Stories of Survival

Anonymous

Colon Cancer
Elizabethton, TN

There are dates you will never forget... your birthday, your graduation from school, the time you were married, and many more important dates. One that I will always remember is March 6, 1992. On this date, I had surgery for a malignant tumor in my rectum.

Being a minister (pastor of Big Springs Baptist Church, Elizabethton), I had always been on the other side of the fence. Now, I was experiencing what many of my members had gone through in previous years of my ministry. The one that tried to help others was now in need of help himself.

I knew that I could count on my wife and family. Being married for 32 years, I had the assurance that Anita, my wife, would be by my side in the days to come. However, 31 days after my operation, the doctors found a malignant tumor in my wife's colon. What would we do now? Being Christians, we continued to trust in God. Anita and I knew that He would meet our needs. This became a reality as soon as our friends heard about our sickness. Church after church placed us on their prayer lists, friends began to call, send cards, give money, and came to see Anita and me. God showed us that not only did He save us but He would continue to be with us and meet our every need.

I am very thankful for doctors and nurses that care about their patients. I will always be indebted to Dr. Rao, Dr. Lamb, Dr. Fenner, Dr. Thur de Koos and their staff for their personal interest in my well being. I will always remember them not only as doctors but as my FRIENDS!

In the process of recovery, I am taking 48 chemo treatments at McLeod Cancer and Blood Center. Dr. Lamb and his staff are doing a wonderful job. They are very concerned about each patient and are willing to do all that they can to help us.

One final thought... if you have cancer or should come down with it, accept it and claim God's promise. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Trust God, family, friends and the doctors. Have and keep the faith! You will surely need the above... just ask Harold Mains.

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