Georgia, Patti Jo
Thanks so much for adding me to your prayer list, Patti Jo! “I strongly believe that the trials God allows us to experience can be used to greatly help others later on” YES! I strongly believe this, too.
Thank you for sharing your story. 🙏 Will pray for continued healing and good health. So grateful for God’s goodness and grace.
Yes, so grateful!
God is good! I’m so happy that you are cancer free. The C word is terrifying and you handled it with grace and faith.
God is good!